Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-12-22
Outside Point of Wen.

The world is watching with interest,"
the big struggle now on between the
house of lords and the commons OF
England. Slight and surface observers
can easily see that it is battle be-
tween conservatives and radicals In
this country the dominant party has
just as interesting a contest on hand
between what we call standpatters and
progresives. In fact, such a lineup of
political parties is in evidence, in Rus
sia Germany and even China 1t makes
no difference by what names these
parties and divisions of parties are
called. the fight is between an element
in these nations. one believing in and
advocating the doctrine. of letting well
enough alone" i. e., to not change
things, the other seeing the need of
change hence given the names of pro-
gressives. While not entirely an exact
statement, TO all interests and purposes
it can be claimed that large majority
of so-called progressives are of the
younger class of politicians, and the
older men are largely to be found
among the conservatives.
look over our own affairs at Washing
ton. Cannon in the house, and Aldrich
in the senate are fine examples OF the
conservative. In England these men
would be in entire sympathy with the
house of lords. These men not to i'm
pugn their motives in the slightest de-
gree not only know they are right, but
they are sure they know better than
the voters, what measures are for the
best interest of the people that placed
them in office. AT some time in the
political career of Joe Cannon. he may
have been in touch with and a repre-
sentative of the people. Today he is
a self appointed guardian of the real
interests of the people. During the
last years of Speaker Henderson's po-
lftical career, in reply to a commune
cation from large number of his con-
stituents in Black Hawk county. Our
Dave wrote plainly if you only had
the means of information we have here
in Washington YOU would not make
such request. Not exactly in those
words but that was the sentiment.
Cannon and Aldrich have the same
feeling today. The people have not the
means of information. their represent
atives have, therefore really don't
know what they want or should have.
This is no screed to discuss the
merits of any public question. 1t is.
however, TO claim that these men must
give way to the progressive sentiment,
increasing in force and strength in
every hamlet in these big United
States The man. Roosevelt, set ball
rolling that has all of the character
istics of the snow ball of the school boy
in gaining in size by each revolution
Perhaps a better Illustration is that OF
a tidal wave that carries everything
before it, and leaves far inland and
forever useless. ships of the sea that
were in the path of its resistless force
The history of the world is full of the
accounts of the acts Of public men
like Bismarck. He could not bend
therefore broke.
| And all this is not saving but wha,
such men are needed in times like the
present 1t is not claiming that
Roosevelt and his policies are alto
gether perfect and need no restraint
/ There is no question but what reform
ers everywhere are extremists, and i
not opposed. go too far. The efforts ane
actions of such men as Roosevelt are
always followed by reaction. and it cal
be also admitted by unnecessary dam
age and destruction. Cannon and AL
! drich are bumpers" that stand ane
! feel the shock. but by no means do the,
have anything to do with the moving
Of the big train of progress. Ant
strangely, too, such men leave behint
them a reputation for craftsmanship
far in excess of the reformers. TIN
latter are the idols of the people Will
they live and talk reform. And still
stranger is it that given a sufficien
length OF public life. many reformer
become conservatives. Twenty year
from now. Roosevelt, if he lives, ma.
see things differently.