Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-05
GATHERED BY THE WAYsIDEs

an army of a half million men, were
doomed to disappointment. He never
once mentioned the half million army.
NO more conservative, careful glitter
ing speech was ever delivered here.
WHAT the president said wouldn't ruff
fle the feelings OF either lingo or a
craven. Best proof of this was the
fact that the following days. and since,
nobody has criticised him, there We're
no heated arguments started, men have
not divided up into groups to argue
pro and con- 1t must be admitted that
only a high class diplomat could so
frame speech on war SO that II
pleased everybody and offended no one.
The chance of letting drop Just one
remark that would stir somebody to
argument or start controversy was
great, but it was passed in safety.
Whereat that portion of Des Moines
which heard the president is read &c
pronounce him a truly great leader OF
his people. On every hand are heard
the heartiest and sincerest expressions
OF good will toward the president.
Now what was the outcome and ef-
feet OF the Wilson meeting? Did he
accomplish anything? Did he find out
anything:
TO both questions there will be as
many different answers as there are
different persons. 1t all depends on the
viewpoint. AS to the accomplishments
of the journey and meeting. II is prob
able that all was accomplished that
was expected, namely, that the people
should have opportunity of seeing and
hearing the president. Of talking about
him. of again demonstrating that all
Americans are loyal TO the chief of
their nation. He did make a favorable
impression. The people who heard
him We're we'll satisfied and pleased.
They We're treasured that they have in
Wilson a safe and sensible president.
one who is doing all In his power.
guided by a high class Intelligence. to
sa fegaard the interests of the nation.
But the president did not find out any
thing, No man could get at the
thoughts of the people surrounded by
an army of armed guards, with sec
ond line OF protection composed of
politicians and professional boosters.
Among republicans generally there
vas the comment that the president
said nothing. that he did not add to
our information as to just what he
wants, that he dealt wholly in gener-
alities and commonplace sentiments
Among the democrats there is dispose
ton to back him up and TO say that
he made great gain for the admins
tration and whatever II may UNDER
take as to the continental army. But
the most significant thing in connec-
ton with the whole matter is that it
is difficult TO induce anybody to talk
about the speech. a.
There has been some complaint here
because OF the very bad arrangements
for the meeting. But they were quite
as good as could be expected from
those who had them in charge. Many
came from a distance and had no
chance to see, 1t was advertised the
doors would be opened at $50, but il
Is fact that at least day before.
there were n good many who got the
tip that the doors would be opened at
$50, and they Went there because they
knew it, The trouble was that more
than half the audience were women
They went to see and not to hear. II
the president did not speak 10 very
many voters II .was all her fault They
went to see her not to hear him. Il
the much advertised bride had not been
with the party the Coliseum would not
have been crowded. So it is the old
story of laying the blame on Inc NO.
man in the case.
Before the democratic state commit
tee completed it's work Of fixing up
convention dates, Ex-senator Ba1Ian
called at the state house and obtained
first hand information as to the 1pri-
mary and convention dates for this
year. This Is what he found out;
Presidential preference primary,
Monday, April 10.
First county conventions. Saturday.
May 8. Y
First state convention, between May
10 and June Z. 800 " z 2
Primary for state ticket. Monday,
June s. 81. yt2 y .
Second county conventions Satur-
day, July 1. 80 .e
Nominating state convention, he
tween July and Aug. 2.
As matter Of fact the republican
as well as the democratic state con-
vention prior to the holding OF the ma
tional convention will he held some
time in May. The democrats selected
the earliest possible date for their con-
yention and put IT az nearly out of the
state as they could. The republican
convention probably will be held about
"a week later, but could be on the same
day or the day following. All the
county conventions are held on the
same day, May s. These conventions