The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-09-06
THE CONVENTION ON THURSDAY.

Tbs anti.monopolist convention on Thurs
day was we'll attended, and composed OF az
fine u body of men as we ever saw assembled
on a similar occasion. That they were in
earnest was evinced by their being present
and by their bearing during the proceedings
and that they were not politicians, met to car
~ out cutand-dred programme, was shown
by the Impractical manner in which they did
their work. But, though they moved slowly
and cautiously, and at times awkwardly
when done, their work was well done, and
the ticket they presented is one they can boast
Of and stand up TO.
Adopting the foundation idea Of the great
civil service reform now being attempted, by
the best minds Of the nation, to be introduced
in all parts of the public service, the conven-
ton showed no disposition to remove public
officers who have been found, on trial, to be
admirably fitted for Their positions, and true
and faithful in the discharge OF their duties
Taking this view, the nomination Of G. II.
Gilman for reelection as County Judge, was
IN cminently proper one to be made. The
county has never had judge VITO has per
formed his duties with more marked ability
and rigid fidelity.
The same can be SAID cmphaticaliy of Mr..
Mead as County Clerk, Mr.. Raymond, as
Treasurer, and Mr.. Williams, as School Su'
perintendcnt. The fact of this entire re-nom-
nation Of the old incumbents, shows conclu-
sivcly that the convention was not composed
Of a set Of office-seekcrs, blu; of sensible men
who, finding the present officers all the best
interests Of the people needed were content
10 let well enough alone.
That all would have been satisfied with this |
or any other ticket that could have been pre-. |
sented was not to be expected. But the anti.
m0nopolists must bear in mind that they have
something at stake that is of more Importance
Than the mere mcr they propose to vote for
The dignity and importance Of the anti.
monopolist movement in the West will be
measured by the entire country by the vote
that Is cast for this and other tickets that have
been nominated throughout the West by the
CT new party.
The farmers are mad who imagine their
cause Will not suffer irrc,ricvable ruin BY
their neglect TO show their strength by their
votes this fall.
Let the republican party this fall elect its
candidates by the usual majorlties in the
West, and the anti-monopolist movement will
be regarded in the middle eastern and south. |,
crn states as having broken down, and become
too insignificant an unimportan, to deserve ,
another thought.
What was il but the defeat Of Judge Law. |
renee last June that so suddenly opened the
eyes of the east, and so greatly magnifed in
their estimation, the Importance of the anti
monopoly movement in the Wcste Many of
ihe best friends OF the cause opposed the
movement in favor Of Judge Craig AS un wise
but divided as were the farmers in portions of
he district on the subject, the success of that
movement gave the cause an impetus forward
that thousand meetings and sonorous reso-
lutions would not have given it,
SO now again the ant;-monopolists must
give the movement strength and dignity by
their votes. If they fail to do SO, it will die
IN year, as it did seven years ago, and all
The work of the past year will have been Lost,
TO be done over few years hence, when the
yoke OF the oppressor again becomes too heavy
70 bear