Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1916-09-19
RINGS AND RINGS.

speak upon the subject, has pub
Ilished in the Capital an article upon
rings-political rings. The colonel has
had more to do with rings in his
time than perhaps any man in Iowa
and his revelations of the subject
may be considered as expert testi-
mony. The colonel was a star mem
Der of the old Blythe ring in Iowa.
Later he became active in the new
Cummins ring, but had some differ
ences with other members, and re-
turned to the Blythe ring, where he
was received with open arms and the
fatted calf was slaughtered for him
However, listen to the colonel's dis
sertation on rings: 1t rings true:
| There are rings OF churches,
lodges, labor organizations, press as
sociations, manufacturers cOnven-
ltions, conventions of postoffice clerks
and postmasters; county and state
fair associations; in conferences;
presbyteries and associations of
churches: and even in editorial assO-
Citations.
| A ring means combination of
men who agree to work together.
Men go into rings for their own ben
eft and for their own advancement.
Their advancement depends upon
their loyalty to the ring The young
fellows have their first lessons in
rings in college and university socie-
ties.
| Rings are organized to take the
| jobs and the honors.
All political parties have had their
rings and always will have them.
The primary system was invented to
crush out the rings. But in order
to crush out ring, new ring must
be organized. Finally the new ring
becomes the old ring. The demo-
cratic party has had some famous
rings Ppe of lts famous riAK ArfakT
ers was VIM. j. Bryan. He suhsti-
tuted the Bryan ring. And his ring
prevailed for twelve years. Many
Years ago the democratic state con-
MENTIONS in Iowa comprised the same
old bunch. A stranger could tell
when a democratic state convention
was in session by, the presence OF
men who had not been seen at the
Icapitol of the state for years. The
old plug hats dated back to the days
lof Buchanan The work of the RING
in a minority party is easy. Minor
tiles obey bosses in order to become
a majority. About the only thing
that can break up ring is the death
of leader. In Iowa the democrats
have had groups or rings. They get
together and whisper and then name
ticket.
The grand old party has been ia
nous for it's rings. 1t has had its ma
tional rings and it's state rings. Ev-
cry county seat has ring in the
grand old party. This ring selects
the county nominees and has them
labeled and put away, each man
awaiting his turn.
The great ring smasher in Iowa
has been Albert B. Cummins. After
many hard fights he substituted the
Cummins ring, which has been ire
sistible. The senator, as governor,
headed the most powerful political
organization in Iowa. His group or
ring would take no back talk. All
difficult questions arising in the
ranks of the ring were submitted to
the senator. He decided who should
run and who should not.
Now there are signs Of new rings.
Men are selecting themselves for the
new organization. They are reach
ing out in this direction and that,
getting ready for another ten years
control. These rings represent hon
ors to some and the petty droppings
from the political table for the 9TH
ers.
| The statewide primary did not
prove to be ring crusher but it has
been a ring promoter. Leaders and
bosses can manipulate primary
with the greatest of ease.
The political ring is not a joke :;
it is practical thing and nearly ev-
cry man knows what he wants and
what he hopes to get. He believes
the ring master will take care of him.
And if he is wise ring master, he
does it.
Take the Penrose ring in Penn
sylvania. Who could crush it? Be-
yond the Perrose ring was the Quay
ring Many of the influential sena-
tors in congress are backed by polit-
ical rings in their states. Otherwise
their terms in congress would be
short.
What is the remedy?
Calling cards printed at this Office.