The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-06-10

circumstances that little attention was
attracted to their particular canvass.
This year they were brought into the
limelight by reason of the issues in
vOlvcd and the strenuOusncss of the
campaign through which they passed.
The contest between Maurice Con-
molly and q. II. Meredith, for choice
for United States senator on the dem
Ocratic ticket, was of sufficient import
ance to develop more than usual inter-
est among the democratic voters Of
the state. Maurice Connolly had served
term in congress and is supposed to
have had the backing of the admin
lstratlOn as well as a majority of the
democratic leaders of the state. Mere
dith, on the other hand, was man of
superior attainmcnts and experience,
and it is generally believed would
have polled a larger vote in Novcm-
Der than his competitor, but he lacked
the organization and was handicapped
by the charge that his democracy was
not of the Simon pure" brand. The
probabilities are that he is quite as
good democrat as Mr.. Connolly, but
the charge was made against him that
he was not regular and he was there
fore put upon the defensive and most
OF his time was required in trying to
remove the impression that his de-
lmocracy was OF questionable char
acter.
We think without contradiction the
man who comes out of the contest
with the greatest prestige is Governor
Clarke. His course as governor has
been independent and fearless. He
has not truckled to the politicians or
to those who are influenced in politics
by passion and prejudice. He seems
to have been governed by one consid
GRAFTON alone and that was supreme
purpose to discharge his official
duties without fear or favor. The
claim that he was responsible for in
creasing the taxes on farm lands and
for capitol extension legislation
was made against him from the start
and whatever his connection may have
been with these so called objection
able measures, he made no effort to
conceal his relations, both in the
newspapers under. his control, and
in his public speeches, but fear
lessly announced his position and
wherever he spoke was able to
convince the people that he was not
only an able executive, but conscicn |
tiOus and fearless. 1t has been a long
time since Iowa has had so fearless a |
public official and one influenced Who'll |
ly by a desire to discharge his duty |
regardless of the political effect of !
his actions. 1t is refreshing to find
such 4 man and the people of the |
state, regardless of party, are turning |
to Governor Clarke as q man who can |
be depended upon under all circum-
The state of Iowa is in need |
Of such men who do not study pOlit
lcal currents, but give their attention
to public questions which affect the
welfare of the state and country, and
we predict that as long as the people
Of this state become better acquainted |
with Governor Clarke and his methods
in politics that his course from now
On will attract the favorable consid-
GRAFTON of the people, and that he will
become the undisputed
leader of the republican party. When
his course is compared with that of /
other ambitious men in the state who |
nave taken greater pains to- discover
and follow popular sentiment than to !
solve the great questions which are
ever present, the account is decided. I
y in his favor and proves that he is
. patriot rather than politician.