The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-12
r, r. MEREDITH WILL NOT BE A
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.

Leon, Iowa.
Dear Mr.. Hull: l recently wrote
you, and number of other demo
Gratis of Iowa, regarding my becom-
ing candidate for the nomination
of governor on the democratic ticket
this year.
1 am flattered by the response
have received. No man, could be
the recipient of such letters and not
be proud that he has the respect and
confidence of the men of the demo-
cratic party generally. Almost with
out exception, the letters have said
the writer's would be glad to support
me. | regret the decision l have ar
rived at more because of what | be-
lieve will be real disappointment
to many of my friends than for any
other reason.
/ feel that the reasons l have
reached the conclusion l have, are
due you. While my name was being
mentioned in connection with the
nomination, a review of the political
situation in both state and nation
was but natural. AS a democrat, !
could not but feel proud of my par
TVS earnest and successful efforts to
fulfill the hopes and expectations of
the progressive voters of our coun-
try, regardless Of party. / recognize
in the legislation which was being
placed on the statute books as in fact
giving birth to a new freedom. The
repeal of the Payne-Aldrich tariff
law; the enactment of an income tax
law which l regard as but an enter
ing wedge in curling the accumula-
re
of senator's by direct vote of the
people, and the enactment of the
banking-currency law in the face Of
the organized effort of a great and
blinded money power showed
beyond question that a sincerity OF
purpose dominated the democratic
administration, and that back Of the
party there was practically unani-
nous public sentiment.
AS a business man in touch with
the industrial world. / felt sure that
in widening the opportunities to Sc
cure the raw materials which the I'm
derwood- Wilson tariff gives to our
factories, an impetus could be given,
and great good accomplished, in
building up and adding to the indus
tries OF our state.
] believe that the strengthening
of the Sherman antitrust law as pro-
posed by the administration meas
ures now before congress, will lead
to the breaking up Of many of the
Overcapitalized industrial organiza-
lions, and that with competition once
more established the natural loca-
ton for industries will again assert
q controlling influence. This will be
IOwa's opportunity A state admins
tration intelligently alert will be able
to do much in this direction.
Ny acquaintance with business
men in many different fields of COM
mercial and industrial life compels
the belief that the enactment of the
banking and currency law has lifted
a great burden of anxiety from their
shoulders. This relief will find an
expression in renewed courage and
a forward movement, based on a
confidence that the heretofore recur-
rent financial panicS with all the
disaster which they brought are now
things of the past. The control, and
the extension Of credits which were
heretofore in private hands, will
from now on be matter of govern
mental duty, and the danger OF the
undue favoritism of the great trade
combinations which, in most cases,
were organized by the very men
heretofore in control of the banking
facilities OF the country, has been
cared for in the banking and curren-
cy bill
1t must not be forgotten that
President Wilson received the cleo
-ofD ~f q
little short of calamity if the state
refused to endorse the work done by
his administration. Anything which
would cloud the issue would be a
cause for lament.
No one can study the work which
has been done, and which is contem-
plated, without feeling that a peace
full revolution in the interests of the
whole people is being accomplished.
The fact that this great reform
legislation has been bitterly oppos-
ed by the republican senators and
representatives in congress from this
state makes the duty to go before
the people on the issues thus Great
ed test of loyalty to the national
President Wilson
has accomplished a wonderful work
and not only the democrats, but the
citizenship of Iowa generally, should
show their approval by an over
democratic victory this
fall.
My thought was that, with sena-
t0rial and congressional, as we'll as
an election for the full state govern
ment coming on, that it was the duty
of the democratic party in Iowa, in
addition to matters of Importance to
Iowa as state, to discuss, and
bring home to the people full and
complete understanding of all that
has been accomplished, and all that
is contemplated. I felt that with a |
full and open discussion the oppor- !
tunity for Iowa with her great, pros
porous, buying population to locate
new industries and encourage those
we now have, would be brought home
to our people.
4 These are among the things I had |
expected to discuss, I find however,
anti-capitol extension
sentiment in the state and many wish |
to see the campaign more or less of
IN antilles Moines campaign. This