The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-10-11

ers on the liquor question as that o
the democratic party. need not re
mind you that If the history of the tw'
leading parties in the past is to be con
sidered one must be very credulou
indeed to expect progress in temper
ance legislation from the democratic
party in Iowa. 1t is my desire in thes'
lines to seem as nonpartisan as pos
sible. However lifelong republican
as we'll as lifelong foe to the use o
Intoxicating liquors, the fact is that
supported Senator Allen in the pri
mary election, but when Mr. Harding
was fairly nominated and when HI
accepted without hesitation the decla
ration of our historically dry party OF
the liquor question I unhesitatingl,
gave him my support! because I be
lieyed the could be trusted to carry
QUIT the party will. H., T.: a.5.4.r,,,,
Calling your attention further tt
! the fact that man to whom temper
Iance Legislation. has meant so much
as to Senator Kenyon would not de
lclara. his unqualified faith in, Mr.. Hard
ing unless he honestly believed thai
the cause of reform for which he has
so faithfully stood would be safe ir
his hands. ~. ~-'s t
1.-THE report of Mr.. Meredith's ques
tionable habits has not seemed to in
terest the leaders of our church, and
repeatedly resolutions have been pass
ed declaring him to be clean and up
right in his life. Therefore, esteem
lit my painful duty to bring to your
attention some incidents in his life
quite to the reverse of the declara
ton of our conferences, and we verify
believe that-,our ministers must in
many cases be misinformed as to the
|private character of this man, or they
vote with the majority unadvised OF
the facts that am now about to
bring to your notice. cannot take
your time to recite all of the Incl
dents of which have proof, and a
few of them must suffice as sample
|of this candidates public and private
habits 81. ae -
I, $50 far asi,I know, the first descrip.
tion Of Mr. Meredith by himself that
he. was absolutely dry, the driest OF
the drys, whichsswas his statement at
Oakland, Iowa. early In the campaign.
That the extent Of his drinking was
la glass or two of champagne at ban.
|quet.. Investigations following this
statement prove that it was only a
fraction of the truth, lacking Z very
largely of the whole truth, and In or.
der to prove my assertions / now call
your attention to Mr.. Meredith's join.
ling seven friends at the late demo.
cratic convention. himself ordering
and drinking apricote brandy and per.
sonally paying for one round of the
drinks.
I'm the early spring months of 1915
Mr.. Meredith attended bankers
group meeting in the town of Manson
which was then understood to be an
absolutely dry town, yet Mr.. Meredith
attended beer drink in business
office at the time and drank beer with
the other guests present.
In June, 1914, Mr.. Meredith gave a
banquet in the city of Des Moines. 1t
is reliably stated by guest at that
banquet that he served cocktails.
champagne, light wines and other in.
liquors and drank with his
guests.
"Undisputed evidence is in my hands
that in the year 1914, when Mr.. Mere
dith was candidate for the United
States senate against Morris Connolly
|Of Dubuque, he made statement tC
three men, who had been introduced
to him, in" substance as follows: j
want your support In this fight. j
want you to know that am with you.
] believe in the open saloon. am too
busy to frequent them myself. l keep
liquor in my house at all times, and
have liquor served. / am away from
home great deal of the time and in
states where it Is permitted have
liquor with my meals. l belong to a
club in Des Moines where liquor is
permitted to be served, and never
turn my glass down. want you when
you hear reports of my being dry to
,refute the statement on the strength
of my word given here to YOU that ]
am not prohibitionist In any sense.
81 am writing at too great length
but must recite another incident OF
another character. In regard to 3
meeting that took place In the month
of June 1916, Meredith meeting
two gentlemen from Iowa of his &C.
quaintance who are very dependable
stated to them that he had just pulled
ont of poker game where he had
PLAYED for high stakes.
The writer Is slowly recovering
from a two months illness and am
only able to be active very few hours
each day. Therefore, will be unable
to attend the Methodist conference Of
northwest Iowa, which has been my
custom for many years. Therefore,
cannot take this matter up in person
and am using this method of getting
these facts before you, all of which ]
can substantiate when called upon to
do so, but felt lit my boundeh duty to
place them before you and in some
way will undertake to get them be.
fore majority of the members of the
conference. Then, if they feel it their
duty to declare themselves in body
In favor of this candidate and hold
his life up as an example before
Methodism, shall have discharged my
duty in furnishing the foregoing facts
Begging to remain yours truly, M. w
FitZ."
100000 TRAiNMEN FOR WILSON?
The editorial in the Sioux City Jour.
no ~ f,r,o 1ox M