The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-07-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Especial Correspondence

opening OF the Iowa campaign Will
be seen at the state convention at
Council Bluffs, July %, when Con
gresham Maurice Connolly as tenn.
pOrary chairman of the convention
will deliver the key note speech. Mr.
Connolly has been head over heels
in work since his return to Wash
ington after the primary campaign
and hasn't had time to give any
thought to his speech, or to other
speeches he will make in the state
but those who have seen the brilliant
young Iowa congressman in action
on the floor OF the house know that
he will make speech that will strike
real key note.
Congressman Connolly has receiv-
ed assurances of support from adj
ministration leaders that make it
certain the Iowa democracy will have
more help from Washington during
the coming campaign than it ever
has had before. The leading demo.
cratic warehouses have offered their
services for the Iowa campaign not
only in behalf of Mr. Connolly, but
to put up fight for the democratic
congressional candidate, John T.
Hamilton, the candidate for COVER
nor, and the state ticket.
Secretary of State Bryan had
lunch with Congressman Connolly
last Friday at the senate restaurant
at the capitol and the two spent
nearly an hour going over the Iowa
situation, with which Mr.. Bryan,
through his close association with
IoWans in former campaigns, is very
familiar Secretary Bryan expressed
the belief that the democratic ticket
is very strong. There arc several
of his old friends among the candi-
dates. He stated that he will go any
place the committee wants him to
for speeches, and do everything in
his power to aid in electing the
ticket. The secretary assured Con-
gresham Connolly that he would
not only give him his strongest sup
port, but would ask his friends in
Iowa to give active and energetic
support to the campaign against
. Senator Cummins.
Secretary Bryan, in his paper, the
Commoner, which he still finds time
to edit in spite of his multifarious
duties, gave a strong editorial in
dorsement to Congressman Connolly
and John T. Hamilton and the state
ticket in the current issue. Mr.. Con-
molly, he referred to as a man of
unusual educational attainments who
was destined to become one of the
leaders among the nations states
men. He expressed the warmest
personal friendship for him and pre-
dicted the success of his campaign
for the defeat of Senator Cummins.
10 hn
support from both the radical and
conservative elements and seemed an
almost certain winner. The ticket
as a whole Mr.. Bryan described as
an exceptionally strong one, and he
based this statement on his acquain-
lance with the men nominated and
situation. President Wilson has not
decided how far he will participate
in this falls campaign. He is not
making any definite promises until
the trust regulatory legislation goes
through congress. But he has let
it be known that if he speaks any
place he will speak in Iowa. The
president has been greatly interested
in reports from Iowa of the outlook
for party success. A statement made
by State Chairman Reed in letter
to Washington friend in which he
said: "Never have we had such a
chance to elect a governor and Sena-
tor; it is in the air." expresses the
Washington view. President Wilson
and his advisers believe that victory
in Iowa this fall is in the air.
One of the most encouraging fea-
lures of the situation is the active
support given the winners in the pri-
mary campaign by the candidates
who lost. The predictions of q party
split following the primary, made
by the republican press, which did
it's utmost to encourage such a
split, have failed signally of fruition.
Congressman Connolly has received
scores of letters from Iowans who
opposed him in the primary, all CIV
ing assurances of the strongest sup
port. Dan Hamilton, Senator Clark
son, John.C. DeMar, James N. Par
sons and Harry c. Evans, all active
in the Meredith campaign, and Mr..
Meredith himself, have written let
tiers offering their services for the
campaign.
Il am receiving letters offering
support from many who frankly adj
nit that they opposed me IN the prl-
mary said Mr.. Connolly. "They
feel that there is an unusual oppor-
tunity for the democrats this year,
and they will fall in line end do their
utmost to elect an entire democratic
ticket this fall The attitude of the
administration on the senatorial mat
ter is we'll understood by Iowa
democrats. They realize that it would
be a great help to the democracy to
have representative in the senate
who would be in sympathy with the
policies of this democratic admins
tratiOn.
In Washington there is the great
est interest shown in the Iowa cam
paign. All the element of the party
in Washington seem to take a very
keen interest in Mr.. Connolly's sue
cess and many party leaders have Of
fered their services, as the Iowan
seems to have faculty for attract
ing the friendship and interest of
different types of party leaders.
Senator Kenyon has come out with
a reputation of an interview. at
%r;hufcd ~ him during the recent