The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-02-24
DEEMS NOT A CANDIDATE.
Reply to the Farmers and business
Men Who Desired His Nomina-
ton for Governor.

Mr.. j. +. Deems, or DeS Mollles
county, has decided not to be can
didate for the republican nomination
for governor of Iowa. His reply here
with published is in response to a
petition of Des Moines county farm
ers, and to a subsequent gathering
at Burlington of republicans of the
First congressional district, at when
resolutions were unanimously adopt
ed advocating his nomination:
Feb. Is, 1916.
Mr.. J. L. Waite, Chairman,
Mr.. Howard Matthew'S, Chairman.
Gentlemen:- to an illness
of about fifteen days and other cir
cumstances quite beyond my control,
it has been necessary for me to post
pone my decision relative to being a
candidate for governor somewhat be-
yond the time set for replying to you
at the meeting in Burlington on jan
u;.ry 18th.
Aside from the circumstance refer
red to above, it has not been easy TOT
me to reach decision.
On the one hand is the urgent IN
sistence of men prominent IN busl-
ness and political affairs from various
parts of the state that l permit the
use of my anne.
The men behind the movement
were impelled by sincere CONVICTION
that a real need exists in Iowa today
for a business administration by
business man whose experience mas
been extensive and varied, and who
is now devoting practically all, and
has for years devoted much OF MS
time to practical agricultural ques-
lions, and who is specially interested
in agriculture in Iowa.
To have been sought out by these
men under such circumstances is
not to be lightly consld-
cred and an honor so great that IT is
difficult for me to adequately express
my deep sense of appreciation.
On the other hand, although trying
to be relieved OF practically all direct
activities in connection with my out
side business interests, | have as yet
been unable to do SO to an extent that
could feel myself acting in spirit
of strict fairness to my business as
sociates of many years standing by
allowing my time to be completely
by the strenuous actlV-
But even more important than this,
and perhaps nearer my heart, is the
demonstrating work l am just get
ting under way here on my farm.
Within the next few years this
work will be advanced to point
where it should be of great value to
this community, if not to the entire
state, in proving what can be done
in the way of conserving the fertility
of Iowa soil ana the results that can
be obtained by the application OF the
best possible methods of intensive ag-
riculture to an Iowa farm of average
size.
To my mind the all-important bus
mess question in Iowa today is the
of the soil, or in other
words, to maintain the earning pow
er of the state by maintaining the
fertility of the soil.
Shall Iowa follow in the wake OF
the Eastern states and deplete to the
point of exhaustion the great earn
ing power of the state, through ne
elect of this important question, or
will she, before it is too late heed
the example of some of the older
civilizations where the soil has been
cultivated for three thousand years
and today is producing maximum re-
suits?
If | can do something here on my
farm or otherwise, to awaken interest
in this vital question in the next few
years, l shall feel that | have done
the state a real esrvice, and will at
the same time have realized a cher
shed ambition.
To those who know my taste and
ny surroundings here on my farm, |
need not refer to the sacrifice that
would be entailed by engaging in
politics. Neither should this weigh
is against my duty to the state.
But in view Of the other considera-
ions cited, believe those who have
been so earnest in their endeavor to
influence me will believe / am justi
led at this time.
Again assuring all those interest
I'd of my appreciation Of the motives
their action, as we'll as the
great honor conferred on, me by be-
ng urged by large body of sincere,
earnest men, to become candidate |
or such a high office, l am, yours
.ruly, J. F. DEEMS.