The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-06-14
The Congressional Convention.


The Republicans of this Congressional
District will be called upon on the Goth inst,
next Wednesday, to select candidate to be
supported by our party at the ensuing elec-
ton. and the difficulty will be, from present
indications, not a want Of able and popular
men from whom to make selection, but to
decide who among quite number of availa-
BILE and competent citizens, should be nomi-
mated. We see in this connection, the sug-
gestion of the names of Hon. w. H. Sewers,
ofMahaska, Hon. J. F. Wilson, of jefferson,
| Hon. Geo. G. Wright of Van Buren,, Col.
Sanders of Henry, Hon. W. r. Davis of Polk,
and Hon. s. r. Curtis, the present sitting
member. These are all good men, and the
Republican party would honor itself by Sc
Letting any one of the number as its standard
bearer, and the interests of the District and
the country, would he entirely safe in their
hands. But it isquite certain that the nu-
mcrous and ardent friends Of these several
eminent gentlemen connot all he gratfied on
this occasion. We are truly reioiced that
our party can boast the possession Of so
many men of ability, so highly esteemed and
so popular in their several localities, and we
wish all of them could have seat in Con-
gress, not doubling but they weuld honor it.
While it is true that the convention will be
the proper place to decide this important oues-
ton. and while we believe that it will be de-
cided well and wisely, we may be permitted
as Journalists, to say that our Judgment in
clines us to the opinion that the interests Of
the District and the general interests of the
country, will be best subserved by return
ing Col. Curtis to Congress another term
Our reasons are briefly these COL Curtis
as all will admit, has made very efficient
and popular member. No one can say aught
against his capacity or devotion to the inter
ests ofhis constituents His efforts in behalf
of the Pacific Railroad upon a central route.
especially commend him to. the gratitude and
continued confidence of the voters Of this
District. His position as Chairman of the
Select Committee, to whom this matter is
conided. was not only a complement to this
District but to Col. Curtis himself. whose
competency for the position the appointment
comedies We deem it important to con.
tinue Col. Curtis in that position until that
great question is decided in accordance with
the report of the majority of the committee,
which can hardly be before new Congress-
No new member, however able, could do as
much as Col. Curtis in support of this mas
IRE. Itwould take new member too long
to get the hang eff the House, to saw nothing
of the facts and arguments bearing on the
question.
Besides this, Col Curtis is popular at
Washington. His urbanitv and gentlemanlv
bearing has commanded the esteem of ALL
This is the testimony of all who have visited
Washington during session of Congress.
as good many from this District have re-
Gently DONE
The objection that Col. Curtis has been
two terms already, and ought now to Give
place to some one else, would have force
under some circumstances, but it is like all
general rules subject TO exceptions In this
case instead ofbeing an objection, we think
it a recommendation. We can't afford to
loose the craftsmanship of the Pacific Railroad
committee, as we might do, if Col. Curtis
leaves Congress, and we think the question
in this case should be, will the experience
and familiarity with questions to be acted
upon, enable the sitting member to do more
for the public, than new and inexperienced
member ?-not has he or any body else a
right to the place. Before another election,
we will have new apportionment, when
there will be a chance for quite number of
our available men. As most of them will
have to wait until that time any how, we hope
Trey will all unite in the nomination of Col.
Curtis by reclamation.