Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-11

where these Iowans sought what they
had left behind them In lows. Nobody
knows how many thousAnds there were
who started out to look for the pot Of
gold at the end OF the rainbow. Nest
of them found nothing but bitter dis
appointment. With great banners and
blowing OF trumpets did they pull
out" Very quietly have they been
slipping back. They were most well
come. and there are more coming.
The now census demonstrates the
fact that q large number have re-
turned and az we lead in almost every
thing else. and a. the new census 10
going to show handsome increase for
the last five-year period. that ought
to put stop to further malicious
questionings on the subject Of what
ais Iowa.
It seems a bit strange that 1owans
should have asked that question in the
past. No doubt they were not as well
| informed as they ought to have been
| and 1t Is to be taken for granted that
they will hold their peace hereafter
For 1t ought to be clear to all who
have given the subject even fifteen
minutes of Investigation that there -
nothing whatever the matter with
Iowa
PROHIBITION AND CAMPAIGNS.
lCedar Rapids Gazette.1
The general assembly Of Iowa voted
the state dry and the saloons will close
Jan. /. 1915.
But the really decisive fight for and
against liquor in the Hawkeye state
will not be staged until the middle and
fall OF next year Then Attorney Gen.
eral George Cosson and Lieutenant
Governor w. L. Harding will represent
the issue, backed by the dry and wet
forces as gubernatoria1 candidates
probably never have been backed be-
fore in this state. Cosson's nominal
ton will mean continued prohibition in
Iowa, and If Harding goes back to Des
Moines from Sioux City the state will
be wet before he leaves. That Is q for
gone conclusion
To presume that, because Of the
legislative sentiment against liquor this
year. the dry candidate for governor
in 1916 will have comparatively easy
shedding would be over-confidence In
presumption. Cosson will have the
fight of his life, for Harding u q
shrewd politician who seldom bites be-
fore he has become quite we'll ac-
quainted with the digestive apparatus
Of himself and his machine. He has
not decided to be candidate without
first learning to his complete satisfac-
ton that the situation bears favorable
possibilities.
Casting all consideration Of the pro-
hibition issue to one side, George Co.'S
son is the most logical man OF the two
for governor. And, II the liquor ques-
ton is included. he still remains the
stronger man, because he stands for
prohibition, and prohibition is gaining
every day. not only in Iowa, but else
where. Everyone knows that the at
torney general stands for law enforce
ment, but no one knows Just where to
find Mr.. Harding. Everyone knows
that Cosson is a dry and everyone
knows that Harding is and always has
been a wet.
Cosson typifies the open game in
politics, Harding the closed. The
former places his cards on the table
and the latter holds his hand beneath
the edge OF the board. Cosson seeks
the publication Of the city and state
and the edification Of politics. Hard
ing leans toward the domination OF the
interests" and hence Is not wholly
averse to political intrigue, whether 1t
harms or helps the state.
People who know Cosson place faith
in him. but the same can not be said
OF ell who know Harding. Cosson has
proposed moro communicable laws than
Harding had the ability TO conceive,
and some OF the formers ideas have
been incorporated In the legislation
OF sister states. Cosson commands tho
respect OF everyone who believe in
clean government and ceaseless
campaign against the criminal element.
He has advanced ideas and knows how
to execute them. Iowa can well afford
to give support to men whose con-
ceptions of legislative matters are not
cut and dried. It has suffered for the
lack of them. Mr.. Harding keeps his
ear to the ground, and on the rumblings
therein he bases his activities. Mr..
Cosson creates his own political rumb-
lings and is well thought OF for doing
SO. He may have been q little over
jealous In one or two instances, but
that was because he was too serious.
A state is safer with governor who
is too serious than with one not serious
enough. And no man il absolutely
sincere who will not stand UP and fight
his own battles. Is Mr.. Harding willing
to do so?
The prohibition vote in Iowa is not
exceptionally large, but what there
is Of it undoubtedly will go to Cosson
IL he receives the republican nomina-
ton, and every little bit still helps
The prohibitionist can accomplish far
more in this campaign between two re-
publicans than they ever did In Iowa
with their own party lines. They Will
be alive to the 1915 situation. for they