Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1886 — SUMMER POLITICS. [ARTICLE]

SUMMER POLITICS.

Several State Conventions Nominate Candidates and Adopt Platforms. Democrats and Greenbackers Fuse in lowa—Pennsylvania Republican Convention, row a llrmocratii. The lowa Democratic State Convention, at Des Moines; was temporarily organized, with A* B. McCoy, of Clinton, Chairman, and W. Oz, Miller, of Buena Vista, 'Secretary. The convention was in session two days. Nothing was done the first day beyond the appointment of the customary committees. Upon coming together on the second day a permanent organization was speedily effected by the election of the following officers: G. W. Bell, of Hamilton County, President; C. W. Miller, of Bremer; John F. Franly, of Pottowattamle; W. B. Hollingsworth, of Keokuk; J. S. Boot, of Floyd ; and M. J. Keeley, of lowa County, Secretaries; Tim O. Walker, Of Marshall, Beading Secretary.

The Committee on Resolutions made a report, the substance of which is as follows: “The Democracy of lowa announce the following platform of principles: That the clean, pure, and honest administration of Grover Cleveland is a matter of just pride for every American citizen without distinction of party, and we most cordially and heartily approve and applaud the noble, determined, and successful efforts of the President in the interests of good government, and we pledge him our continued support in all such efforts. That the noble and manly efforts of Gladstone in behalf of representative government for Ireland c< mmands our unqualified approval. That we most heartily express our appreciation of the services of all Union soldiers and sailors, and recommend the fullest recognition of their services in defense of our country by ample and liberal pension laws making allowances to all who received injuries or disabilities in the service, and to those dependent upon them. To that end we condemn private bills and special legislation, which' favor a few to the detriment of the many. ♦ * * To impose taxes for any other purposes than the raising of the necessary revenue for the support of the Government is unconstitutional and wholly inconsistent with our boasted freedom. We therefore call upon Congress for the immediate revision of the tariff laws to a revenue basis, to the end that every industry and every section may enjoy perfect equality under the law. That we favor the repeal of the present prohibitory law of this State, and the enactment in lieu thereof of a law securing to each county and municipal corporation the right to determine for itself the prohibition or licensing of the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, providing by proper legislation for the enforcement of prohibition where prohibition is adopted, and where license is adopted for a license fee of not less than SSOO. with Buch legislative restrictions as will promote sobriety and suppress free whisky. We cordially invite all persons believing in the foregoing principles to unite in overthrowing the party in power in this State." A minority report was offered for a local-option law confined to cities and towns, without limit as to license.

The platform, down to the liquor plank, was adopted, when a lively discussion ensued, concluding with the adoption of the majority report, which declares in favor of local option in counties and cities, and where a license is voted for it shall be not less than SSOO. The convention then proceeded to select candidates for State offices. Cato Sells, of Blackhawk County, was nominated by acclamation for Secretary of State, and Paul Guelich, of Burlington, was named for Auditor. Word being received from the Greenback State Convention, sitting in Lewis’ Opera House, that they Bid nominated Daniel Campbell, of Monona County, for Treasurer, and William Theophilus for Clerk of the Supreme Court, the Democratic Convention completed its work by nominating for Attorney General C. H. Mackey, of Keokuk County, and Frank Bradley, of Audubon County, for Supreme Court Reporter, and then' adjourned.

lowa Greenbackers. The lowa Greenback Convention was called to order in Lewis’ Opera House, Des Moines, by H. 8. Wilcox, Chairman of the State Committee. The body was organized without any hitch by the election of the following officers: Chairman, W. H. Robb: Vice Presidents, A. J. Hanna, W. J. Pass, A. 8. Busserman, W. J. Strickland, W. H. Weller, B. E. Mann, D. Ramsey, E. H. Gillette, J. E. Dicks, L. B. Gunning, Dr. Armstrong, Nat F. Robe; Reading Secretary, E. Vincent: Assistant Secretaries, H. U. Worster, 8. Kirkpatrick. In the absence of Chairman Robb, Vice President Weller presided. The Committee on Conference then reported. They had had some difficulty in dividing up the ticket, especially in the matter of the Auditorship. The ticket was fixed satisfactorily, the Democrats to nominate four, one of whom should be a Knight of Labor, and the Greenbackers two, the latter being the State Treasurer and Clerk of the Supreme Court. And having thus arranged for fusion the committee awaited the decision of the convention. The question was then put to vote, and the report almost unanimously adopted. Daniel Campbell was nominated for State 'Treasurer, and William Theophilus for Clerk of the Supreme Court Pennsylvania Republicans. The Republican State Convention, at Harrisburg, was one of the largest ever held in the State. Gen. Wagner, of Philadelphia, presided. A resolution favoring the submission to the people of a constitutional provision prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicants gave rise to much debate, and it was finally referred to the Committee on the Platform. Col. D. H. Hastings nominated James A. Beaver for Governor in an eloquent and eulogistic speech, and the nomination was carried by acclamation. The ticket was then completed as follows: For Lieutenant Governor, William T. Davies; Auditor General, A. Wilson Norris; Secretarv of Internal Affafrs, T. J. Stewart; Congressman-at-Large, Gen. F. A. Osborne. The platform adopted by the convention favors the repeal of the pension-limitation law; approves the Cullom interstate commerce bill; demands legislation to prohibit the importation of foreign contract labor; opposes convict labor; declares fii favor of laws to prevent the adulteration andj Jbunterfetting of dairy and farm products; denounces the Morrison bill and advocates “a tariff for protection only," andrequests the enactment of national and State laws to facilitate the settlement of labor troubles by arbitration, and the fostering of the shipping industry.

New Hampshire Democrats. Col. Frank G. Noyes, of Nashua, wielded the gavel in the New Hampshire Democratic Convention at "Concord. Five hundred and thirtyseven delegates were present. Thomas Cogswell was nominated for Governor on the first ballot. A resolution expressing sympathy with Mr. Gladstone in his home-rule struggle was unanimously adopted. A resolution was also adopted indorsing the efforts of President Cleveland and Congressman Morrison and Carlisle and their Democratic colleagues to revise the existing tariff laws. The platform pledges support to Mr. Cleveland's administration, and congratulates him upon its success; declares devotion to the doctrines set forth in the last Democratic national platform; that Federal taxation shall be exclusively for public purnoses, and shall not exceed the needs of the Government economically administered, and a readjustment of the tariff is asked for on that basis; demands that the rights of labor be fostered, and all laws prejudicial to labor be repealed: favors the principle of arbitration in the settlement of differences between labor and capital; demands a ten-hour law, and weekly payments in all manufacturing establishments ; denounces lawlessness and anarchy, and the importation of cheap servile labor; charges the Republican party of New Hampshire with hypocrisy in dealing with the liquor question; declares in favor of a judicious license law; recognizes the patriotism of • the soldiers and sailors of the war for the Union, and pledges efforts to secure them a deserved reward. -