The Evening critic., 1882-02-01
THE EVENING CRITIC.
HAWKEYE HASH.
A miscellaneous ssixture of Political
pointN and PrOmiscuOus Para
graphs from over the Prairies of

EsTApLIsuEp AUGUST. is0s

DES MONIES, IOWA, Jan, u, l7SS.
The capital city of Iowa wrestles with its
biennial attack of fwickedness-the General
Assembly is in session. The rural states
men are all on the ground, each with his
campaign speech on temperance and bill for
the odownfall of cookie. bursn safely slowed
away in his pocket, while the hotels, thea
tres and saloons wax fat and flourish like
unto Missouri bay mule in clover pas
ture. or on a holiday kicking picnic at
country fair. The preachers began praying
for the welfare of our great commonwealth
two weeks before the solons arrived, but
strange as such things may be to tho un-
initiated heme-staying constituency, there
is wonderful, not to say alarming, in
crease in the downward tendency of liquid
refreshments of the stimulating variety,
where wise mon do congregate to make
laws for the good of their fellow men and
fame for themselves.
Politics have been quoted way above par
in this central city of the State of Stalwart
Republican majoritios for some time past,
but just at present the subject languishes,
although there is yet considerable angling
for minnows-the big fish have all been
caught. There is one very noticeable fca-
ture about the assembling of candidates
for State officers here, and that is the re-
nlarkable scarcity of Democrats. They are
almost as c0nspicuously absent as bald
headed oleomargarine. Not that they are
lacking in that glorious patriotism which
causes man to sacrifice himself for the
sole use and behoof of the dear people, but
that they have long since discovered that
the pole they carry is about 10000 majority
too Abbreviated to reach the pcrsimmons. 1t
is one of the most amusing sights connected
with the assembling of the Legislature to
watch the grand scramble of a Democratic
caucus to secure available timber for nomi-
nees They finally arrange it among
themselves to nominate one another or
begin on city directory and nominate un-
til there are no further loop-holes for an
escape of gas.
Iowa il not Surfeited with Great
Men.
although it may be said that she is abun-
dantly supplied. Secretary Kirkwood prob.
ably strikes nearer the popular heart of the
Hawkeyes than any other of our states
men. He was never considered brilliant,
but he combines that happy faculty of
studying deeply and being able TO tell
what he knows in an easy, taking way.
Our new Senator, Hon. James +. Wilson, is
a man of ability. and will represent Iowa
with becoming dignity in the Senate, as
well as with force Mr., Wilson belongs to
that energetic and combative class of states
men who win their way by an "up-an' Fat
'em" fight. He has fine command OF
his mental powers and dares to tackle
anything and some of the debaters of the
Senate will find him man who can spar
with or without the gloves. Congressman
Kasson, than whom there is no ADLER man
in Iowa, would undoubtedly have repro
sented material power in the senatorial
fight had it not been that he trained fol
C,,aa L Ac N StrtIp
gle was short and beautifully sweet be-
tween Gear and Wilson, with Kirkwood
as a well-groomed though not entered dark
horse.
Ex- Gov Gear lost for the simple reason
that he is no match for Wilson in cam
paign fght-he can't work the ropes. Geal
is one of the quiet, faithful workers-no'
brilliant, but model governor. l remem
ber the first time met him, several year
ago, at Burlington-a quie t, gentlemanly
and very pleasant man.
Gov. Sherman is a comparatively new
quantity in Iowa politics. True, he ha
served the State in other capacities, bu
until his nomination for governor, and hi
effective canvass of the State, he was no
much known. He bids fair to make one o
the most popular executives Iowa ever had
He is bluff, outspoken, and of easy address
rs that breeds popularity among the people
and gives promise Of future successes in tn
political arena. A lawyer of ability, goo
speaker, and in his prime, Gov. Sherma
will be heard from. The name of Sherma
reminds me of the fact that Mr.. Hoy
Sherman, a brother of the General of th
Army and Senator from Ohio, is q resden
of Des Moines, and one of the wealthie:
and most prominent citizens. He cam
here when real estate was cheap, and Ii
investments have proven eminently SUI
cessful.
To- 81 1ae faxx how ifpa
the thirty sixth anniversary of the admi
sion of Iowa into the Union; the assen
bling of the veterans of the constitution,
convention, who wisely prevented State il
debtedncss by constitutional provision; th
exhibition of the State horticultural Soc
ETY., and the State Medical Association
mixing, as it were Of fruit and physic; an
now we have State Temperance convel
ton The author of "Sweet Alice, BE
Bolt" Thomas Dunn English, touched u
the subject of temperance in Maine by
anti -prohibitory lecture two nights sine
and to prohibition" st. John, Governor
Kansas, will wrestle with the other side
the question tonight, without any inte
mission between acts to go out for drink
That will make it rather discouraging f
some of the total abstinence element.
Between Drinks,
take time to remark that pHrplerob
prosperity spreads its mantle of peace a
plenty over the land of the Hawkeye. 7
farmers, who go to make up the vast N
iority OF this agricultural domain, gather
in rich harvest last season, notwithstar
ing that the drouth did serious injury
the growing crops, especially to corn, l
the price was higher in consequence, a
the granger is moderately content. VIII
the farmer is flush, the merchant rubs
hands and smiles with increased satisf
tion, and there is rejoicing, even unto
pig.tailed, slant-eyed Chinee.
Winter, that landscape artist of 81
charming and fantastic power Of witche
has almost deserted us for the season.
yond few cutting winds aud straggl
snow-storms, the sun has shown gloriou
bright and we have reveled in rain
oceans Of those moistened particles of 7
verized earth, known collectively as IN
Des Moines takes the pastry wien it col
down to furnishing an extra qualit!
mud.
/ grieve to relate that Des Moines
lost that wild air Of Western freedom VIII
is SO attractive to the highly poeti
ultra -sestheticalp representatives of East
culture who visit us, expecting to
every other man wearing his hair long,
hat wide and his boots on the outside
his trousers while at his waist swings
conventional armory Of regulation artill