Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-06
THE COST OF INDEPENDENCE.

The state political campaign is at an
end and this newspaper is exceedingly
glad of 1t. II is no trivial sacrifice for
a newspaper TO repudiate the regular
nominee of the party which il has sup
ported during a long period Of years,
Its readers will not all accept the
newspapers Judgment as to candidates
and when they do not agree with the
policy OF the newspaper they often
seek TO give expression to their dis
agreement by attacks upon the news
papers business SO 10 follow the line Of
least resistance would be 10 do as cam
didates and politicians do and remain
regular
The Times Republican. however is
published by men who have convic-
tons which are born of conscience and
they are not willing to support a man
for office whom they deem thoroughly
unfit even tho the accident of politics
has given 10 him party nomination.
In this campaign the Times-Republi-
can knows so much about the republic
can candidate for governor and the in
terests back Of him that makes him
unfit that It could not support him.
Knowing these things this newspaper
has followed its conscience and its
Judgment rather than be an opportu-
mist. Personal liberty has been the
privilege claimed for its editors and
personal liberty of that kind IS hereby
freely conceded 20 others.
However there has been no attack
by innuendo, no hitting below the belt
in assault upon personal character
however unfit we have considered the
republican candidate for governor. Our
indictment has been upon his public
record He has voted for the booze
crowd thru practically all of his legis-
iative career and he was nominated by
the vets in the primary. The active
forces behind his campaign for election
have been those who are opposed TO
strict enforcement Of the prohibitory
laws, including the saloon interests and
special corporate interests that seek to
evade regulation strictly in the public
interest For party reasons many
others have remained regular while
privately admitting their disgust. They
are entitled 20 the same liberty Of
judgment.
Not one single assertion as to the
public records or exhibits presented IN
OPPOSITION to the republican candidate
have been denied in this campaign and
practically all have been admitted by
the candidate himself. On tho other
against Mr.. Meredith has been both de-
MED by Meredith and by reputable and
responsible friends who have knowl-
edge OF the facts. The raids made up
on his private business investments,
assaults upon his personal character
and attacks by innuendo have been
has ever occurred in our state politics.
This campaign has been characteristic
Of a saloon fight and saloon methods in
politics. It has been disgusting.
The Tines-Republican can support
republican candidates for president,
congress and nearly all Of the state
and county offices bur 1t could not
support the republican candidate for
governor and the reasons have been
gwen. Every individual! voter is con-
coded that same liberty Of opinion and
n return every citizen should concede
10 this newspaper not only its liberty
Of opinion but full credit FOR sincerity
in its beliefs. Let's hope that the re-
publican party can make better nom
nations hereafter.