Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1911-01-18
IOWA REPUBLICANIsM.
What Man Everywhere Recognized
as Greatest Editor in Iowa
Thinks of Situation.

Hon. Geo. d. Perkins, the veteran
an editorial which follows, calls to
mind many incidents in the recent
political history of Iowa, which ev-
cry voter should ponder over. Mr..
Perkins says:
THE Iowa progressive machine
is up against it, and bleeding at the
nose 1t is said it isn't right. The
opponents of the machine are charg-
ed with boiling, and it is said they
ought to be ashamed. 1t is said the
opponents of the machine are balk-
ing over doing things in regular
manner; and since the progressives
have the most noses among those
who had place on the official ballot
as republicans there is positive opin-
ion that it is shame to proceed
with indifference to what the noses
may suffer. 1t is feared that all
chance of party unity will be de-
stroyed and attention is called to the
great Importance of the battles of
the future. Isn't it awful! The Des
Moines bureau chaps have reached
the point of using exclamation
points.
Admission may be made, without
controversy, that it is quite shame
the republican party in Iowa should
have fallen upon such an unhappy
time. But there is no occasion for
surprise. The game hasn't been
played as it should be played, and
it isn't being played now according
to rules entitled to commentator.
But whose fault is it?
There is precedent running back
as far as 1887 when the leader OF
Cumminsism reached the legislature
by affiliating with the democrats of
Polk county. In 1898 this same
leader, pursuing his ambition to
reach the senate, sought to place
himself in cahoots with the free and
unlimited coinage of silver. In 1901
this leader antagonized the organiza-
ton, made alliance with majority
Of the railroad corporations of the
state and won the governorship. In
1903, under compromise, he was re-
elected to the governorship. In 1904
he took up with New England no.
ton of Canadian reciprocity, break
ing the compact of the year before,
and sought to control the delega-
ton to the national convention and
failed. In 1906, through democratic
assistance, he was nominated for a
third term as governor, and through
alliance with the liquor interests, he
narrowly defeated his democratic
opponent. In 1908 he became a
candidate for the senate against
Senator Allison, violating pledge as
Senator Dolliver,, and Major Torbert
established by documentary evil
dence, and was defeated in the first
primary, created in his interest; in
a subsequent primary, following the
death of Allison, again with demo
cratic support, he won, but not un-
til after he had sought the place
without the Intervention Of a pri.
mary. This is ancient history, to be
sure, and the merest scrap of years
of whipsawing politics.
Come down to 1909. The con
gress was called in extraordinary
session. This leader devoted hi
talent to discrediting the admins
tration, ambition going forward b!
leaps and bounds. The democrats
had an ally in him; and usually hi
voted with them. His influence ex
tended to the house of representa-
tives. Certain members from Thu
state cast no important vote with
out his approval, fearing hiss dis
pleasure. The member from this
district, possibly an extreme ex
ample, refused to go into the speak
ership caucus and with others bolt
ed the action of the caucus on thu
floor of the house. The insurgents
sought to displare the republican
organization of the house through
amendments to the rules, and the.
leagued themselves with the demo
Gratis. They did what they could tt
disrupt the party; they exalted in
dependent voting.
The elections last fall bore thu
legitimate fruit of persistency IL
fusion and contribution to the cam
paign stock of the enemy. Yet II
the face of disaster, this Iowa lead
err turned on his allies, spoke To-
the whole republican ticket, Can
non included, and tainted the demo
Gratis with utter unfitness for con
troll of public affairs.
The politics such as we have hat
in Iowa in the name of reform hal
vitiated the republican organization
The inevitable consequences were
pointed out years ago, but one make
shift has been succeeded by another
We have had long seige OF per
sonal politics, and the interests o
the republican party and the welfare
of the state have been placed IL
subordination to the vanity and ov
erweening ambition of one man
who has never fought fair politica
battle in his life.
If boiling is in order, it is in or
der for all playing in the game. i
it is rulable to bring the minorit!
party to the aid of one faction, thu
other has equal privilege. II bolt
ing is good politics in Washington
there is something to be said for i
in Iowa. Rules that are to be OBJ
served must apply to one side az
well as to the other.
1t is lamentable, to be sure, i
the republican organization in this
state should have come to it's pres
ent degree of decentralization. The
leadership in recent years is re
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