The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-05-26
HARMFUL TO BUSINESS
No Good Can Come to the State Out
Of the Action of Those Who
Are Working Against
Administration.
Especial to The Gate City. |

lJlIo AlOlANIIHoy way IO.--l ndt ~ q
business men are taking an active
interest in the political situation in
this state is evidenced by information
which came to Des Moines yester-
day from city in the eastern part
of the state, saying that two of the
leading wholesale grocers of that city,
who have hitherto been affiliated with
the faction of the party known as
progressives, have declared that they
will no longer remain with that fac
tion, but propose to be active in their
support of republican policies, as
enunciated in the republican platform,
and will give their unqualified sup
port to President Taft and his admin
istration. The activity of these two
gentlemen has created somewhat of
furor in the camp that is opposed
to the president and it is quite evi-
dent that they fear the influence of
the two Iowa wholesalers will be far
reaching
The reason for this change of heart
on the part of these merchants is
that they do not care to contribute
to movement that is already prov
ing iself harmful to the business in
terests of the state. They say that
this agitation and constant criticism
has already caused a tightening OF
the money market; that men who
are borrowers and want to continue
fn nfh ,e ;y n;y.
business enterprises, find now that
capital is becoming timid, and they
fear that the business interests of
Iowa will be hampered for want Of
capital if this thing continues They
say that if railroads cannot get mon
ey to make improvements, it curtails
the market in Iowa for their goods,
and consequently retail merchants
buy more sparingly; that good many
farmers are fearing the outcome of
this agitation thinking If the republi-
can party under which we have been
SO prosperous is so badly divided as
to put the democrats in power, we will
have another change in our economic
system. OF course, Iowa business
men do not want democratic ad-
ministration. In this regard they are
in entire harmony with the farmers
of Iowa.
From all over the state come re-
ports of the interest of business men
in the movement to give endorsement
to the president and his administra-
tion. A good many business men who
have not heretofore taken an active
interest in politics, and some who
have been allied with the progressive
wing, have announced, for business
asons, that they propose to do what
they can to continue the present con
ditions. They believe that when we
are prosperous and when business
conditions are good, 1t is the part
OF wisdom not to do that thing which
is likely to place the democratic party
in power.
Des Moines democrats are hopeful.
They are doing their best to widen
the breach among republicans They
think If they can keep up the agita-
ton; If they can contribute some
thing toward widening and magnifying
differences, that they will so divide
the party in the few states where
there is insurgency that they may get
into power. Business men are ask
ing themselves the question-"do we
want to aid in movement that is
likely, if continued, to result in an
other democratic administration