Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-23
A BOLD DEFENSE OF HARDING.

The Cedar Rapids Republican is the
boldest champion of Harding in Iowa
and here is its presentation OF its
candidates claims, with a few inter-
polations by the editor:
He was born in Iowa" and so might
Ford have been, his client the gun man
but it did not At him for governor.
HE grew up in Iowa and so might
Del Huntoon, political manager for the
saloon interests with whom Harding
was so anxious to get solid.
He was BORN also in h Methodist
church but Bishop Stuntz says that
this has not made him fit to be gov
rno
He was educated in a Methodist col
lege," and the college president says
that he cannot support him for gov
ernor.
He prepared himself for law al
iowa City" and he voted against the
bill which would have barred saloons
from that college town.
In Sioux City. where he practices
law, he Is a member of the Methodist
church" and both the present pastor
and his former pastor have said that
ne ought not be elected governor.
LAS we'll as a bank director" and The
clearing house association OF banks in
Sioux City hoes not seem to view his
bank as Of sufficient importance TO be
admitted to membership in the clear
ing house association.
H was sent to the state legisla-
ture and sent back again." and there
he wrote the record in politics which
has caused a considerable part Of the
| republican party to refuse him their
usual party support.
He was elected lieutenant governor
yes, by making himself solid with Del
Huntoon, political manager for the sa-
loon interests and receiving the wet
vote and support Of the corporate in
t~erests.
And then he was reelected putting
the stamp of approval upon all Of his
public services" but it put a great
many more stamps upon letters
sent out by the secretary OF the Iowa
Liquor Dealers Association urging sa-
loon keepers to vote for him.
1T is a distinguished career for a
man hardly turned forty which also
indicates tina there is yet time for
more of the same kind of distinction.
The vets are sure OF it.
Admit, for the sake Of argument,
hat Mr.. Harding a not in every in
stance, or any instance. voted on
| liquor questions as his Methodist pas
tor might have voted does that estab-
lish badness in any d~egree?" Admit
ted. He never has so voted, therefore
ask the Methodists.
The writer must confess if he had
beer a member Of the legislature he
would have voted. in every instance, as
Mr.. Harding voted o. the Mulct ques-
| ton and on the white slave law, too:
There is Harding's case ably pre-
scented by his best friend. a man who
would have voted on every ques-
ton as Harding voted, who
| would have voted for a paved road law
and then sailed boldly forth to save
the farmers from paved roads. who
| would have voted for a tax commits
| sion but would now abolish the high
way commission, who would let the
people vote road bonds in Waterloo
but at Oakland oes not want then
turned loose to vote bonds for my chill.
dren to pay"
Isn't it merely a difference of opin'
ion?" inquiries the Republican and i
certainly is. It is about the most serl'
GUS difference that has ever disrupt
ed a political party.
Since when nav we all learned t
think alike?" Only since the Harding
fellows have insisted that his nomina
ton entities him to an election.