Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-11-21
REP|]RIICANS HOLD
R0USING Meeting
A. M. CLOUD OF THIS CITY GETS
ENDORSEMENT OF THREE
EASTERN COUNTIES.
WATERLOO MAN ALSO MENTIONED
Representation from Western COun-
ties too Small to Decide on Any
Candidate.

The anti-Sweet republican gathering
at independence last Friday afternoon
was we'll attended. 1t is estimated that
about four hundred were present,
mostly from Delaware, Buchanan and
Blackhawk counties, one Of which 1t
was conceded would furnish the can
didate to make the race against Mr..
Sweet at the primary election. The
candidacy of Mr.. A. M. Cloud of this
city, drew a large number from this
county. More than half of the total
attendance, it is estimated, came from
Delaware county. The gathering
strongly emphasized the fact that there
is a pronounced sentiment in his own
party against the return Of Burton f
Sweet to congress. Those present
were of one mind concerning the need
of another man. This was shown by
the following resolution offered by H.
L. Ram of this city, which was unan-
imously adopted:
Whereas, strong and rapidly
growing sentiment against the re-elec-
ton to congress from the Third dis
trict of Iowa of the Hon. Burton E.
Sweet has arisen in the district, and
Whereas, this sentiment has been
inspired solely by the public attitude
and the utterances and published
speeches of Congressman Sweet with
reference to the whole-hearted parti-
cipation of this government in our
struggle against autocratic Germany;
and
Whereas, Congressman Sweets at
titute has not been that Of an Ameri-
can in public life, wholly, frankly and
unreservedly committed to a vigorous
prosecution of this war in concert
with our allies, but has been apollo
getic, vacillating and evasive, and
whereas, the mass of the voters OF
the Third district of Iowa are enthu-
siastically loyal to their government in
it's hour of trial and are entitled to
be represented in the halls Of congress
by a man whose unswearving and
devotion to the ideals and
purposes of the American people can
not be brought into question:
Therefore, be it resolved that this
conference Of republicans Of the Third
district of, Iowa voluntarily assembled
out Of protest to<the reelection of the
present representative in congress,
does here and now 60 on record in de-
claring the need, for the candidacy of
an out,and-out pro-American and we
do heartily pledge that candidate our
loyal and enthusiastic support in a
campaign which shall represent the
patriotic sentiment of the district"
The rock which the conference. split
on was the selection Of the candidate
to oppose Sweet. The purpose of the
gathering was to organize the anti
Sweet adherents, canvass the list OF
candidates, agree upon the most avail
able man and unite in his support.
Mr.. Cloud of this city and Mayor w.
R. Law Of Waterloo were the only can
didates considered. At the outset
difference of opinion arose as to the
method to be adopted in voting. Della
ware county was there with the num-
bers and because of this fact the sup
porters Of Mr.. Law opposed a viva voce
vote, intimating that the convention
had been packed in the interests of
Mr.. Cloud and that Delaware county
would have more Of a voice in the
choosing of a candidate than all Of the
rest of the district put together by
this method Of voting. AS it appeared
to the local delegates the Waterloo
crowd got cold feet when they saw
that their candidate was in for trim
ming. Mr.. Clouds friends say the
meeting was set on the day and at In
dependence according to Mr.. Laws
suggestion and that he expressly
agreed to abide by the decision of the
gathering.
A method Of voting was finally
agreed upon which provided for the
holding of a caleus by those repre-
senting each county and the voting IN
the convention by counties. The re-
suit Of this vote was that Dubuque,
Delaware and Buchanan voted for MIR.
Cloud, Black Hawk refused to vote
and the representatives from the re-
naming counties of the district decided
to express no preference on the ground
that the number present was too small
to warrant them in committing their
counties to any candidate. Upon this
action Mr.. Clouds friends assert that
he is fairly entitled to clear field III
opposing Mr.. Sweet in the primary. al
though they do not conceal their dis
appointment in failing to secure a
unanimous and harmonious endorse
ment from the district. Mr.. Law has
not given any public expression as to
his candidacy. 1t is understood that
he expects to be candidate and Mr..
Clouds friends say that if he is
an active campaign will be waged
against him in his own county, and
that they expect Mr. Cloud to carry
Black Hawk county against Mr.. Law