Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-07-16
ELIJAH SELLS.

The Republican candidate for the ofic
Of Secretary of State, is a native of Ohio
He emigrated in 1888 to Winchester, Nor
gan Co., now in Scott, Co., Illinois. II
1S4l he removed to Davenport, Iowa, wher'
he engaged in the manufacture of stone
ware, from which place he removed to Fair
port, Muscatine Co., where he followed thu
same occupation, and thence in 1868 to
Muscatine.
He was member of the first constitution
al Convention in 1874, and then advocated
the adoption of 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 currency which has since cursed it
He was member of the first State Legis-
lature, and was Chairman of several Of the
most important committees. Hey was also a
member Of the extra session Of the General
Assembly of 1917, and in that body advo-
Gated the diversion of the land donated to
the Territory of Iowa, and known as the
"Desmoines River Grant" to the construc-
tion of q Railroad up the Desmoines valley.
Mr. Sells was again member of the
Legislature in 1852, and was there presented
by his party as speaker. During that ses-
sion he advocated most ably and efficiently
the passage of the memorials asking grants
of lands for the construction of the four
great railroads of Iowa, running from the
Missouri to the Mississippi.
To his services, with those of other dis
tinguished men, Iowa owes, in great meas
ure, the increased emigration and travel
which has flowed into it during the last six
years. In 1854 the nomination for SEN
ator was profered to him and declined, as
was also the nomination for Secretary Of
State. In 1856 the first Republican Conven-
tion of Iowa, also offered him the nomina-
ton for Secretary of State. Believing that
in the principles Of that party lay the only
safety of the country against the sxtrava
gance, the corruption and the utter prsfiga.
cy of the dominant party, fearlessly cast in
his fortunes with those of that growing par
ty, though inevitable defeat seemed all tina,
could be expected for its nominees, in view
of the long reign Of the Democratic party,
its hold upon public Offices, and its pos
session of the whole Federal power. But
contrary to human probability, the banners
of the young Republican party were victo-
rious, and Mr.. Sells was elevated by the
voice of the people to the post which he now
holds.
Not even the blistered tongue Of malice
and party rancor can whisper word against
the private or public character of Mr.. Sells.
So impartially and faithfully has he dis
charged the arduous duties of his Office, that
the same universal popularity which sur
rounded him in his own county in former
days, now extends to the whole State. He
was the enthusiastic choice of four-6ths of
the Republicans of the State for reelection
to the Office of Secretary, and doubtless will
be elected by an overwhelming majority.
ELIJAH SELLS is self-made man, a me
chanic and practical man in everything
1t is his lot to belong to that class of men,
so large in number here in the N erth whom
the aristocratic Democratic Senators have
reproached and stigmatized as laborers and
mud -sills. He is emphatically a man Of
the neonle and as Such symnathisas with
all the interests and wants of the people.