Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-04
THE sA,NTlINEss OF SATAN

Tho vinton Eagle says: Whether
iust or unjust the impression pre'a14s
that Mr.. Byers has been playing poA-
tics instead Of attorney general for the
past several years and an aversion mas
arisen against him. The thing for MIN
to do is to withdraw"
The vinton Eagle-which is edited
and controlled by Bernard Murphy, bet
ter known perhaps as Pat MURPHY
refers to Attorney General Byers. MY.
Naurphy's desire is to convey 10 those
among whom his newspaper circu!a,es
that there is general and vide con-
demnation OF Attorney Genera! Bye1
record as attorney general. His asser-
ton that there is an aversion against
him is not true: in fact, no nearer truth
than the implication that Byers mas
failed in his duty as attorney general
AL in all X is the snugpseudo sa.nt!i-
ness of Satan reouking alleged sin For
Mr.. Murphy IS nothing in politics an
less he is wire puller and player OF
the game as it was played in the palny
days when Joe and the judge kept cases
on the play along the TWO principa!
trans-Iowa railroads.
The truth Of the matter IS that Byers
has done everything else but play poll
tics. He has been trusted by those who
favor law enforcement 20 enforce law
and has enforced It in a manner total
~ unknown and utterly astounding 10
the school of Darkroom politicians OF
which his critic is graduate with
post graduate degree. Byers has been
attorney general for Iowa and not for
the politicians. He has simply inquired
Of the statutes made and provided and
sought no other counsel as 20 what he
ought to do and what 10 do. He mas
created enemies thus who are decidedly
averse to the man and his official man
uer In this connection It may be
remarked that their aversion TO Byers
and the attorney genera included and
still includes marked aversion 10 the
law which he enforced. 1t has been i'm :
possible for back room politicians to
take a trip to Des Monss on a r. F.
pass and quietly fix things UP for some
henchman whose profits or desires run
counter to the law. No doubt his crit
les imagined Byers vas playing poll
tics. Bear in mind that in the earlier
days of Byers' regime in the depart
ment Of justice these critics held il
automatic that whatever man did he
was playing politics. What was he sit
ting in for if he wasn't playing The
game? 1t is to be viewed as signid-
cant Of shock and perturbation of mind
that even now the saving clause, just
or unjust" commends itself
In politics. as 1t is played IN Iowa
Byers has been progressive. Here, also
by those old masters and opponents
Under whom the old guard had it's edu-
cation. Byers has been faithful to the
progressive movement. He has never
been willing to split principle for a
personal advantage In politics he has
never had anything coming from a
etandpatter. He hasn't even hesitated
And that to some minds is sign OF
reckless play. Web Byers has been as
straight as a string in his official and
political connections. His critics can
not understand it. 1t is Incompetent
sibis.
The vinton Eagle preaching at Wei
Byers as a player of politics and the
Iowa City Republican, which is not a
republican paper at all. having bolted
the last convention platform and can.
didsteS, crying out for a special pri-
mary for LATE Young are scarcely to be
considered with serious countenance.