The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-03-31
TOWNER'S PERSONAL
ANNOUNCEMENT.

Il
To the republicans of the Eighth
Congressional District of Iowa:
| l have authorized the announce
the republican nomination for con-
gress from this district at the forth
coming June primary. A represent
ative ought to be what the name i'm
plies, the agent of the people He
should be their accredited delegate
to carry out their will With the ut
most care he should endeavor to as
certain the will of the people, and
with scrupulous fidelity he should
execute it, Unless a representative
can bring himself to an acknow-
Judgement of these elementary and
fundamental principles he will mis-
conceive his position and his rela-
ton to his constituents. The indi-
vidual opinion of candidate is
valuable chiefly as an indicator of
his ability to understand the desires
and needs of the district, and a gem
eral outline of his views is expected
in order that some idea may be form
ed of his understanding of existing
conditions.
In commencing President Taft to
his party and to the people as the
one man best fitted to succeed him
self and carry out his policies Theo-
dore Roosevelt said: "To a flaming
hatred of injustice, to scorn of all
that is base and mean, to hearty
sympathy with the oppressed, he
unites entire disinterestedness, cour-
age, both moral and physical of the
very highest type, and a kindly gen
crosby of nature which makes him
feel his fellow-countrymen are in
very truth his friends and brothers. :"
Again he said: eve have the same
views as to what is demanded by the
national interest and honor y
and the politics for which l stand
are his politics as much as mine. ;"
Few will believe that Theodore
Roosevelt was mistaken when he
wrote these words, for that would be
to discredit his intelligence. Still less
will it be believed that he was at
tempting to deceive, for that would
impeach his honesty. And now there
is no reason to disparage even such
unqualified praise. After but year
of trial, impartially tested by the
progress of reform and the prosper
ity of the people, the president is en-
ministration to our endorsement. 1t
may confidently be predicted that in
accomplished reforms, in securing
the enactment of wise laws, in the
enforcement of them and in the re-
lentless punishment of those who
violate them, in economy and effici-
ency of government the present ad-
ministration will be able to fairly
challenge comparison with any that
has preceded it,
national platform promised a revi-
sion of the tariff In fulfillment of
that promise the republicans in con-
gress framed and passed the present
law. 1t was impossible to make it
dent believed it the best that could
ment of the party pledges. While the
reductions were not as large as ex-
pected they were substantial. 1t was
necessary that the law be so framed
as to materially increase the revenue
and in this regard it is more than
meeting expectation. Under the max
imum and minimum provisions con-
ventions have already been arranged
i
which we receive their minimum
rates The board of tariff experts
provided for in the law is already at
work under the presidents direction
collecting material with view to
future revision. In order that a
more accurate knowledge on which
to act may be secured, this board
should be enlarged into a real tariff
i oNv on1 hnrooffor oh
should only be made upon the re-
ports of such commission. BY this
4 means it may be possible in the
future to avoid general revisions,
which unsettle business conditions
and lead to such unsatisfactory re-
suits. Changes may be made from
time to time on particular schedules,
with full knowledge, and, it may be
hoped, with less apprehension and
! distrust. Inequalities in the present
law should be remedied just as soon
as it can be done intelligently and
safely.
The question of transportation is
of great Importance to the people of
Iowa. We are far from the sea-
the price paid for carriage enters
/ luLO OSCls poo1ASoo tAohso7
action. Fair rates, adequate facil-
ties and equal opportunities are
reasonable demands. To this end
existing laws should be strengthen
ed The passage Of the interstate
commerce law, the rate bill and the
rebate act were important steps in
| the direction of control, but they are
admittedly inadequate. Reasonable
rates, without fayortism either to
individuals or to localities, with fair
classification and full publicity; the
| prevention of one railroad from ac-
quiring a controlling interest in a
competing line; the prevention of
oyer-capitalization and the issue of
stocks and bonds for speculative pur-
poses; provisions for the speedy
hearing and determination of COM
plants; severe penalties on the COM
panies and punishment for the in
dlviduals who violate the Law
| these are some of the objects yet to
be secured, and which seem to me
important and desirable. In this
connection it may be added that