The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-11-16
SAYS DRYS BEAT HIM.
Meredith Declares Temperance Men
Failed to Vote Real Sentiments.

Il '~~~-~-~-N~~.~Ss
Des Moines, Nov. 9.-"I am, of
course, disappointed in the results OF
the election, not on my own account
because assuming the responsibilities
and doing full justice to the great
Office of governor of Iowa is a task
that would make anyone hesitate,
and | feel a sense of relief that | will
not have these burdens to bear.
feel | was standing for the things
that mean a better Iowa and am
disappointed that the people OF Iowa
do not approve such program as
proposed.
'"rhere is only one way to account
for the result. The campaign was
fought on the wet and dry issue.
Those who wished to vote wet did SO
even to the extent of leaving their
party, as evidence by Scott county,,
Dubuque county, Des Moines county
and other heavy democratic counties
reversing themselves and going for
my opponent.
THE dry vote on the other hand is
not so particular about actually re-
cording its sentiments at the polls
and much the larger proportion OF
the dry vote in the republican party
voted the republican ticket rathen
than their convictions on the Hquoi
question. You can not blame the
wet vote for voting its sentiments
that is what the vote is given us for;
but the dry vote can hardly be excus-
ed for voting wet as matter OF par
ty regularity.
Mote the election by the republic
can party in Polk county OF ). 3.
Weaver, dry, as clean, high class a
man as there is in Iowa. man
MANY democrats voted for-and Star
Finger, an ex-saloonkeeper, a gener-
ally recognized wet, running close
second to Mr.. Weaver, clearly indi-
eating that but few republicans
scratched Starzinger.
81 hope the campaign may have
done some good in focusing issues.
am perfectly satisfied with my part
in it. took my position and all
people know exactly what it was. |
smoke to over 500 audiences and in
absolutely every one stated my posi-
ton on the liquor question. AS a
matter Of politics, l stated it too
clearly; but | was not playing poll
tics.
There is one matter in justice to
myself and my supporters l think
should be cleared up in the minds OF
the public. Papers opposing me ran
many editorials deploring the mud
that was thrown and made the sug-
gestion that my supporters threw 1t.
| defy any one to find any persona
attack upon my opponent except
criticism of his official record and his
position on public questions made in
his public speech. They were proper
matters for discussion. Aside from
this, nothing was said of him except
when l, myself, read three aftidavits
regarding Mr.. Harding after dozens
of his papers had written pages OF
outright falsehoods regarding my
self. All that can properly be called
mud, if the people will stop to think
OF it, was thrown by papers oppos-
ing me and then as political tactics
they tried to hang the odium of it
upon me and my supporters. This
would like to have clear in the minds
of the people. With all else,l am per-
fectly satisfied.
Il wish to say TO the people of
Iowa that regardless of the evident
disagreement from my views as re-
Elected by the vote, l am still unal-
terably opposed to the saloon and the
liquor traffic.
Il expect to make fighting the
liquor interests my recreation here
after. ..
II thank my loyal friends. ! wish
l could see each one personally. No
one ever had a more earnest or loyal
support.
Il sincerely hope Mr.. Harding
administration may be one of great
good to the state and I have already
pledged him my earnest support i'll
all that goes to make a bigger, bet
ter and cleaner Iowa"
e. r. MEREDITH.