The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1914-02-12

in the manufacturers of Iowa rather
than in Des Moines. ] know l could
serve Iowa as we'll and as Impartial
| ly, being citizen of Des Moines, as
though l lived elsewhere in the state.
The feeling against Des MONIES
which is all too genera, throughout
| the state, is undeserved. l know this
| because l have had something to DO
| with the Chamber of Commerce and
| Greater Des Moines Committee WORK.
| There are no more loyal loWans IN
| the whole state than the men who
| make up these committees. Ihey
| would do nothing for Des Moines
they felt was not at the same time
! for the interest OF the state as a
| whole, and in this connection ! wish
to say they are not responsible for
| Capitol Extension.
| | recognize the facts as they are,
however, and ] feel sincerely there
is nothing that can do the democrat
| ic party more harm than strenuous
primary campaign in which differ
ences among ourselves are emphasize
| ed, and if l went into the primaries,
the campaign would be strenuous, as
l would go in to win.
| This does not mean that l unre-
! servedly endorse Capitol Extension,
far from it. The state of Iowa need
ed more ground for the location OF
| additional office buildings. Whether
they needed as much as they bought
| is question. Granted that they did
| not, what they bought in addition
| to actual needs is not of sufficient
Importance to great state like Iowa
or to each citizen as an individual
| to base a campaign on, and l 40
not feel that l can devote my time
| to campaign that will deal largely
with this as an issue. There are in
my judgement, other questions, both
state and national, that far Outshad-
ow it,
Among the state matters | thought
were important and on which a cam
paign should be made were such
questions as a more equitable dlstrl-
button of our taxes, consolidation OF
rural schools, vocational schools,
good roads, prison reforms, elimina-
ton of graft in the building OF our
bridges, greater economy and more
efficiency in the handling OF the
states affairs. Aside from these i'm
portant questions there are many
matters of special interest to farm
ers. | would wish to give special
attention to Iowas needs, and there
are problems in connection with the
industrial development of Iowa that
are of the greatest Importance.
know however, despite the wide
spread support pledged me, that be-
cause of their opinions regarding
capitol extension, some democrats
would be embarrassed with me as
their candidate, and ! have decided
not to enter the primaries.
Regarding the Capitol Extension,
| feel the matter should have been
put up to the people. The people
have a right to say what they do or
do not desire. | am, and have been
for many years, a firm believer in
the initiative and referendum, and
this capitol extension experience,
only emphasizes the necessity of en-
acting into law the democratic prin-
ciples of initiative and referendum.
Governor Clarke should have in
some way submitted the matter to
the people and for not doing so,
rather than for the purchase itself,
he is to be blamed.
The fact we have no such law on
the statute books of Iowa is due
largely to the lack of interest on the
part of a long line of republican
governors, ending with Gov. Clarke,
and a long line of republican legisla-
lures, ending with the one that en-
acted the capitol extension bill into
law, with no provision for submitting
it for approval of the people be-
fore it was put into active operation.
In some ways l regret my decision.
For some reasons / would have been
glad to be a candidate. | would
like to serve Iowa, and had ] not felt
| could render real service, l would
never have considered it even to
the extent of writing you my other
letter. The Office of governor Of
Iowa is one of great honor and re-
sponsibility. l am fully conscious
of the many opportunities it offers
for leadership and public service, and
during the past few weeks have Civ
en- earnest consideration to the ques
ton of becoming candidate for
such office. On the other hand, /
appreciate the responsibility | was
undertaking and the burdens Of an
office such as that of governor, and
l really leGl Solle pei soiloi lSllei III
definitely deciding as | have.
| wish to most sincerely thank you
for the good opinion you have of me.
] hope to always merit it and pos
sibly at another time may ask your
support. For the present, however,
can do no more than thank you
and ask that together with myself,
you take off your coat, go to work.
see the best men possible named for
each place on our ticket and that
they are Overwhelmingly elected.
Again thanking you, beg to re-
main,
Yours very truly,
E. T. Meredith.