National Republican., 1882-12-28
Way OUT IN iowa.
Some Account Of the Political Confusion tha'
Reigns in that State,
A Condition Of Things Resulting Natur
ally From Too Much "TangIe Foot"
The Efforts Of Gov. Sherman's Friends TO Make 81,
John Of Him.
Kasson Pushing for Allison's seat-Th'
President and tho People.
Spscinl Letier.


DIES MONIES, Iowa, Dec. 23-At this time
ii can truly be said that Iowa is in very con-
fused political state. With three democratic
congressman elect and greatly reduced ma
.ority on the state ticket as result of the No
vember election many republicans are ask
ing, "What of the future?" A great many
different views are entertained as to the cause
of the partial defeat in this hitherto strong
hold of republicanism. The ultra-temperance
men say that the party lost votes because
it did not come out boldly in
favor of making the prohibitory amendment
a party question, while the opponents of the
amendment say that party that makes itself
the champion of such fanaticism deserves de-
feat. While the advocates and opponents of
the amendment are quarreling with each
other the amendment itself is running the
gauntlet of the courts. Judge Hayes, of the
Muscatine district has rendered de-
cison to the effect that the amend
ment was not legally adopted. This
decision was appealed from, and the
question is now awaiting decision by the state
court, having been argued pro and con by the
ablest lawyers in the state. If the decision
of the lower court is sustained strong effort
will be made to have the whole question ig-
nored by the next state convention.
Gov sherman has pushed himself to the
front as the special champion of the amend
ment. He seems anxious, and some of his
friends seem anxious, to have him become the
st. John of Iowa. There is strong and
growing opposition TO Shcrman's renomina-
tion. This feeling is not only shared by the
anti-amendment republicans, but a great
many of the more ultra temperance peo-
pie are not satisfied with Sherman as
their leader. They know what many of the
"boys" know, and that is that Buren, will
take his tod on the sly. Anyhow, sherman is
undersize for the position of governor of this
great and growing state. He is a clever fell
low, was good county auditor and good
state auditor, but is not above the average of
men who fill the county offices through
out Iowa. But he is ambitious. 1t is
really hintcd that he is now figuring for
| the Allison succession. The governor expects
the amendment will be made an issue in the
next legislature, and he expects a large num-
Der of members will be elected solely on the
ground of their position on the temperance
question, and he hopes that as the especial
champion of the amendment to make sGna-
| torial hay while the prohibition sun shines.
Speaking Of the senatorship, am reminded
| that Mr.. kasson's friends here at his home are
very outspoken in proclaiming him candi-
date. kasson Is strong in this city, and |
have often wondered why it is so. He does
not pretend TO live here. He has purchased
a house in WASH lgton and ] have no idea
he will ever return to Iowa to live if he should
fail in getting Allison's seat. / am a great ad-
mirer of Kasson's ability, hut l do not be-
lieve he can make the slightest hcadway in
a contest against Allison. The latter
is the most popular man in politics with the
people of the state. He is ashrewd, sharp or
ganizer, and has always been able to call to
his aid better organized fighting force than
any other man in Iowa politics. He saquiet
worker. He has succeeded in filing the most
important offices in the state with close and
active friends, and he has succeeded in
managing the Iowa delegation so as to pre-
vent the appointment to any important Office
of any man who opposed him in his efforts to
deliver the state to Blaine. There are no
"stalwart" and half breed" factions in Iowa
and ! am glad of it, as do not believe in fac
tions nor do believe the fights of the future
should be made with reference to the past, but
the fact is a striking one that President Ar
thur has made but one appointment
from among the men in Iowa who were
counted with his side of the political house
up to the time he became president This is
historical fact. 1t may be accounted for
on the grounds that the President has APP
pointed on the recommendation of the sena-
tors and members. While it cannot be said
that the President has shown any disposition
to be factional, do not think the same thing
can be said of the Iowa delegation or the men
on the delegation to whom the President has
listened.
The President has grown greatly in this
state. For awhile he was terribly misrepre-
sented by portion of the press. The effort
made to write him into insignifcance failed.
He has daily grown in public estimation
The people like the straightforward, manly
course he has pursued, and nine-tenths of the
people of the state approved his veto of the
river and harbor bill