Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-02-10


dicially excellent estimate OF 4. B. Gu,
Republican. as it will be by a vast m
Republican also accepts it as an no
Republican has been saying peace an
Curlew, Iowa-To the Editor: would
like some information that I thought
you would be able 10 furnish me. There
are few voters in this part OF the
country who seem TO have forgotten
that Cum.nins ever did anything Cor his
country, and that there are some laws
that he had anything to do with get
ting enacted. Now l would like to have
YOU mail me list OF the laws that he
has had something TO do With one way
or another.-F. ]. Davidson.
The Register and Leader will answer
this inquiry publicly. for there may
he in other parts of the state men who
are questioning wat Senator Cummins
has done.
Senator Cunmins was in at the be-
ginning of the agitation for new
state of affairs iii Iowa. To enumerate
even briefly the acts of legislation of
the seven years during which he was
governor would fill several columns
Iowa in that time came TO the very
forefront of the movement for a
! square deal" and yet there is not a
statute on the books enacted during
| that period under great stress and
strain of opposition that anybody to-
day would ask to have removed. This
speaks for the sanity and essential con-
servstism Of the state, and of the lead
ers the state followed.
During this period it was made a
crime for corporations to contribute to
campaign funds; a direct primary cleo
ton law was enacted that ousted the
old caucus: railroad passes and dis
eliminating passenger rates were driv-
CT out: 2 2-cent fare bin became a law
which the railroads have not contested
/ a limitation was put on the hours OF
continuous labor Of railroad employees
corporation stocks were made payable
at par in money or valuable property
and EQUALIZATION forbidden; q
substantial fee was created for filing
articles Of incorporation; banks were
compelled to pay interest on deposits
of public money: a child labor law
compulsory school attendance law, fac
I tory inspection law, fire escape and
safety appliance law, pure food and
seed law, and dozens Of other statutes
Of similar nature were put son the
| books.
| This is not all. but it is enough tc
indicate the nature Of the movement
that began in Iowa about ten years
i ago, and ti.at, because Senator Gum
Minis has been thruout so conspicuous
! " the leader Of it. is properly con
sidered by his friends record tc
which he is entitled to appeal as the
| measure of his personal service an6
| the guaranty of his leadership.
| Nor was Iowa during these years
merely part Of general movement fol
| the square deal; Iowa was first not
, only in the agitation, but In securing
the enactment Of laws, and today the
state points not merely to what has
been accomplished, but to the time a.
which it was undertaken, and the con-
| ditions of bitter opposition under
which it was done.
During all Of this period Senator
Cummins was so active in the work o,
propagating reform sentiment In othel
states, in urging upon congress a ma
ton wide movement. along simila,
lines. in agitating for tariff revision
and for national regulation Of railroads
that he was accused by his enemie.
! frequently OF neglecting his duties a!