The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-01-01

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to serve the business interests of the
country that there was no use of re-
plying in words. The only satisfac-
tory reply was in action. We have
written the first chapter OF that re-
ply
The republican press, with the eX-
cepton of the rltrastandpat papers
which began to pray for Fanits
whenever reactiona1v presidential
candidate meets defeat, express ap-
proval of democratic legislation en-
acted in the special session. The
Washington Times republican
whose editors, being on the ground
are enabled to sain a comprehensive
grasp Of the legislative situation,
says:
There was time when the
promise that this was the first OF a
series Of constructive measures
which his party proposes to pass Tor
the country, might have caused fear
rather than confidence. 1t is to the
credit of the administration that 1t
has changed the public's attitude to-
ward it's constructive program. There
is not the concern which was former
ly felt about democratic capacity TO
deal with business. Certain circles,
of course, still look with misSivlngs
on anything that comes from demo-
cratic caucus or is based on demo-
cratic platform pledge. But 1t is
conceded even by political antagon-
lists that that feeling is not so widely
extended or firmly held as it once
was.
For the business world this Of
right should be a cheerful Christmas
season. The tone OF substantially
every business activity is better, and
growing, yet better still. There is
every reason for confident hope that
the beginning Of the new year will
see such an upturn toward large
prosperity as will very presently i'm
press every class of the people and
every ramiiication of business activ-
ity."
One of the first acts of congress
when it reassembles will be to hold
memorial services for Congressman
Pepper, whose untimely death came
as personal loss not only to the
Iowa members, but the entire body
OF the house President Wilson and
Speaker Clark sent Geographic ex-
preston of their sincere sorrow that
such a promising career should be
so sadly terminated, and at the loss
of such good friend. Members OF
the senate and house gave up
Christmas visits to their homes and
attended his funeral and took part
in the memorial services held for the
late congressman in Iowa. Congress-
man Peppers unselfish labOrs for
l, l, hi A. n II u RI
not been in good health for months
and his Washington physician had
ordered a complete rest, but as the
head of the Iowa democratic dele
cation in congress he had been call
ed upon to perform services for
Iowans outside of his district. The
fall congressional campaigns in the
east had made demands upon him,
and he made stumping trips, which
greatly overtaxed his strength. He
would not leave Washington while
the special session was in progress,
but finally he was forced to accede
to the demands of his physician and
go home to rest over Thanksgiving
holidays with members Of his family.
lie had no sooner reached the state
than he was stricken with the attack
which caused his death. Congress-
man Pepper made a record in WASH
ington which will not soon be for
gotten. He had gained place of
prominence in congress and had he
lived he would have gained higher
honors. And more than this, he
made lifelong friends by his gentle,
kindly manner and the acts of un
selfish friendship he SO often per-
formed. TO congressman Connolly
and Kirkpatrick and to his secretary,
NJ. F. Cronin, his death came as a
distinct shock They We're members
Of the congressional party which at
tended Mr. Peppers funeral in his
old home.
The removal Of Judge Van -Wag-
ansn as district attorney Of the
northwestern district is being much
discussed and it is generally felt here
lhat Judge VanWagenen will not get
very far in his efforts to place the
blame on the Department OF Justice
for his failure in administering that
office. Judge Van Wagencn had
been advised by Louis Murphy and
Jerry r. Sullivan to resign when the
ssLe arose with the Department OF
Justice due to his failure to carry
7ut The orders of his superiors. The
!euar1men; holds it plain case OF
incompetent handling of cases. The
defense made by Judge Van Wagenen
practically admits this. TO charge
Attorney General McReynolds with
being lukewarm toward a trust
prosecution, as alleged by Mr.. Van
Wagenen when ne was only insistent
that a local case affecting Sioux City
plumbers should not be allowed to
hamper nationwide investigation
of the so-called plumbers trust is
one Mr.. McReynolds friends say,