The Washington herald., 1913-11-17


The stiffening of Senator cummins'
spinal column for q general getting back
TO the old and regular form Of the Re-
considerable figure In the Presidential
campaign OF three years hence.
1t does seem a bit odd that Iowa,
with her stubborn steadfastness and de-
votion to the Republican party. has
never mad a place on a national ticket.
Not even Vice Presidential candidate
has been taken from Iowa in all the
sixty-three years Of Republican organiza-
tion and operations. What wonder that
cummins and his home admirers think 1t
about time to cross the Mississippi for
candidate. Away back there was a
modest demand for the nomination Of
Senator Allison, and the Minnesota
Gophers were really in earnest about
William Window in 1850. but before
Bryan the States west Of the big river
were given little national honor. Iowa
may not send a solid delegation for
Cummins next time, but he will be given
good deal OF serious attention by the
Republicans of other States before the
convention meets.
AT least. he is keeping his head" and
tnat is good deal In these days of dis
turbance and lament.
II counts for something that he Is the
one man from his State most talked
about for Presidential honors since Alli-
son. In fact, the great Republican lead
ers or Iowa can be counted on the fin
gers OF one hand. Senator Harlan, who
was also Cabinet Official; John A. Kas-
son. Representative and diplomat; Sena-
tor hirkwood, also in the Cabinet, and
Doilver, who died before showing what
ne could DO. make up with Allison and
Cummins the list OF actually eminent
Republicans who have given glory to the
state Henderson, as Speaker, and Will
son. as Secretary OF Agriculture, did not
especially appeal to the political senti-
ment OF the country or become leaders
The wonder is that Iowa, with so
reliable Republican majority year
atter year, has not been more prom
lnent In national affairs. but the
TACT recalls the remark of John A.
bingham, great Congressional figure
IN war times and later Minister to Japan.
that low level country never did pro-
duce great men and leaders in either
war or politics.
He declared that the great men of the
worlds history came from mountainous
or hiliy region, or from the inspiration
OF the sea shore. The Bingham claim
was that a youth needed the struggle
and climbing, both physical and mental,
supplied by a rocky mountainous coun-
try and could never be inspired by the
monotonous level of the Western Plains
IN support Of this contention II is re-
called that the great men of all nations
nave come from the rugged, uneven
regions. and especially from the noun
tains and valleys. The prairie people
demur and point to Lincoln and Grant
from Illinois, yet Lincoln was born in
the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, and
Grant in the Clermont County hills of
Ohio. II must be admitted that the
low level and fertile plains Of the West
have not produced many great political
leaders or soldiers, while the mountains
and hills Of the East have had more
than their share. This does not bother
Senator Cummins very much, even II
his beloved Iowa Is a trife fat, as he
was born in Pennsylvania at the foot of
the Alleghenies and grew up with all
the inspiration that mountains and val
leys can give to an ambitious lad. His
predecessor. Allison, was born in the
most rugged hilly part of Ohio and took
pains to select the elevated region of
Dubuque for his Iowa home.
Stuart F. Reed, Secretary of State for
the Commonwealth OF West Virginia.
came in from the banks OF the Kanawha
last night en- route to New York, and
Joined his fine old friend Senator Scott
at the Willard for a general going over
Of things political at home Reed re-
mains loyal Republican without any
Progressive spasms, and as Scott was
always noted for staying put" they
enjoyed an executive session which gave
to certain renegades who went
wrong in the last two years. and who
will not do much going in any direction
politically from now on. Reed is a soft
spoken citizen who walks on tiptoe in
his political movements, but under a
silken gloved hand he has a grip of
steel that is much respected by his con-
1t also counts much in Reed S
favor that he is content as Secretary OF
State without reaching out for the Gov
ahead OF time. Not but what
he is big enough to be Governor but he
believes in giving strict attention to the
Job in hand. He comes from Clarksburg
which has gotten very much on the map
turing the last year with many political
honors- Judge Con. the new Senator, is |
from Clarksburg. and a Democratic |
President appointed a Clarksburg lawyer, |
John W. Davis, to be Solicitor Gen.
eral.
Virgil Highland. eminent banker and !