Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-29
Cerro Gordo County Leads Off
With HOO Members and
Big Rally
GOVERNOR AND PRoUTY SPEAK
Crowded House and Enthusiastic Re-
ception Accorded the Senatorial Can
didate and His Eloquent Friend -
Local Politicians Could Not Help
Discussing Senatorial Possibilities.
Special to Times Republican

Special to Times Republican
Mason CITY, Jan. Ex-Governor Cum
Minis delivered his initial speech of the
campaign at the Wilson opera house
the formation Of Il Cummins club III
Cerro Gordo county Of over LOO mem
bers. Almost every seat in the house
was taken. The governor spoke for
half an hour and was followed by
Judge Prouty of Des Moines, who de-
livered the principal address. holding
his audience for two hours longer.
In the afternoon both men spoke
briefly at an informal meeting in the
court house, where a number OF farm
ers and others heard them.
The rally was the occasion of
gathering of progressives from neigh
boring counties and senatorial politics
in the Cerro Gordo Franklin Hancock
district are likely to receive develop
ments as the result of men coming to-
gether for an exchange of views.
Mr. Cummins said in part:
"Mr. Chairman, My Fellow Republic
cans and Fellow Citizens: A peremp-
tory engagement elsewhere makes II
necessary for me to leave Mason City
at an early hour this evening, and
am here mainly to greet my friends
at the beginning of a contest which
will determine who shall be elected
senator OF the United States from
Iowa by the next general assembly.
I'm the very outset, i Want 1T to be
distinctly understood that as between
any rival who may enter the coming
primary and myself the result will
be absolutely determined, so far as
am concerned, at the primary. If there
are but two candidates and | do not
receive a majority of all the republican
votes cast in the state. my successful
competitor will BE entitled to the cleo
ton and all the influence l have will
be eXerted in his behalf. If. on the
contrary I do. receive a majority Of
the republican votes cast at the pri-
mary in the state at large. 1t is to be
ponent but every other loyal republican
to abide by The decision of the voters
and to keep faith with the letter and
the spirit of the law. shall ask no
republican candidate for the general
assembly to pledge himself to vote for
me. but shall ask every republican
candidate to give to the rank and hle
Of the republican party pledge that
he will abide by the result Of the pri-
mary in the sttae at large. 1t is to be
hoped that not a single candidate VIII
lrefuse to make this promise, but If
there should be one, he will have scant
title to the support of republicans who
believe that the sovereignty Of the
state rests In the hands of the body of
the people.
Concerning my distinguished riva!
for the high honor which I am asking
at your hands. I have nothing to say,
either by way of criticism, censure or
detraction. He has had a long and
notable career Mine has not been
sotlong, but it has had storms enough
in it to cover a life time. I aclnowl-
edge freely that we are not of the same
temperament We view affairs from
different standpoint. The republic
cans of the state know both of us fair
ly well, and it is for them to determine
which type of man will be most useful
to them. await their judgment, and
will accept it with gratitude if it be
for me, and without a murmur If 1t
be against me.
"There is, however, a phase OF the
campaign which I can discuss with en-
tire propriety. Not long ago, a news
paper published in the state, and very
hostile to me, suggested that if would
wait until nature brought about a va
cancy in the senate. I might be chosen
with unanimity for the succession.
Commenting upon this suggestion.
another newspaper, still more violent
lyf antagonistic, said in substance that
could not be elected. senator at any
time or under any circumstances with
out fight, for the reason, first, that I
was not a good republican, and had
advocated dangerous heresies;. second,
that I was not safe leader, being
out of harmony with my party, and
therefore should not be entrusted with
the powers and privileges of a sem
ator.
eff the premises Of this argument
are admitted, the conclusion is unas-
sailable, and these premises present
the ground which intend to occupy
in my discussions thruout a controv-
ersy which will end on June the Sec
ond.
IT became a candidate for office in