Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1912-01-09
Looker-On In Iona

Eldora, Jan. 9.--Passing thru Grin
nell the other day the writer had a
long talk with a progressive republic
can who is we'll posted on the political
situation in the Sixth-Kendalls con-
gressional- district He says Tom Bray,
of Grinnell, is receiving many induce
ments to run for congress against Ken
dali. That weekly papers in Newton,
Oskaloosa. and other places have as
sured Bray of their support. What
sounds strange is that many standpat-
tiers want Bray to make the canvass.
saying they will support him. That
even the nobiest standpatter Of them
all will use his influence to nominate
and elect Bray. To the intimation that
said standpatters only desire to get
Bray and Kendall into the race and
then bring out standpat candidate
and scoop them both, they swear be-
fore high heaven there is no guile in
their hearts and they will stick to Bray
until election Gay. They honestly own
up they dent love Bray. because he isn't
one of their kind, but anything to beat
Kendall. The writer is convinced from
personal observations in several towns
in Poweshiek county that the opposi-
ton to Kendall, more or less strong as
may be, comes alike from standpatters
and progressiVeS. And the situation in
Poweshiek and elsewhere in the Sixth
district confirms a previously expressed
opinion in this column. 1t is this: If
postmasters were elected instead Of APP
pointed. our congressman would aver
age a mucn longer tenure of office.
y
There are several noticeable things
here in Hardin county, Speaking po-
liticaliy, merely straws to be sure and
not much wind blowing. Anti-Taft ex-
pressions are not so savage as four
months ago. There are more men in this
country now that will vote for Taft
if he is nominated-than a year ago.
'The La Toilette candidacy brings out
little or no enthusiasm. Many far
mers are for La Toilette as agaist
Taft. but meeting these farmers every
day in the stores, on the streets, and
at the railroad depots, the writer has
Yet TO hear of one farmer shouting
FOR La Toilette. In the towns the bust
ress men in scores mention their fears
that he is too radical. La Follette'S
strength has fallen off several points
since his last few speeches. These men
have no objection to woman suffra ge
but are studying the motives that act
uate sudden conversion on the part
Of a presidential candidate And here
is something uneNplaina BILE: In a store
building one of the cold days last week.
seven men We're keeping the stove
" arm. Three out of the seven deliber-
ately announced they were thru with
Cummins. They all claimed to have
voted for him at different times. The
only reason any of them gave was he
had enough of man that always
wanted office. On the other hand, one
very prominent heretofore standpatter
says he is now for Cummins. Political
X Hardin county, that is, Edora is all
mixed up. They don't want Taft, they
are not anxious for LaFollette, but
nearly all feel and say Roosevelt is our
only Moses.
Hoidens announcement of his desire
to be governor brings out o general
opinion. this among the business anL
professional men, that his fitness for :he
governorship is much like that of g
prominent preacher. Unquestionably
| in the line of seed corn he is at the
( head of the profession. so is Billy Sun
day in the revival business. but bolt
lack several things needed in the
makeup of a successful governor eol
the big state Of Iowa. And 1t woult
astonish Mr.. Holden if he should heal
some of his critics even on his specia
work. Not all that he has said con.
corning home life on the Iowa farm!
has made him friends. Then, too. The
1 public generally is suspicious OF tn
motives of daily paper and week.!
farm paper. both in Des Moines. tina
| induced them to work so thorough,
together in bringing out Mr.. Holder
/ for the governorship. The Iowa farme
[! today takes 2 daily paper.
| 10 m~~yA>r