History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 36

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 36

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1843 .- A Whig Territorial Convention was called to meet at Iowa City, July 19, but the Central Committee finally abandoned it, and the Whigs supported without convention or resolutions William H. Wallace for Congress. The Democrats met in Iowa City, June 26, and re-nominated Gen. A. C. Dodge for Congress and adjourned without adopting resolutions, having appointed a committee to prepare an address to the people. The canvass was quite spirited in this county, both parties placing tickets in the field. G. C. R. Mitchell was the Whig nominee for representa- tive and James Grant the Democratic. Both candidates afterward became distinguished men in county and State.

In this county the Whigs for the first time were entirely success- ful, electing every candidate for local office, and giving Mr. Wal- lace 23 majority over Gen. Dodge.

1844 .- A presidential campaign is always more or less exciting, but the campaign of 1844, except in a few localities, was not to be compared with that of 1840. Iowa still being under Territorial control could have no part in the election of a President. The first election this year was for or against a Constitutional Convention. Scott County voted against it by a majority of 61. The Whigs held a State Convention at Iowa City, Jan. 9, and adopted a series of resolutions, embracing the following points: 1, Objection to the prostitution of the patronage of the President and of Government officers to the service of party, and in favor of one presidential termi; 2, Opposition to use of funds arising from the sale of public lands, and opposition to direct taxation; 3, In favor of distribution of the funds arising from sale of public lands to the several States; 4, In favor of a National currency and internal improvements; 5, In favor of a protective tariff. The Demo- erats this year adopted no platform. . The officers to be voted for

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

were county commissioner, commissioner's clerk, recorder and treasurer. The Democracy were successful in electing their en- tire ticket.

1845 .- The Constitutional Convention elected in 1844 framed a constitution, which was submitted to Congress for its approval, and on March 3, 1845, an act was passed for the admission of Iowa as a State, in which the northern and western boundaries of the State were curtailed. At an election in April, the people of the Territory rejected this constitution, and also refused to accept it after a subsequent act of Congress, at the election in August. At the April election Scott County voted against it by a majority of 122 out of a total vote of 460. At this same election members of the Legislature were elected. Laurel Summers was the Democratic candidate for the Council and was opposed by Z. Metcalf, Whig. Mr. Summers was elected. For the House, J. M. Robertson, Whig, was opposed by E. S. Wing, Democrat. Mr. Robertson was elected. At the Angust election for conrt officers the Democrats were suc- cessful.

1846 .- County officers were to be elected, and full tickets were nominated by both the Democratic and Whig parties. The total vote cast was 547, the entire Democratic ticket being elected save that of probate judge, James Thorington, Whig, being elected over C. Weston, Democrat, by a majority of SS. The majorities of the Democratic candidates ranged from three to 148, the latter being received by J. D. Evans, for recorder, over W. S. Collins ; and the former by E. S. Wing, over Ebenezer Cook. A. II. Dav- enport, for sheriff, received a majority of 139 over E. A. Rigg, Whig. A vote on the State Constitution was taken at the same election, resulting in a majority of 51 for, out of a total vote of 541. After the adoption of the constitution the contending parties began to prepare for the first State election. In response to the call signed by the Whig Central Committee the Whig Convention met at Iowa City, Sept. 25, and nominated a State ticket. The Democratic Con- vention met in Iowa City, Sept. 24, and after nominating a ticket adopted a series of resolutions.

1847 .- The Legislature, by an act approved Feb. 24, 1847, created a Board of Public Works for the improvement of the Des Moines River, and provided for the election on the first Monday in the fol- lowing August. of a president, secretary and treasurer of such board. The Democratic State Convention met June 11, at Iowa City, and after nominating candidates adopted a platform favoring

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY,

the prosecution of the war with Mexico, pledging support to President Polk, thanking Genls. Scott and Taylor, approving the conduct of the Democratic members of the State Legislature, and in favor of free schools. The Whigs placed a ticket in the field but passed no resolutions. In this county the vote was close between the parties, the Whigs electing prosecuting attorney, probate judge, and surveyor, while the Democrats elected sheriff, recorder, and commissioner's clerk. The Whig candidate for Congress had a majority of 13.

1848 .- This was the first presidential campaign in which the voters of Iowa had a direct interest, and in which the vote of the people would be counted for or against one of the presidential can- didates. Zachary Taylor, the hero of Buena Vista, was placed in nomination for the presidency by the Whigs; Lewis Cass, the em- inent statesman of Michigan, by the Democrats; and Martin Van Buren, by the Free-Soil party. State officers were to be elected with exception of governor and lieutenant-governor, and each of the three parties placed a ticket in the field. The Whigs of the State were the first to meet in convention, assembling at Iowa City, May 11, and nominating a full State ticket, and adopting a platform in which they declared the right of the people to assemble in conven- tion and to criticise the acts of their public servants, and charging the Democratic administration of President Polk with abandoning the principles of true republicanism, as tanght by Washington, Jefferson, and Madison; denying that Whigs were disloyal; in favorof the Wilmot proviso; in favor of the improvement of the Mississippi River; in favor of Taylor for the presidency. The Democrats met in covention at Iowa City, June 1, and placed in nomination a ticket. Shepherd Lefler was the Democratic, and Timothy Davis the Whig candidate for Congress. In this county the fight centered principally upon the representative in the Legisla- ture, John D. Evans being the Democratic candidate, and A. C. Fulton, the Whig. The vote was close, Mr. Evans receiving a majority of six out of a total of 688. For President, Lewis Cass re- ceived a majority over Taylor of 31, and a majority of one over both Taylor and Van Buren.

1849 .- Only members of the Board of Public Works were to be elected, and conventions were held by both parties at Iowa City and the usual resolutions adopted. For county officers the election was of much interest, and party lines were not very closely drawn. Harvey Leonard was elected sheriff over Enos Tichenor by a ma-

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

jority of 261. The Democrats succeeded in eleeting sheriff, re- corder, county commissioner's clerk, and surveyor; while the Whigs elected prosecuting attorney, coroner, and probate judge. For the latter office, James Thorington had no opposition.

1850 .- Both State and county officers were to be elected this year. S. Hempstead was the Democratic nominee for governor, and was opposed by J. L. Thompson, the Whig candidate for the same office. The Free-Soil party also had a candidate in the per- son of W. P. Clark, but its vote in Scott County, as well as in the State, was quite small. Mr. Clark received four votes in this county, all being cast in the city of Davenport. As usual, the Democrats carried the county, their majorities ranging from 42 to 96, the latter being received by M. E. Leffingwell, candidate for State senator. For representative Laurel Summers was the Dem- ocratie candidate, and A. C. Fulton, the Whig candidate. Both were popular in their respective communities. Scott County had voted to aid in the construction of the Rock Island & La Salle Rail- road, and Mr. Fulton was a strong advocate of the measure, while Mr. Summers opposed, as did the majority of voters in the neigli- borhood of Le Claire, the home of Mr. Summers. To this fact, in a measure, Mr. Summers owes his election, the Whigs of Le Claire all voting for him save eight. A. W. McGregor, the Whig candi- date for prosecuting attorney, had no opposition, and he was the only one of that party elected. Of the State officers, Mr. Ilemp- stead, for governor, received 67 majority, and Israel Kester, for State treasurer, 60 majority, which shows the party strength. The total vote cast at this election was 776.

1851 .- County officers alone were to be elected this year. Good men were nominated by both parties, and one at least was elected upon his personal popularity, and another ran far ahead of his ticket. William Burris, the Whig candidate for county judge, was elected by a majority of 166, while Harvey Leonard, Demo- cratic candidate for sheriff, had 160 majority. The remainder of the Democratic ticket was elected by majorities ranging from 29 to st. Iliram Price, Democratie candidate for recorder, had no opposition, and received about 25 per cent. more than the party vote.

1852 .- The Whigs were first in the field in this State, their con- vention being held at Iowa City, Feb. 26, where a State ticket was nominated and a platform was adopted.

The Democrats met in convention at the capital May 28, and nominated a ticket.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

The Whigs again placed in the field as their nominee for the presidency a military chieftain, one who in the war of 1812 and in the Mexican war distinguished himself in such a manner as to win the praise of the whole country-Gen. Winfield Scott. He was confronted by Franklin Pierce, who, though ranking as general, was not considered the military hero as was General Scott. The Free Soil party, though having no hopes of electing their ticket, placed John P. Hale in the field as a candidate for the same office. John P. Cook, of Davenport, was the Whig nominee for Congress, and was opposed by Lincoln Clark, the nominee of the Democ- raey. The canvass was spirited and resulted in the election of Mr. Cook, who was quite popular. In this county there was a great deal of scratching of tickets, as is shown by the vote. The Demo- cratie candidates for State officers received majorities ranging from 188 to 199, while the Whig candidate for Congress had 33 ma- jority, and for clerk of the District Court a majority of 88. The Democratic candidate for proseenting attorney had 295 majority, and for State Senator, 62. The total vote at the August election was 1,037. At the November election for President, Franklin Pierce received a majority of 124 over Scott, and 43 over Scott and Hale. The total vote was 1,239, the largest ever given.

1853 .- Only one State officer was to be elected-attorney-gen- eral. For county officers good men were nominated by both parties, and the question of temperance entered largely into the canvass. Hiram Price, for recorder, the Temperance candidate, had a majority of 448; and the entire Temperance ticket was elected, save sheriff, Harvey Leonard, the Democratic candidate, coming out ahead 121 votes.

1854 .--- New questions now arose growing out of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. The Whig party, unable to recover from its defeat in 1852, had been slowly disintegrating and had almost ceased to exist. The Democratic party was divided on the new issues. For some years a new party had been struggling for an existence, based on ques- tions of nationality, and known as the American or Know-Nothing party. On the 9th of January the Democracy met in convention at the capitol and nominated a full State tieket and adopted a plat- form. The Whigs met at Iowa City, Feb. 22, and made nomina- tions and adopted a platform.

J. W. Sennett, of Davenport, was the Whig candidate for attor- ney-general, and was opposed by D. C. Cloud. Mr. Sennett re- ceived a majority of 190 in this county, though he was defeated in

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

election. James Thorington, also of Davenport, was the Whig nominec for Congress, and in opposition was S. Hempstead, the nominee of the Democracy. Mr. Thorington was elected. A. C. Fulton had a majority of 381 over J. A. Birchard. The entire Whig ticket was elected in the county, that ticket receiving the votes of many of the Anti-Nebraska men.

1855 .- In this county the temperance question was the leading issue, the Republicans, or Anti-Nebraska Whigs, voting the Tem- perance ticket. The Democrats clected county judge, sheriff, and coroner, and the Temperance men the recorder and surveyor.

1856 .-- Former issues dividing the political parties had disappeared, and new issues were being rapidly formed. The Whig party had ceased to exist, and on its ruins had been erected two other parties, one having for its central truth opposition to the further extension of slavery, and the other that American-born citizens must rule America. These parties had, of course, absorbed many of the members of the old Democratic party. The American party, not being opposed to slavery, or, at least, making no opposition to it, either in the States in which it existed or the newly forined Terri- tories, where it had been made subject to admission by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, had become a numerous body in the South, with many adherents in the North. The Republican party, basing its elaims for popular suffrage upon its advocacy of freedom in the Territories, was not permitted an existence in the Southern States, and of necessity was confined to the North.

The first State Convention by the newly organized Republican party was held at Iowa City, Feb. 22, and placed a ticket in the field for State officers, and adopted a platform in accordance with the principles of equal rights and firm opposition to slavery. The Democratic Convention met at the capitol June 26, nominated a ticket, and adopted a platform in accordance with that adopted at the National Convention at Cincinnati. The nominations of James Buelianan and John G. Breckenridge were enthusiastically confirmed.

1857 .- State and county officers were to be elected and both parties were fully represented by State and county tickets. The Republicans in State Convention re-adopted the platform of the previous year, together with appropriate resolutions upon national topies. The Democracy met in convention, and after nominating a State ticket passed resolutions in accordance with their views of national poliey. The Democratic Convention met at Des Moines,

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

June 23, nominated a ticket, and on national questions passed res- olutions supporting the action of the Government and the judicial tribunals, depreeating the agitation of the slavery question, and denouncing British outrages.

1858 .- State officers, with the exception of governor and lieu- tenant-governor, were to be elected. Elijah Sells was nominated by the Republicans for secretary of state, and Samuel Douglas by the Democrats. William Vandever was the Republican nomi- nee for Congress, and opposed to him was William E. Leffingwell. For elerk of the District Court Joseph A. Crandall received the Democratic nomination, and Ira M. Gifford the Republican. The questions growing out of the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and the attempted introduction of slavery in Kansas, and the trouble arising therefrom, were still the issues that divided parties. The Republicans met in Iowa City, June 17, and adopted a plat- form in which were resolutions condemning the extension of the slave States, and bitterly denouncing the Dred Scott decision.

1859 .- The Republican Convention met at Des Moines, June 22, and nominated S. J. Kirkwood, of Iowa City, for governor, and Nicholas J. Rusch, of Scott County, for lieutenant-governor, and adopted a platform substantially the same as in 1858. The Demo- crats met in convention at Des Moines, June 23, and nominated A. C. Dodge, of Des Moines, for governor, and L. W. Babbitt, of Pot- tawattamie, for lieutenant-governor.

Resolutions were passed declaring the right of the Territories to pass such laws on the subject of slavery as they pleased.

The Republicans in this county elected every candidate on their ticket, the majorities ranging from +++ to 957, with the exception of the candidate for sheriff, James Thorington being opposed by Harvey Leonard for that office. Mr. Leonard was always extremely popular before the people, and gave Mr. Thorington a close race, the latter being elected by 93 majority.

1860 .- The campaign of 1860 has never had a parallel in the history of the Government, unless it be that of 1840. The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which it had been hoped would have settled the slavery controversy by referring the question to the people of the Territories, who were more directly interested in the matter, served rather to unsettle it, dividing the Democratic party and more firmly uniting the Republican party. The Republican Convention was called to meet at Chicago, for the purpose of nomi- nating candidates for President and Vice-President. In this con-

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

vention it was plain to see who was the favorite of the lookers-on. Every mention of Lincoln's name was received with cheer after cheer. Three ballots were taken, Mr. Lincoln receiving a majority of the whole votes, and was made the nnanimons choice of the convention amidst the most intense enthusiasm. Hannibal Ham- lin, of Maine, was selected as the candidate for Vice-President.

The Democratic National Convention was called to meet at Charleston, South Carolina. The friends of Stephen A. Douglas were very active in urging his claims to the nomination for the presidency, many of the delegates from the Northern States, being instructed to use all honorable means to that end. The claims of Donglas were stoutly contested by the leaders of the Democracy of the South, and it was evident some time before the convention assembled that it would be difficult to come to an agreement. Meet- ing in the city of Charleston, April 23. the convention remained in session 10 days, at the expiration of which time no nomination was made, many of the delegates from the Southern States with- drawing. The rule of the National Democratic Convention re- quired a two-thirds vote of the entire body for any candidate to secure his nomination. So many delegates withdrawing, after taking 57 ballots it was found impossible for any candidate to secure that number. An adjournment was then had to Balti- more, June 19.

At this latter place the convention assembled pursuant to ad- journment, but even here no agreement could be reached between the factions. After a six days' meeting Stephen A. Douglas was nominated for President and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, of Alabama, for Vice-President. The nomination of Douglas was received with very great enthusiasm. Mr. Fitzpatrick declining, Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, was substituted. Mr. Johnson accepted the nomination.

A portion of the convention seceded, and, holding another con- vention June 23. nominated John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, for President, and Joseph Lane, of Oregon, for Vice-President. A " Union " Convention met, at which John Bell, of Tennessee, was nominated for President, and Edward Everett, of Massachu- setts, for Vice-President.

With four presidential candidates in the field, the exciting ques- tions growing out of the institution of slavery, and the threats of disnnion by a portion of the South, in the event of the election of Lin- coln, tended to make the campaign one of great interest. " Wide-

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

Awake " elubs and organizations of "Hickory Boys, " on the part of Republicans and Douglas Democrats, respectively, tended to increase the excitement. Large and enthusiastic meetings were held by each party in all the leading towns and cities, and even in many of the smaller villages. The names of the " Rail-Splitter" and the "Little Giant" evoked the greatest enthusiasm.

The Republican State Convention met in Iowa City, May 23, nominated a State tieket, and adopted a platform endorsing the action of the National Convention at Chicago, endorsing its nomi- nations, and favoring rigid economy in State matters. The Dem- ocratie Convention met at Des Moines, July 12, nominated a State ticket, and passed resolutions endorsing Douglas and Johnson. The " Union ticket " was strongly condemned.

1861 .-- The war for the Union was now in progress, and issues grow- ing out of that war were forming. The Republicans were first to meet in convention, assembling in Des Moines, July, 31, and nominated a candidate for governor and other State officers, and adopted a plat- form heartily supporting the Government in its assertion of the right to eoeree, denouncing the doctrine of secession, maintaining the supremacy of the Constitution, and declaring in the most forci- ble language that the Rebellion should be put down at any cost. The Democratic State Convention passed resolutions also unequiv- ocally condemning the action of the seeeding States, but deelaring it to be the legitimate result of the successful teaching of the " ir- repressible confliet," and also denying in toto the right of the Government to perpetuate the Union by force of arms. State sov- ereignty was endorsed, and the opposite doctrine declared to be fraught with disastrous consequences.

1862 .-- The Union army had met with several reverses during the year, and a gloomy feeling pervaded the minds of the people, having its effect upon the the canvass for State officers. The Dem - oerats met in convention at Des Moines, and adopted a platform in which they expressed themselves as in favor of using all consti- tutional means for the suppression of the Rebellion and opposed to any scheme of confiscation and emancipation; opposed to a suspen- sion of the writ of habeas corpus; deelaring the superiority of the white over the black race, and opposed to the purchase of the slaves. The Republicans in their platform adopted at Des Moines resolved, that it was the duty of every man to help maintain the Government, condemned the course of secession sympathizers, and asked all favorable to giving the national administration honest support to co-operate with them.

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IIISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

There was a falling off in the vote in this county from 1861. On the State ticket, the Republican candidate received an average majority of $10. The soldiers in the field were permitted to vote this year, a record of which will be found in the returns given else- where in this volume.

1863 .- The Democrats met in convention at Des Moines and nominated a candidate for governor, and other State officers. Questions growing out of the war still afforded issues between par- ties. The writ of habeas corpus had been suspended by the Presi- dent; martial law had been declared in some of the border States not in rebellion, and the proclamation of emancipation had been issued. These measures the Democracy in convention and by res- olution opposed, while the Republican Convention, which convened June 17, favored each. Thus were the issues defined. A full vote was had in the county, the Republicans electing each of their can- didates by an average majority of 1,300.

1864 .- Abraham Lincoln was re-nominated by the Republicans, and associated with him on the ticket was Andrew Johnson, the Union governor of Tennessee. The Democrats put in nomination Gen. George B. Me Clellan for the presidency and George H. Pen- dleton for the vice-presidency. The Republicans of Iowa held a convention at Des Moines July 7, and adopted a platform confirm- ing the re-nomination of Abraham Lincoln, and paying high trib- utes of praise to the loyal soldiers and soldiers' wives whose sacrifices were saving the Union. The Democratic State Conven- tion met at Des Moines, July 16, selected a State ticket, but adopted no platformn. A Peace Convention, however, was held at Iowa City, Aug. 24, which adopted resolutions denouncing the war and its further support, and rejeeting the equality of the negro with the white man.

In Scott County the Republican candidates received a majority of about 1,300 on the home vote, and 1,800 including the soldier vote returned from the front.

1865 .- The Republicans were first in the field, meeting in con- vention at Des Moines, June 14, and nominated a ticket and adopted a platform. The Union Anti-Negro Suffrage Party met at the capital Aug. 23, and nominated a ticket, and adopted a platform in which they resolved to sustain the admistration of An- drew Johnson ; that they were opposed to negro suffrage ; that the soldiers of the late war deserved well of their countrymen, and that

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 36

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280