The Machine Under Fire
An anonymous letter-writer accuses the local political establishment of corruption, illegal registrations, and voter suppression.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
If Mr. Dement has decided not to contest the election he is certainly not following the wishes of the people who voted for him. He appears to think the people cast their ballot for him as a personal mark of esteem when as a fact they voted for him as a capable instrument to carry out their wishes. The present revolt against machine methods was not in a spirit of fun, and if Mr. Dement thinks that the people are to be thus lightly put aside for his own desires in the matter, he will find himself weakened in any future political race. The people are in a dangerous mood. They have been the victims of gag rule too long; they have been boycotted, clubbed and played for suckers by the Ankeny push too long to stand any trifling. They expect Mr. Dement to look into the matter of illegal registrations; voters not allowed to cast a ballot; ballots not counted and other dark allegations that should be investigated.
“They have been boycotted, clubbed and played for suckers by the Ankeny push too long to stand any trifling.”
This letter echoes the recurring American tension between populist movements and entrenched political 'machines.' Even in 1903, the suspicion of 'rigged' elections and the frustration with political insiders was a potent and common civic argument.
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