Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 November 1905 — IOWA REVOLT GROWING [ARTICLE]

IOWA REVOLT GROWING

Republican Official Tells Some Plain Truths. u. POWEB OF THE RAILROAD PASS Tariff Reform and Control of the Railways Two Buraia* lasses la the Western States Republican Leaders May Have to Abandon Their Stand Pat Attitude. , In lowa, where the “idea” was born that the tariff fosters trusts, some of the Republican leaders are talking to the people very plainly. At the Old Settlers’ association of central lowa, which recently held its thirty-fifth annual reunion, Hon. Tom J. Bray, chairman of the Republican party in Poweshiek county, delivered an address in which he said: “For political purposes the ‘system’ is divided into two branches, the railroad combination and the American Protective league. “1 will take up first the operation of the railroad branch of the ‘system,’ which is intrusted with the nomination of county and state officials, congressmen and United States senators. The railroads, by means of the unlimited amount of free transportation which they can issue, are in a position to wield a powerful Influence in politics, and they never permit a single ounce of this influence to go to waste. A little slip of yellow paper properly authenticated by a railroad company has a purchasing power in politics compared to which the expenditure of a large sum of money would be insignificant. I believe that the majority of American men are not susceptible to bribes, but at the same time we are an exceedingly grateful people and always inclined to return a favor for a favor. The | delegate who receives a free pass to a convention thereby places himself under an obligation to the donor of the pass, and he discharges this obligation by voting for candidates for office whom under any other circumstances .he would consider unworthy of his support. “Under the railroad system of conducting politics a thorough organization is maintained in each state. This organization is directed and managed by the general attorney of the largest railway system in the state, who is selected not because of the legal ability which he possesses, but because of his knowledge of political tactics. In each town and city he appoints one or more local attorneys, who earn their salaries by distributing free transportation among the influential citizens of the community and especially the delegates to state and congressional conventions. The delegates to these conventions accept the free passage because it saves an expenditure of money. When they reach the city where the convention 1/ being held the gentleman who furnished the transportation requests them to vote for a certain man for congressman, governor, railroad commissioner or some other state office. The favor is granted, and men are nominated who have in reality been selected by the railroad political boss. “The congressman, upon being elected, finds that his most Important duty is the appointment of postmasters in his district In most instances the editor of the local newspaper gets the , appointment He is glad to accept the office because of the salary which goes with it and the congressman is glad to have him accept it because the editor is In a position to perform valuable services for the congressman through the columns of the newspaper. “The editor feels under obligations for the appointment and of course he would not be ungrateful enough to decline to perform any service requested by his benefactor. The congressman, being indebted to the railroads for his nomination and being indebted to the American Protective league for favors shown him at Washington, Is a tool in the hands of the ‘system;’ the post-master-editor, for the reasons I have mentioned, is a tool In the hands of the congressman, and the people are tools In the hands of the postmastereditor. He writes their political gospel, and they generally accept it without suspicion.” Mr. Bray continued by describing how the railroads in league with the Republican leaders packed caucuses and conventions and elected congressmen, legislatures and governors who were pledged to do the will of the “railroad boss.” It must be remembered that this Republican official was talking to his neighbors and friends, and the report says his speech was received with great enthusiasm. As the Republican leaders in congress declare they will not revise the tariff, and any railroad rate legislation that will prevent unreasonable rates from being charged is likely to be defeated, these Republican reformers, who are largely In the minority in their own party, will have to join hands with the Democrats to secure reform legislation.