Manchester Democrat., 1916-03-29
MEREDITH ENDORSES MARSH.

I have just returned from a two
months absence and am advised OF
the so-called "Progressive'' ticket for
delegates to National Convention and
Mr.. Dunn's candidacy for National
Committeeman.
Before 1 left for the south, I agreed
| to be candidate for a place as a
delegate at large. 1t is an honor j
would much appreciate, and several
friends were good enough to suggest
1 stand for it. Whether am a dele
gate or not is Of no moment and can
not affect the Party in Iowa one way
or another. I do not believe the pro-
moters of any other candidacy meant
to suggest that l might not be progress
sive enough to suit them. If so, it
is a new cause of complaint against
me, as the criticism generally was that
I was too progressive-in fact, I have
been accused of being very radical
Personally, this pleases me and it
does not please me to be called re-
dictionary. The purpose of this letter
however is not to make a plea in my
behalf.
AS stated, it makes no difference
who goes to St. Louis as delegates
from Iowa. One man can cast his
vote for Woodrow Wilson as we'll as
another, and it goes without saying
every Democrat in Iowa is for Mr..
Wilson. Any delegation will select
suitable members of committee on res
olutions.
There is one very important matter
in this whole affair, however,-one in
which hope you may take person.
al interest-and one, I believe, upon
whichS}the welfare of our party in
love- epends; one Of most vital con-
sequ ee, and that is the matter Of
Natl hl Committeeman. We have in
MIR. 1 w, Marsh one of the strong
mem rs Of the committee-one who
can properly represent Iowa. .:4ts
the first meeting of the committee,
after his election, he was made a
Of the subcommittee to have
in charge all arrangements for the St.
Louis Convention. This committee
nominates all the temporary officers
of the convention.
He was talked of as Treasurer of
the Committee and would have been
elected Treasurer had Mr. Wells re-
signed as he had planned on doing.
Mr.. Marsh will, if reelected to the
committee, in all probability be elect
I'd Treasurer to the Committee and
nave much to do with Western Head
quarters at Chicago, if-not be, in fact,
Western Manager. He is capable, en-
srgetic, abundantly able financially to
make the sacrifice. He is rated a big
nan, and is a big man. He has the
owe Of Iowa in his heart, is true
Democrat and Progressive. ~ -: 4
Because of differences twenty years
lgo some have said to me that Mr.
Marsh was not progressive. I say
o you openly and frankly-Ie am dry
Il have been and am for all that has
'een and is ogressive-Election of
senator's by direct vote, Income Tax, |
federal Reserve Law which puts con-
rol of our currency in the hands OF
he people and takes it away from
Wall Street; I am for Government !
operation of telegraph and for other
hings that might be considered by
some as too progressive-and yet I
'ay to you solemnly and sincerely |
hat WI W Marsh is progressive
enough to satisfy me. He is. a true
ic;n -; oh, ~
nan that has been and is making more
sacrifices for the Democratic Party
Ind Iowa every day than many Of US
10 in weeks or months.
I say to you, when we can get such
/ man to sacrifice his own business to
serve \us, it is only good business to
;ake advantage of it.
I hesitate to mention Mr.. Dunn. II
have no personal quarrel with him,
but I am convinced that his candidacy
IS dictated by personal motives and
not because he considers himself
better able to serve the Party than is
Mr.. Marsh. Personally, I feel the
Party would be making big sacrifice
to please Mr.. Dunn if they should see
fit to give him the place of National
Committeeman over a man Of Mr.
Marsh's calibre. I understand the con-
ference which put forward Mr.. Dunn's
candidacy was called by Mr.. Dunn
himself so it is largely to satisfy his
personal ambition and not because of
any general demand upon him to be
a candidate.
This is not my fight. It is a matter
Of no personal consequence to me.
am simply interested, as you are, in
doing what is best for the Party in
Iowa, but if I had the choice of these
two men to serve in my business
know which I would take, and this is
not said in disagreement of Mr.. Dunn.
He is capable, but he is not as cap
able as Mr.. Marsh; he has not had the
he does not have the ma
tion-wide acquaintance, and he is to
a far greater extent Influenced by his
own personal feelings.
I am interested in seeing that pres
tige and respect is brought to the
rarty in Iowa and there is no more
affective way to do this than by having
an exceptionally capable member of
The National Committee. Mr. Marsh
H.. IL = L: