The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-16

legged. He il not q prominent citizen
OF Davenport. His name does not ap-
pear in the city directory OF that city
never heard Of him before. The Da-
venport papers in discussing these
facts and the patent absurdity of the
statements attributed to him came to
the conclusion that the whole inter
view was a fake and that the name
was probably Snide and not Snider
(Applause). Now, as to yesterday
article:
1t is true that I have declined a re-
nomination for congress, but in every
other material statement this article
is absolutely false. Since voting 1or
the repeal of the act exempting coast
wise ships from canal tolls / have not
heard a single word of disapproval OF
my vote on that measure. directly or
indirectly, from any citizen body OF
citizens of the second congressional
district of Iowa. (Applause).
Pres. Wilson IS so strong in the af-
fections of the people of that district
that during my recent campaign for
congress a pledge was exacted from
me that in all matters coming before
congress during my membership there
in l would support the presidents pol
icies. But, altogether irrespective OF
that pledge, I should have voted for
the repeal upon it's merits as 1 see
them, and in so doing would have re-
Elected the overwhelming sentiment OF
the people OF that district. (Applause).
I have received numerous letters from
my constituents commencing my
course since / cast that vote and have
not received a single one taking the
opposite view, and certainly have not
heard of any resolutions of denuncia-
ton on the part of commercial organ
izations or other bodies. Every news
paper in my district, republican and
democrat alike, as for as l know, is
in favor of that repeal The metro
politan papers largely circulated in
that district, like the republican Chi
cago Tribune, Chicago Record Herald,
and Des Moines Register and Leader.
have all taken a strong stand for the
repeal.
/ am assured that If 1 wifi recon
slider my decision not to run renom-
ination will be given me by the prac-
tcally unanimous vote OF my party at
the primaries. There is little doubt
in my mind that the democratic candi-
date, whoever he may be, will carry
that district next November. My de-
cision not to run again was made
with great regret, and simply and sole
ly because personal interests insis-
tently demand more attention from me
than the exacting duties of my pres
ent position will permit. and my obli-
cation to my wife and children for
bids their sacrifice for the sake of
personal ambition, pleasure. or vanity.
w men L accepted the nomination Tor
the present term 1 was not sure that
1 could serve longer, and so stated to
those asking me to be a candidate.
1 apologize to this house for having
taken this much of its valuable time
on account of newspaper statements
about the youngest and least impor-
tant of it's members, and would not
have done SO if it were not apparent
that the article and interview in ques-
ton were printed as part Of the cam
paign which is being prosecuted by
certain newspapers to discredit the re-
peal bill, as well as those who voted
for it, and to make it appear as though
the country were overwhelmingly OPP
posed to the presidents policy. Cap
plause).
Thus 1t is seen that the manufac-
tured story by which one of Mr..
Hearsts hired men sought to discredit
President Wilson on the tolls repeal
question is properly labelled and dis
posed of. If the other stories which
those newspapers are publishing could
be traced to their source, they would
probably be found to be equally false
and malicious.