Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-12-30
Deems PRESSED TO.
run FOR GOVERNOR.
FARMERS or DIES MONIES couN-
TY CALL ON co.WoRkER TO
,f MAKE THE RACE.
NO DECISION MADE

| Statement Is Made That the Best IN
terests OF the State Require More
Attention to Agricultur-
alists
Burlington. Dec. 80. - A delegation
of twenty-six representative farmers
from Des Moines county, met at the
Burlington Commercial exchange
building yesterday and decided to
bring pressure upon J. F. Deems OF
this city, to enter the race for the
governership Of Iowa as candidate
at the republican state primaries, Ihe
delegation was a non-partisan one ane
1t was stated at the meeting that II
could have been swelled to a thousand
had the effort been made. Following
the adoption Of resolutions, the party
repaired to the famous Deems farm al
Forestdale where Mr.. Deems was
found working in the spacious barn
The delegation was soon seated In the
handsome living room of the big new
Deems house and the object OF the
visit was made known. Mr.. Deems
declined to make positive decision
but evidenced being In receptive
mood and promised consideration Of
the request of his fellow farmers.
Following Is the resolution which
the farmers presented to Mr.. Deems:
Hon. ]. F.. Deems, West Burlington,
Des Moines county, Iowa.
Your neighbors and citizens OF Des
MONIES and adjoining counties, espec-
Tally interested in the agricultural de-
velopment of Iowa, hereby petition
you to allow us to present your name
to the republicans Of Iowa for the Of
flee OF governor.
You are a practical farmer, and your
labors among us show that you be-
lieve in the development Of the natural
resources of Iowa. You have shown
us by your industry that agricultural
development in this state Is In its IN.
fancy; that future wealth and happi-
ness depends upon the education OF
our sons and daughters to know the
true worth Of Iowa and cultivate de-
sire to remain at home to study and
improve her natural resources.
Your knowledge Of the upbuildfng OF
our soils by means Of fertilizers and
growing OF alfalfa and kindred crops,
the experiments directed by you in
rearing hogs and cattle, your love for
,ountry life, the improvement Of pub
lie roads and public enterprises. and
he methodical and practical methods
~ which they are handled, lead us to
believe that man OF your stamp Of
and character, Is needed
FOR our future welfare.
You have never held political Of
fice, but your success as private cit
lien In other lines, demonstrates your
ability to hold such a position OF honor
md trust for the good of all our people
md the development Of Greater
iowa.
We therefore petition you by this
declaration and our presence the priv
lege Of presenting your name to the
OF Iowa as a candidate for
governor at the June primaries OF
1916.
Mr.. Deems Reply.
Mr.. Deems was yisibly affected by
he petition, representing the conf
lence which his friends and neighbors
had in him, In reply to the petition
ne spoke substantially as follows:
Gentleman: I am not going to say
this Is the first have known OF the
among my friends from
many parts Of the state to induce me
to come out as q candidate for govern
Or; but must say this particular DEM
onstration is in the nature of sur
prise, and I can say truthfully there
has never been anything of a similar
character in my life that has impress
ed me more deeply than this.
It is not easy to imagine greater
than to have such re-
quest or petition come from ones
friends and neighbors, and can as
sure you it is greatly appreciated.
want to say here and now that
great as is the honor of being govern
or OF "Bountiful Iowa." it could not af-
ford me as much real happiness as is
given by this expression Of confidence
coming from my co-workers, the far
mers Of Des MONIES county and VI
entity.
To sit here this afternoon and dis
cu6S Will you Lu6 SUBJECT nearest lily
heart - that is the various aspects
Of our farming interests, rather than
politics, would be much more to my
liking, as IA imagine It would be to
yours. ss
But there are some aspects of the
agricultural interests Of Iowa, as re-
atad to the politics Of the state that
seem to- At Ia tor q little discussion on
his occasions. ;s
According I'd reliable statistics ap-
proximately seventy per cent Of the
Of Iowa, or seven out of
svery ten persons IN the state are far
ners or members of, farmers families.
Quite recently ! saw a statement
some place to the effect that ninety-six
per cent or ninety-six cents out Of
svery dollar Of wealth actually produc-
I'D in Iowa comes from the farmers =
rom SIowa's peerless SOIL
Now. If this Is true ~ and I guess it
,an't be questioned - 1t is not surpris-
ng that the farmers are beginning to
EEL that they are entitled toYmore of
! voice In matters pertaining to the
of the state - the surpris-
ng thing Is that they did not reach
his conclusion long ago.
& r 1,xox,, ard JDroal1rno Won all know,