USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 26
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The vote was light, and on Governor was as follows:
C. C. Carpenter, Rep .. .105,132-24,112
J. G. Vale, Anti-M. .. .81,020
An Anti-Monopoly convention was held at DesMoines, June 23, 1874, which nom- inated the following ticket and adopted the following platform: Secretary, David Morgan; Auditor, J. M. King; Treasurer, J. W. Basner; Attorney-General, J. H. Keatley; Clerk of Supreme Court, Geo. W. Ball; Reporter of Supreme Court, J. M. Weart. The following is the platform:
Resolved, That we, the delegated representa- tives of the people of Iowa, favorable to the organization of an independent political party, laying aside past differences of opinion, and earnestly uniting in a common purpose to secure needful reforms in the administration of public affairs, cordially unite in submitting these decla- rations:
1. That all political power is inherent in the people; that no government is worthy of pre- servation or should be upheld which does not derive its power from the consent of the gov- erned, by equal and just laws; that the inesti- mable right of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should be secured to all men, without distinction of racc, color or nativity; that the maintenance of these principles is essential to the prosperity of our republican institutions,
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and that to this end the federal constitution, with all its amendments, the rights of the States, and the union of the States must and shall be preserved.
2. That the maintenance inviolate of the rights of the States, and especially of the right of each State to order and control its own domestic institutions according to its judg- ment exclusively, is essential to that bal- ance of power ou which the perfection and endurance of our political fabrie depends; and that we denounce as a criminal excess of constitutional power the policy of President Grant's administration in fostering the enormi- ties perpetrated in certain States of the Union in arbitrarily interfering with their local affairs, in sustaining therein the usurpations of aliens and irresponsible adventurers, whereby certain men have been illegally invested with official authority, and others deprived of their constitu- tional rights, oppressive laws enacted, burden- some taxation imposed, and immense and ficti- tious indebtedness created, resulting in the degradation of those States, and the general im poverishment of their people.
3. That the conduct of the present adminis- tration, in its bold defiance of public sentiment and disregard of the common good, in its prodi- gality and wasteful extravagance, in the innum- erable frauds perpetrated under its authority, in its disgraceful partiality for and rewards of un- worthy favorites, in its reckless and unstable financial policy, and in its total incapacity to meet the vital questions of the day, and provide for the general welfare, stands without a paral- lel in our national history, and the highest con- siderations of duty require the American people, in the exercise of their inherent sover- eignty, to correct these accumulating evils, and bring the government back to its ancient land- marks, patiotism and economy.
4. That the faith and credit of the nation must be maintained inviolate; that the public debt, of whatever kind, should be paid in strict accordance with the law under which it was contracted; that an over issue of paper money being at variance with the principles of a sound financial policy, the circulating medium should
be based upon its redemption in specie at the earliest practicable day, and its convertibility into a specie equivalent at the will of the holder, and that, subject to these restrictions, it is the duty of Congress to so provide, by appropriate legislation, that the volume of our government currency shall at all times be adequate to the general business and commerce of the country, and equitably distributed among the several States.
5. That tariffs and all other modes of taxa- tion should be imposed upon the basis of rev- enue alone, and be so adjusted as to yield the minimum amount required for the legitimate expenditure of the government, faithfully and economically administered, and that taxation to an extent necessary to the accumulation of a surplus revenue in the treasury, subjects the people to needless burdens and affords a temp- tation to extravagance and official corruption.
6 That railroads and all other corporations for pecuniary profit should be rendered subser- vient to the public good; that we demand such constitutional and necessary legislation upon this subject, both State and national, as will effectually secure the industrial and producing interests of the country against all forms of corporate monopoly and extortion, and that the existing railroad legislation of this State should faithfully be enforced, until experience may have demonstrated the propriety and justice of its modification.
7. That while demanding that railroads be subject to legislative control, we shall discoun- tenance any action on this subject calculated to retard the progress of railroad enterprise, or work injustice to those invaluable auxiliaries to commerce and civilization.
8. That the limitation of the Presidency to one term, and the election of President, Vice President and United States Senators by a direct popular vote, and a thorough reform of our civil service to the end that capacity and fidelity be made the essential qualifications for election aud appointment to office, are proposed reforms which meet our hearty endorsement.
9. That we demand such a modification of the patent laws of the United States as shall
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destroy the monopoly now enjoyed by the man- ufacture of agricultural and other implements of industry .
10. That the personal liberty and social rights of the citizens should not be abridged or con- trolled by legislative enactment, except in so far as may be necessary to promote the peace and welfare of society.
11. That holding in grateful remembrance the soldiers and sailors who fought our battles, and by whose heroism the nation was preserved, we insist that Congress shall equalize the boun- ties and grant to each one of them, or to his widow and children, a homestead of one hun- dred and sixty acres of land from the unappro- priated domain of the country.
12. That we desire hereafter to be known as the Independent party of Iowa, and recognizing the individual conscience of the voter as para- mount to the claims of the . party, ask the co- operation of those only to whom this declaration of principles and the candidates nominated by this convention may commend themselves worthy.
The Republican convention, which con- vened July 1st, at Des Moines, put in nom- ination for Secretary of State, Josiah T. Young; Treasurer of State, Wm. Christy; Auditor of State, Buren R Sherman; Reg- ister of State Land Office, David Secor; Attorney-General, M. C. Cutts; Judge of Supreme Court, E. J. Holmes; Reporter of Supreme Court, John S. Runnells. The following is the Republican platform:
We, the representatives of the Republican party of the State of Iowa, in convention assem- bled, do adopt the following platform of princi- ples:
Resolved, That as the policy of the Republi- can party in relation to finance, has afforded the people not only a safe, sound and popular cur- rency, of equal and uniform worth in every portion of our common country, but has like- wise greatly improved the credit of the country at bome and abroad, we point with pride to its record and accomplishments in this regard. And
while re-affirming the policy announced by the party in the national conventions of 1868 and 1872, and triumphantly endorsed by the people at the polls-a policy which, while contributing to the public credit has also enhanced the indi- vidual and collective prosperity of the American people-we favor such legislation as shall make national banking free to all, under just and equal laws, based upon the policy of specie re- sumption at such time as is consistent with the material and industrial interests of the country, to the end that the volume of currency may be regulated by the national laws of trade.
2. That we re-affirm the declaration of the Republican national platform of 1872, in favor of the payment by the government of the United States of all its obligations in accordance with both the letter and the spirit of the laws under which such obligations were issued, and we de. clare that in the absence of any express provis- ion to the contrary, the obligations of the gov- ernment when issued and placed upon the mar- keis of the world, are payable in the world's currency, to-wit, specie.
3. That under the constitution of the United States, Congress bas power to regulate all "com- merce among the several States," whether carried on by railroads or other means, and in the exer- cise of that power Congress may, and should, so legislate as to prohibit, under suitable ; enalties, extortion, unjust discrimination, and other wrong and unjust conduct on the part of per- sons or corporations engaged in such commerce; and, by virtue of the same constitutional power, Congress may and should provide for the im- provement of our great natural water-ways.
4. That the State has the power, and it is its duty, to provide by law for the regulation and control of railway transportation within its own limits, and we demand that the law of this State passed for this purpose at the last session of the General Assembly shall be upheld and enforced until it shall be superseded by other legislation, or held unconstitutional by the proper judicial tribunal.
5. That we feel bouud to provide all appro- priate legislation for the full and equal protec-
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tion of all citizens, white or black, native or foreign born, in the enjoyment of all the rights guaranteed by the constitution of the United States and the amendments thereto.
6. That the $27,000,000 reduction in the estimated general government expenses for the coming fiscal year meets our hearty commenda- tion, and shows that the Republican party on questions of retrenchment and economy is carry- ing out in good faith its oft repeated pledges to the people.
7. That we are in favor of an amendment to the constitution of the United States, providing for the election of President and Vice- President by a direct vote of the people.
8. That while inventors should be protected in their just rights of property in their inven- tions, we demand such modifications of our patent laws as shall render the same more fair and equitable to consumers.
9. That the faith of the Republican party is pledged to promote the best good of the civil service of the country, and that we, as Republi- cans of Iowa, demand that only honest and capable men be elected or appointed to office, and that we commend the position of the party in instituting investigations of corruption in office, sparing therein neither friends nor foes.
10. That since the people may be intrusted with all questions of govermental reform, we favor the final submission to the people of the question of amending the constitution so as to extend the rights of suffrage to women, pursuant to action of 15th General Assembly.
On Secretary of State the vote stood:
J. T. Young, Rep. .107,243-28,183 David Morgan, Dem. 79,060
For the campaign of 1875 the Democrats, Liberal Republicans and Anti-Monopolists met at Des Moines, June 24th, and nom- inated a State ticket headed by Shepherd Lefler for Governor; Lieutenant Governor, E. B. Woodward; Judge of Supreme Court, W. J. Knight; Supt. of Public Instruction,
Isaiah Donane. The following platforn was then adopted:
The Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and Anti Monopolists of the State of Iowa, in delegate convention assembled, declare, as a basis of per- manent organization and united action, the- following principles:
1. A firm adherence to the doctrine of politi- eal government, as taught by Jefferson, Madison, and other fathers of the republic.
2. A strict adherence to the constitution in all measures involving constitutional power.
3. The supremacy of the Republican govern- ment within the sphere and reservation of the local authority of the constitution as opposed to the concentration of all powers in a strong een- tralized government.
4. Absolute prohibition of military interfer- ence with the local State elections, and the peaceful assembling and organization of the State Legislatures, except in the manner clearly defined in the Constitution.
5. llonesty in the administration of the public officers, and strict economy in the public expenditures.
6. All officers to be held to a strict accounta- bility for the misuse of the public funds or for the prostitution of their powers for private use.
7. The preservation of all the rights of every citizen, without regard to race or color.
8. The reservation of the public lands tor the benefit of actual settlers, and opposition to any further grants to corporate monopolies for any purpose.
9. The restoration of the Presidential salary to $25,000. No third term.
10. That we are n favor of the resumption of specie payment as soon as the same can be done without injury to the business interests of the country, and maintain a sufficient supply of national currency for business purposes; opposi- tion to present national banking law.
11. A tariff on imports that will produce the largest amount of revenue, with the smallest amount of tax, and no imposition of duties for
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the benefit of manufactures at the expense of agricultural interests
12. We are in favor of the repeal of the present prohibitory liquor law, and the enactment of a practical license law, strictly enforced, as the best guard against, and the safest solution of, the evils of intemperance,
13. That weare opposed to all legislation that restricts any citizen in his individual or social rights and privileges.
With this declaration of principle and policy, in the language of our brethren of Ohio, we arraign the leaders of the Republican party for their extravagant expenditure and profligate waste of the people's money, for their oppressive, unjust, and defective system of finance and taxa- tion; for their continued tyranny and cruelty to the Southern States of the Union, and their squandering of public lands, their continuance of incompetent and corrupt men in the offices at home and abroad, and for their general mismanagement of the government, and we cor- dially invite all men, without regard to past party association, to co-operate with us in removing them from power, and in securing such an administration of public affairs as char- acterized the purer and better days of the „republic.
The Republican convention at Des- Moines placed in nomination for Governor, S. J. Kirkwood ; Lieutenant-Governor, Joshua G. Newbold; Judge of Supreme Court, Austin Adams ; Superintendent Public Instruction, Alonzo Abernethy. The convention also adopted the follow- ing platform:
Resolved, That we declare it a cardinal prin- ciple of the Republican faith that the republic is a nation, one and indissoluble, within which the constitutional rights of the States and of the people to local self-government must be faith- fully maintained.
2. That we favor the early attainment of cur- rency convertible with coin, and therefore advocate the gradual resumption of specie pay- ments by continuous and steady steps.
3. That we favor a tariff for revenue, so adjusted as to encourage home industry.
4. That the earnest efforts of the government to collect the revenue, prevent and punish frauds, have our unqualified approval.
5. We are opposed to further grants of land to railroads or other corporations, but we de- mand a reservation of public domain for settle- ment under the homestead laws, and for other bona fide settlers.
6. We demand such a revision of the patent laws as will relieve industry from the oppression of monopolies in their administration.
7. That we cordially approve the policy of the present administration in the settlement of difficulties between ourselves and other nations, by arbitration, instead of appealing to arms.
8. The Republican party of Iowa is opposed to a third term.
9. We demand that all railway and other cor- porations shall be held in fair and just subjection to the law-making power.
10. We stand by free education, our public school system, taxation of all for its support, and no division of the school fund.
11. That our national and State administra- tion of public affairs have our hearty support.
12. We cordially invite all who are opposed to the restoration of the Democratic party to power, to forget all past political differences, and unite with the Republican party in maintaining the cause of true reform.
13. The persistent and tyrannical efforts of the enemies of the Union, by murder and intim- idation of the enfranchised citizens, and the ostracisms and proscriptions of the white Repub- licans of the South, for the purpose of rendering null and void this amendment, merits the con- demnation of every honest man.
14. That we heartily endorse the action of President Grant in enforcing the laws when called upon to do so by the proper authorities of the State.
The Prohibitionists of the State met and nominated for Governor, Rev. John H.
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Lozier, and adopted the following plat- form :
WHEREAS, The traffic in and use of intoxi- cating liquors as a beverage, is the greatest evil of the present age; and,
WHEREAS, The legal prohibition of said traffic and use of liquors is the prime duty of those who frame and execute laws for the public wel- fare; and,
WHEREAS, The existing political parties, in their State platforms, have either ignored or re- pudiated the foregoing principles, the one de- claring for license, the other refusing to pass & resolution opposed to the repeal of the existing prohibitory law of our State; therefore,
Resolved, That the temperance people of Iowa are, by this action of these political parties, forced to seek the promotion of their objects by such organizations and combinations as may prove most effective for the success of the tem- perance cause, without reference to previous political affiliation.
2. That we most cordially approve the policy of the present administration in the settlement of difficulties between ourselves and other na- tions, by arbitration, instead of appealing to arms; and also the efforts now being made to codify the international laws so that a World's Peace Congress may be established before which all international difficulties may be adjusted, and thus "nations learn war no more."
3. That the desecration of the Christian Sab- bath by public amusement, such as target shoot,. ing, dancing, theatrical performance, and kin- dred practices, together with ordinary business traffic, except by persons conscientiously ob- serving the seventh day of the week as a Sab- bath day, augurs evil to the public morals, and that the laws of our State, touching Sabbath desecrations, should be rigidly enforced.
4. That we are in favor of maintaining our free school system at the expense of the whole people, and without the division of our school fund with any sectarian organization whatever, and. in favor of such legislation as will secure the education of all children within our State in
the elementary branches of common school edu- cation.
5. That the doctrine of professed political parties ought to be, is, and shall continue to be, powerless to control men bound by their convic- tions to the mountain of great moral principles, and we call upon all concerned in the promotion of public morals to promptly and earnestly re- buke the policy now inaugurated by such pro- fessed leaders, and to seek its overthrow.
6. That we earnestly recommend that the temperance people of the several counties promptly form county organizations, looking to the election of such Representatives iu our Leg- islature, and such officers as will enact and en- force laws for the promotion of the foregoing principles, leaving the question of calling a con- vention for the nomination of State officers and of further organizing to an executive committee to be elected by this convention.
The vote on Governor was officially an- nounced as follows :
S. J. Kirkwood, Rep. 124,855-31,576 S. Leffer, Dem. 93,279
J. H. Lozier, Pro. 1,397
The financial depression during the sec- ond administration of Grant was such as to influence the formation of a new party, known as the Greenback party, or, as it was styled in national convention, the Na- tional Greenback Labor party. Peter Cooper was the candidate of this party for the Presidency, while the Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, and the Democrats Samuel J. Tilden. The Green- back men of Iowa held a convention May 10th, at DesMoines, and adopted the fol- lowing resolutions :
WHEREAS, Labor is the basis of all our wealth, and capital cannot be accumulated except as the product of industry, or human life, given out in the daily labor of the toiling millions; and,
WHEREAS, Money is, in essence, only a certi- ficate of service rendered, and hence the solution
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of the financial question lies at the bottom of all true government, and ia the paramount issue of the present campaign, in which the Democratic and Republican leaders have failed to take the side of the people; therefore, we, the citizens of Iowa, in mass convention assembled, do thus organize the Independent party of Iowa, and declare our faith in the following principles:
1. That it is the duty of the government to establish a monetary system, based upon the faith and resources of the nation, in harmony with the genius of this government, and adapted to the demands of legitimate business.
2. That we demand the immediate repeal of the specie resumption act of January 14, 1875, and that the circulating notes of our national and State banks, as well as the local currency, be withdrawn from circulation, and their place supplied by a uniform national currency, issued direct from the government, the same to be made a legal tender for all public and private debts, duties on imports not excepted, and inter- changeable at the option of the holder for bouds bearing a rate of interest not to exceed 3.65 per cent. per annum.
3. We demand that the present bonded debt of the country be refunded as speedily as pos- sible into registered interchangeable bonds that shall bear interest at & low rate, not exceeding 3 65 per cent. per annum.
4 We are in favor of the repcal of the act of March 18, 1869, making greenbacks payable in coin, and making 5-20 bonds perpetual or pay- able only in coin and thns nnjustly discrimin- ating in favor of the money interest.
A Greenback State ticket was nominated at a convention held September 20th, and these additional resolutions were adopted:
1. We are in favor of the adoption of the platform of the Indianapolis National Conven- tion.
2. We recognize the rights of capital and its just protection; we condemn all special legisla- tion in its favor.
3. We demand a reduction of official salaries, proportionate to the reduction of the profits on labor.
4. We demand a remonetization of silver.
5. We demand the equality of the soldiers' bounties
6. We approve and endorse the nomination of Peter Cooper for President, and Samuel F. Cary for Vice President of the United States.
The following is the ticket nominated: Secretary of State, A. Macready; Auditor of State, Leonard Brown; Treasurer of State, Geo. C. Fry; Register State Land Office, Geo. M. Walker; Superintendent Pub. Instruction, Rev. J A. Nash; Supreme Judges, Charles Negus, Oliver R. Jones.
The Republicans placed in nomination the following, at a convention held in Des Moines: Secretary of State, Josiah T. Young; Auditor, Buren R. Sherman, Treasurer, Geo. W. Bemis; Register of Land Office, David Secor; Supreme Judges, W. H. Seevers, J. H. Rothrock; Attorney- General, J. F. McJunkin; Superintendent Public Instruction, C. W. VonCoelln. At the same time they adopted as a platform the following:
1. We are for maintaining the unity of the nation sacred and inviolable; for the just and equal rights of all men; for peace, harmony and brotherhood throughout the nation; for men of unsullied honesty, and purity of character and public trust, and for the swift pursuit and un- aparing punishment of all dishonest officials, high or low.
2. That we are in faver of, and we demand, a rigid economy in the administration of the government, both State and national.
3. That we favor a currency convertible with coin, and therefore advocate the gradual resump- tion of specie payment hy continuous and speedy ateps in that direction.
4. That we demand that all railway and other corporations shall be held in fair and just aub- jection to the law making power.
5. That we stand by free education, our school system, taxation of all for its support,
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