Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 236, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 October 1912 — JOHN B. PETERSON VISITS RENSSELAER [ARTICLE]

JOHN B. PETERSON VISITS RENSSELAER

Democratic Candidate for Congress SHps in for Little Chat With the Faithful-—Brief Interview.

John B. Peterson, of Crown Point, arrived in Rensselaer this Wednesday morning unheralded. He had been gumshoeing in the lower part of the district and came here to meet County Littlefield of the Jasper County Democratic central committee and other democrats, just to talk over the situation a little and find out if there l is any trouble any place along the line. Mr. Peterson rode down town in the bus and registered at the Makeever hotel -He talked freely with the editor of The Republican about the political status and said that* he felt certain that the organization of the Bull Moose party was going to result in democratic victory throughout the nation. He did not talk from a partisan standpoint and did not say just what the democratic party would do with victory when it was secured. It will, however, be remembered by those who heard him speak here two years ago that he believes in a tariff for revenue only and thus would be a willing helper of Woodrow Wilson and Senator Shively in adopting a law that will certainly restore the days of the last Cleveland administration. Mr. Peterson talked a little about Roosevelt. He can see nothing but the man’s anflMtion for power and hope of revenge back of the candidacy. He says that the platform of the progressive party is in line with any reforms ever advocated by their candidate and that Roosevelt can not be very sincere in his recent professions.

Mr. Peterson talked a little about the question of bosses. He said that there is no doubt about legislation being effected by the Influence of men who were directly interested in results. He said that it always had been <gnd always would be. People who want certain Jaws do not hesitate to get behind them with all the scheming power they possess. It is true in city and county government as well as in state and national. It is true in every form of government. It is easy to prate about and make a fine campaign issue, but often those who are doing the greatest amount of shouting are themselves guilty of the same means and measures. Organization is essential to success. ’ An organization has a leader. If he is a good one and accomplishes results he is called a boss. If he fails he is discredited as a poor manager. Those who pronounce themselves pure and undeflled call their bosses leaders and point out the leaders of other parties and call them bosses. Mr. Peterson has been an observer as he has passed through life and has learned that' the fellow that howls loudest often needs the most watching.

For years Mr. Peterson has been the attorney for a number of big corporations, railroads, etc. Two years ago a letter was published tn which he had declined to look after some small business, saying that his time was entirely occupied as the attorney for corporations. When he was nominated at Lafayette a few weeks ago several prominent democrats pointed out on the floor of the convention hall that he was a corporation lawyer and not worthy the support of his party. In the face of this he was nominated. It will probably Injure his chances of election, however, as many of his party do not believe that a man should be sent to the national congress as a law maker who has been associated with and whose Interests have been with the corporations. And we do not believe that there are many democrats in Jasper county who would not have preferred seeing some man nominated who came with a free hand as the friend of the people and not the attorney of great interests.

Aside from this connection we have no doubt that Mr. Peterson meets up with every high requirement of fine citizenship. He is a pleasing gentleman and we recommend that all free trade democrats who want to take a chance at sending a corporation lawyer to represent them in the national congress give him their votes.