The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-07-29
ITO be Coastinaea. i
Elijah Sells.

. ~ u ~ " Z V Ell
The Republican candidate for the Office of
Secretary of State, is native Of Ohio. He en-
igrated in 1896 to Winchester, Morgan Co.,
now in Scott county. Illinois. in 1871 he re-
moved to Davenport, Iow,, where he engaged
in the manufacture of stoneware, from which
place he removed to Fairport, Muscatiae Co.,
where he followed the same occupation, aud
thence N 1853 to Muscatine.
He was a member Of the first constitutional
Convention in 1914, and then advocated the
adoption of a banking system, similar TO the
one now adopted. Unfortunately, his counsels
were rejected. and the State was left exposed
to the inroads of that worthless wildcat cur
rency which has since cursed it,
He was member Of the first State Legisla-
ture. and was Chairman OF several Of the most
important committees. He was also mem-
Der OF the extra session Of the Genera. Asse,n
bly, Of 1si7, and in that body advocated the
diversion Of the land donated to the Territory
Of Iowa and known as the "Des Moihes River
Grant," to the construction of a Railroad up
the Des Moines valley. ass1 80 81 haase
WI. ccstS WdS dSdi tHeuUef OF 'ne LeytS-
ia.ure in 1852, aud was there presented by his
party as speaker. Daring that session he ad-
vncased most ably and efficiently the passage
of the memorials asking grants Of lands for the
construction Of the fonr great railroads Of Iowa
running from the Missouri to the Mississippi.
To his services, with those OF other distin.
giiished men, Iowa owes. in great measure,
the Increased emigration and travel which has
flowed into 1t during the last six years In
1854 the nomination for Senator was prof1ered
to him and declined, as was also the nomina-
ton for Secretary Of. State. In 1886 the first
Republican Convention Of Iowa, also offered
him the nomination for Secretary Of Slate
Believing that in the, principles Of that party
lay the only safety Of the country against the
sxtravagance, the corruption and utter proAi-
gacy OF the, dominant party, fearlessly Cast in
his fortunes with those Of the growing party.
though inevitable defeat seemed all that could
be expected Tor Its nominees, in view OF the
long reign Of the Democratic party, its hold
upon public Offices, and its possession of the
whole Federal power. But contrary to hu-
man probability, the banners Of the young Re 2
publican party wero victorious, and Mr.. SENS
was elevated by the voice Of the people to the
post which he owSholds.
Not eventhe bistersd tongue At mslics ahd
party raacor can whisper word. against ths
private or pubic character of Mr.. Sells 'ifsqs
So innartially and ifShhfully has he dis
charged the ardlous d,s<iss Of his ofiee fh.t
ths .sme .n;ver.., i. !, h..h ,r..,,,,a
"A h,v, In nj. ow,, .,,,,.,, a. -
$500. Ia : :. - - '~s .'uS.y S.s. " ' o.s.' nov
.hm.: -. - "s's - - -. ~
cans of the State Cor re election to the oiiice
Of Secretary, and doubtless will be elected by
an overwhelming majority. ss
Elijah Sells Is 4 self-made man, mechanic
and practical man in everything. 1t is his
lot to belong to that class Of men, 90 large in
number @ here 'r IN the north whom the aristocrat-
lie Democratic Senators have renr0ached and