Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-09-30
Why TINE MESSENGER BOLTS HARDING.

| Why TINE MESSENGER BOLTS HARDING.
The Fort Dodge Messenger the
largest and most influential republican
newspaper in the Tenth district is out
Hatfooted against Harding and equally
as decidedly for Meredith
| The Messenger is George e. Roberts
old paper and is edited and owned
by his brother, C. A. Roberts. 1t is
another of those family papers like
the Jefferson Bee which have been re-
publican mileposts thru one genera
| ton to another. There can be no
| more question raised against the re-
publican record of the Messenger than
against the republican party itself. 1t
is the only republican newspaper pub
| lished in Senator Kenyon's home town.
It's former editor, George E. Roberts is
high in national party councils and
held the dictatorship Of the United
States mint under Mckinley. Roosevelt:
and Taft. 1t is certainly a serious sit
uation that brings Paul Stillman to
demand the withdrawal Of the re-
publican candidate and forces the Fort
Dodge Messenger denounce its party's
candidate as "pious two-spot,' a
trimmer and a threat at practical en-
forcement of temperance legislation.
The Messenger says:
Harding Is just what he appears to
be. pleasant mixer; clever poll
tician. He is ambitious; his alliances
politically are unwholesome, and his
election would be a threat at practical
enforcement of temperance legislation
in Iowa. If he is TO be governor those
opposed to him see a vision OF en-
larged and encouraged liquor. railroad,
and corporation interests rallying be-
hind him with greater activity even
than when he was lieutenant governor,
and successfully delaying desirable
legislation and law enforcement that
aid the progress of Iowa. Those who
have encountered the influences that
never sleep about the state house, the
lobby" the interests" or whatever
they are called, think they know Mr..
Harding, his character and disposition
They have his number. The whole
state has been investigating him too
and its going to be difficult for Mr..
Harding to be elected. However, II
his hackers succeed in putting him
across those who have no interest in
politics except that Of the general pub
lie welfare will rest satisfied in having
opposed him because Of their honest
convictions
Harding was nominated largely by
democratic support. His claims as
republican candidate are entitled to
small consideration on that account.
Harding is a politician. Meredith Is
business man. II elected governor,
Meredith will have a business admin
istration thruout. judging from his
private career, he being one OF the
ablest and most successful publishers
in the state. Harding, If elected. Will
continue to trim according to political
exigencies, for that has been his past
record.
Harding is pinning his hopes for
election upon large plurality in Iowa
for Hughes The state is normally
republican, but that means in an ex-
change Of scratched ballots more dry
republicans will vote for Meredith
than wet democrats will vote for Hard
ing. Even the big wave which is gen.
orally expected for Hughes in Iowa
does not guarantee that Harding will
participate in the triumphant result Tor
there Is no longer a circle at the head
Of the ballot and straight tickets are
voted only by an expression OF pref
erence on each office.
Party lines are down on the gov
ernorship. The tom toms and the war
drums may beat to march republicans
up to vote solidly for Harding but its
"old stuff" which thousands will not
obey. The party regularity" slogan
does not mean any more to repuoil-
can than to a democrat and thousands
of wet democrats intend to bolt Mere
dith for Harding.
Harding points to his church affilia-
lions and family ties to show he Is
good citizen. No charges have been
made against Hardings personal
habits No doubt his record is clear in
that regard just as Meredith's is, altho
an absurd attempt is made to sho"
that at a certain banquet, or maybe II
was on a dining car, Meredith took
drink Of something or other. That IS
not nearly so important as Is the mat
ter Of what an official accomplishes In
public affairs. u. S. Grant and An
drew Jackson were criticised for i'm
bibing but they made things hum on
anything they went after and such
men will always cause more general
admiration than a pious two-spot.
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