Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-30

we'll to battle out the campaign of 1915
on non-partisan lines"
To those who know Mr. Lynch only
as one whose name is listed along with
those of w. w. Marsh and the demo
cratic leaders from other states, this
sort Of advice may "get over" and be
received with serious attention. But to
those who enjoy his acquaintance and
know the depth and breadth OF his al
legiance to the democratic party, his
utterapce appeals as one of the
choicest bits of humor he has delivered
since his memorable battle with the
anti-Lynch faction from Minnesota at
the st. Louis convention of last year.
It is not possible for those who know
Mr.. Lynch to imagine him in non-par-
tisan role. To be sure his declaration
for battling it out" on non-partisan
lines may admit of several inteTpreta-
tions. Everything, with Mr.. Lynch, is
battle. During his stormy career as
the foremost democrat in Minnesota
he has been involved so constantly in
fights that his victories over his OF
ponents came almost too rapidly to
permit an accurate count. Defeats he
has not known, for he has been able to
cite democratic gains wherever repub,
licans we're elected during his trustee
ship.
It Is time, however, for republicans
to realize that the democrats are not
devoting all their time to thoughts OF
the world war Some Of the most ex'
pert fence builders the thrilling cam,
paigns of recent years have brought
into prominence are journeying back
and forth across the continent, organ
izing postmasters and other democrats
in what one of them, last summer, pre-.
dicted confidently would be the strong.
est political fabric ever pieced togetli.
er in America.
William d. Jameson Of Shenandoah,
who wakened one morning several
years ago to find himself famous, hav-
ing defeated the veteran Congressman
Hepburn for reelection, is credited
with having invented the new zone
system. Iowa is in the fourth zone,
which includes number OF netghbor'
ing states. Mr.. Jameson has been raj
living the faithful in all the zones;
pledging them anew to the party's
service; reminding them, perhaps, that
continued power may bring continued
official plums; smoothing out post.
mastership battles; patching up local
internecine wars and laying wires
quietly for bang up campaign In 1918.
Meanwhile republican leaders have
been preaching and practicfng loyalty
to the government; many OF then,
have gone into that governments serv'
ice-at 81 a year-to help as they may
in winning the war: those OF them IN
congress have swallowed their part,.
sanship at single gulp and helped
the administration leaders whip into
line the recalcitrant democratic law
makers. They have realized that they
were putting country before party, and
patriotism before politics, and they
have followed that course effectively
and conscientiously.
Knowing all this, Mr.. Lynch gives
play to his resourceful supply OF dry
humor and evolves the suggestion Tor
a non.partisan battle" in the forth
coming congressional campaign.
There is every probability that the
war will continue until after the 1918
election. Indeed, there is little posi-.
DIZZY LudJ AIucIlNo NoAA S0NAAS AASN
really and truly in the conflict with al
her strength before 1919. Meanwhile the
outlook for congressional campaign
which will give the new democratic
machine its first trial under the most
favorable circumstances its inventors
could desire.
There appears Just one difficulty
Should they adopt Mr.. Lynch's sugges'
ton for ''non-partisan" campaign, II
would test their ingenuity to find argt
ments against reelection OF repuDii'
can congressman who had kept the
faith and supported the administra-
ton. And if they choose to draw party
lines they will open to the republicans
an opportunity to appeal for votes by
calling attention to various shortcom
ings which can be mentioned by that
time without fear Of grand jury indict'
ments on charge of sedition.
Viewed in that light, Mr.. Lynchs
suggestion isn't so funny. nor 50 non'
sensical, after all.
svEoxrAING,S ALL RIGHT.