Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-05-20

Des Moines, May 2o-Wha.tever
other things might have been observed
at Cedar Rapids this week, il was GER
tainly shown again that the repuD-
lican party is we'll filed with conf
dence this year. Republicans may
disagree radically on a lot Of things.
and they always have. but they come
I'D individually and collectively radiant
with hope and bubbling over with
cheerful expectation. The 300 men
who gathered at the republican state
convention, representing every county
except four: seemed to have no thought
other than that this year 1916 the re-
publican party is coming back 10 pow
err in the nation. and that there is as
surance of continuance OF republican
domination in Iowa no matter what
happens. IT was this" confidence quite
as much as anything else that welded
together groups of men who IN che
past have dlverged widely in their
purposes and brought them all with
one accord into a movement to bring
the pres idency to Iowa. There was
another thing quite prominent. Also
and that was a spirit in politics some
what akin to the business spirit-a
common good. There was present a
goodly number Of persons who have
been engaged for a number Of years
In pushing along the movement for
big things in Iowa There were many
members Of commercial organizations
and booster bodies. And these men
saw that which some politicians in
Iowa have in the past. failed to see.
10
for all Iowa in every way than to have
an Iowa president. These people un-
derstand perfectly well that so long as
there Is the least chance for success
LOYALTY to Iowa demands support OF
Iowa in Iowa presidential aspira-
tions Any other course at this time
IS disloyalty to Iowas best interests.
The cheerfuIness Of delegates was not
greater than that of the flying squad
ron Of candidates present Every one
If the candidates was ready with as
surance that he was going to be NOM
mated next month and be elected. In
the presence Of such radiant optimism
Il Is not strange that not one person
appea red to go into the Hobbies and
utter a discordant note.
There were some among the friends
of candidates for governor who ex-
pressed regret that the "gubernatorial
rridiron'' should have been pulled
off" before the convention. But after
all It was merely a little by-play. 1t
was really helpful all around. On the
law enforcement question they are on
the same platform, so far as utter
ances go On the good roads question
there is not a particle OF difference
Two of them went on record for wo-
man suffrage. All OF them proved TO
he good speakers. All indicated that
| they are we'll abreast OF the times on
| all live subjects And the delegates
! went home better satisfied because OF
| having had the candidates before them
! And in the Hobbies there was much ex-
| change OF information which may help
to clear up the situation.
|
Nothing could have been more sig
nificant than the placing Of applause
when the chairman delivered the key
| note speech. It surprised some per-
! sons to find the convention applaud
! ing. almost unanimously, the strong
expressions Of Mr. Clark for. remova
| of the last discrimination on the vot-
| ing franchise. But the convention was
| Immensely pleased with this express
sion. the convention was responsive
to a wonderful degree in the matter Oh
temperance and plainly indicated thai
prohibition has come to stay. On the
| preparedness question, Chairman Clarl
! was very clear and definite. He spoke
not for the preparedness Of the mum.
tons factories. but for the prepared
ness of the people for defense. He en-
phasized the thought Of the govern.
ment taking over the making Of ARM
and ammunition. He bore dowr
strongly for Just such preparedness Al
is absolutely necessary for the defens'
Of the country and not such as woult
make possible a war OF aggression
The delegates appeared to denonstrat,
w:.h their ~ d. ifIat .:nAea.
stand perfectly well the difference be
i tween the defense program and tn
! war program. On this question tn