Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-10-10
Letter from Iowa.
POLITICS AND GOSSIP.

POLITICS AND GOSSIP.
DEs MONIES, Iowa, Sept. 24, 1879.
To the Editor OF the Free Press and Times:
Iowa, like Vermont, is Republican strong
hold, yet the political strife is much warmer
here than in Vermont. This perhaps in part
is due TO the greater spirit of rivalry and
competition characteristic of the West and
also to there being three parties. The Green
hackers obtained foothold here two years
ago. Yet that foothold, obtained by fall
lacious reasoning and wild promises made to
the farmers during the hard times, is fast be-
coming a slippery one. Cheered by the
abundant crops and general increase of bust
ness the farmer begins TO see through the
specious reasoning of the Greenback candi-
dates. Yet the G.. BIS still have their party
organs and the few office holders made such
by the Greenback element are making a
hard fight TO retain their hold. Your cor
respondent attended a Greenback rally few
weeks ago, and now understands how the
wild fiat money notions obtain credence.
The meeting was addressed by Gen. Weaver,
Greenback member of Congress 1t
of a farming region, and the audience
was wholly of farmers. They were, how
ever, not much like the well-to-do, intelligent
farmers of Vermont but men comparatively
ignorant, foreigners, many of whom with
mortgages on their farms were ready TO
catch at any straw which promises them an
easy release from their debts; men who
spend the best days of each week in town
discussing political issues and bewailing the
hard times. Upon such an audience it was
easy for the fluent Congressman with his
plausible reasoning TO make an impression
Seeming to deal with questions which immc-
diately concerned them, he told them that
they paid the price of two hogs for that
which once they bought with one, for which
the Administration was to blame, and with
catching phrases and sncering jokes against
the Republican party he worked upon the
feelings of his ignorant and ready y-to-be con-
vinced hearers, until their excitement let
itself out in demoniac yells.
AT a Democratic rally, addressed by Cap
tain 1eomans in this city, the remarks which |
called forth the most applause were words
of President Lincolns ''eman- |
cipation proclamation"
The impression which your correspondent |
received of Iowa politics might have been
worry unfa vorahl,. ba1 no nat also attended :, {
Republican meeting addressed by Gen. John
Logan where an immense audience of intel
ligent hearers made it plain that sound talk |
was relishcd b. large majority, and led |
me to think that the very yrankness of the op |
position swellcd the ranks of the stalwarts.
SOCIAL CUSTOMS, ETC.
Notwithstanding the political agitation and
rush of business-for business has received a
impetus here-the people of this |
fair, beautiful capital city of Iowa, still find |
time for social festivities. Last week, the /
season was opened by grand hop at the
Academy of Music The general appearance
and dress of those in attendance was much |
as il would he at like gathering in Burling- |
charming Yet the manner of invitation !
to these private assemblies is somewhat |
peculiar. The manager of such a hop, who |
performs the work so successfully executed |
by the gallant Gideon last Winter at Bur
lington, carries with him in his round, a list |
Of the young ladies whose social rank is such |
as TO make them eligible to an invitation, and
the young man solicited is compelled TO
make his scratch against the name of the
young lady of his choice. Thus, when one |
hears young man remark, Il scratched Miss
Daisy -" it must not he inferred that
there has been an encounter with feline
weapons, but only that he has paid Miss --
the compliment of an invitation to the hop. |
Archery in this city holds the place in |
outdoor amusements occupied by croquet in |
the East. No lawn is complete without its
shooting ground, and this sport is partici- |
pated in alike by both old and young of both |
sexes The Des Moines archery club re-
turned from Chicago few weeks ago laden |
with trophies won in contest with the |
Chicago. .bowsman and bowswomen. Some |
of our finest shots are young ladies. In truth, |
their interest in the sport may not be without |
an incentive, as in no more striking way is |
the natural grace Of the fair sex displayed |
than when arrayed in jaunty costume they |
take poise and, Diana like, let fly the |
feathercd arrow from the bended bow.
notice that L. Morton Smith, ex-corrcs- |
of the Boston journal, who left |
Vermont in disgust, is occasionally registered |
at the Aborn House in this city, being oc-
cuped in reporting political speeches and
general news for the Chicago Tribune
C. L. Mitchell, formerly of Burlington, |
made a short stay in this city. He is now in |
Burlington, Iowa, and contemplates going |
r,I.
Yours, S. 5. B.