The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1882-08-24
CONGRESSMAN FOR THE SECOND
DISTRICT.

C0uCuU Wusc - Sn0 Op00ssC0sa
Party.
To the Editor Of the Tribune:
For the last quarter OF century there
has not been better opportunity Of
beating the caucus nominations Of the
Republican party than the present. The
rank and file Of the Republican party
are thoroughly Disguised with the utter
disregard for honesty and pure Repub-
licanism that the leaders Of the party
have manifested Of late. In this Sec
ond district there will be no trouble
to beat the Republican nominee,
provided all the opposing elements
unite for that purpose, but the 6rst
question is, who shall lead? The
Democrats urge that, as they are tho
most numerous of the opposing ele-
ments, they should lead of in this
movement. There is much reason for
this, but here comes in the hitch.
There are tens of thousands Of dis
satisfied Republicans that will not
unite with the Democrats az party,
but are perfectly willing to act with
them on neutral platform. This
has been carried out successfully
in Maine, where the Democrats have
united with the Nationals and routed
the Republicans in the State elections.
BY uniting with the Nationals the Dem
ocrats don't by any means lose their
organizations. This can be accom-
plishe.l in the same manner that fire
companies unite to stop conf1agratiOn.
When the fire is subdued each company
goes back to their various locations.
What is needed in this reform move
ment is q common platform on which
all can stand and will not jar with the
leading principles held by the parties
that may unite to save q common
country from the mass Of political cor
ruption and official dishonesty that is
sapping the very foundations Of the re-
public. Can this be done? Most Ger
tainly. The leading Republican papers,
together with the leading men OF their
party, have grossly and gratuitously in
suited the Democrats and naturalized
citizens by their action in the late elec-
tion ON the prohibitory amendment. In
stead of leaving the question to be de-
cided on its merits and by the cool ac-
tion Of the people, they commence by
stating that the Democrats. as . party,
were opposed to the temperance cause,
and. not satisfied with that wholesale
slander. they insult the German and
Irish voters by placing them IL tho
same list. Hero il m element OF dis
satisfaction IN the Republican Ranks
that cant nor won't be reconcled. Then
the farmers Of all parties throughout
the West are exasperated OF the action
OF tie railroad companies in doubling
up the rates Oh freight, ard their rob
bing them Of half their crop. Why, the
action of lot of pirates would not be
more criminal. The working men and
mechanics are demanding recognition
III the Government Of the nation. just
look for one moment ut our national
Government. The President lawyer,
another acting as Vice President, every
member Of the Cabinet are lawyers,
with 223 in the House and 81 in the
Senate, and not enough Of farmers,
mechanics and working men to make .
corporate guard. Now that the lawyers
are entitled to q fair representation no
oac will deny, but that they should use
up tie whole Government is altogether
another thing. What is needed now is
a candidate selected from the industrial
classes a man who. coming from the
ranks Of the people, can sympathise
vi Ii, understand Their wants and will 60
lledged to reform and retrenchment, on
Q following platform
l. All monopolies must be controlled
by law.
2. All money must be issued by the
Government, and all issues, whether
gold, silver or paper, must be declared
Of uniform value.
3. All transportation companies must
be limited in their charge, aud heavy
penalty imposed when they exceed the
limit imposed by law.
l. No properties or valu IS to be ex-
empt flom taxation, except the home
s.ead, the exempted goods Of the poor
man and all school houses and churches
that are valued under $1,000; all the
rest that claim protection Of the
courts must contribute to support them.
s. Reform in our courts Of law, the
abolition Of the grand jury, the rendi-
tion Of verdicts by juries when two
thirds agree, and other reforms that are
imperativcly demanded.
G. A representative of each OF the
prominent parties in the canvass on all
election boards.
I. Civil-servicc reform honestly car
ried out. and the election of Postmasters
and all other officials, as far IS practical
by the people.
8. The reclamation Of all forfeited
land grants and the holding Of the pub
lie domain for homesteads for the peO-
pie.
Here are few planks on which . large
portion Of the voters can unite. No
Democrat can object to a single one Of
them. They cover the main points in
the National Labor platform. Why
can't we unite on some one taken from
the industrial ranks, and beat the eau
Gus nominee Of the Republican party !
It can be done by united movement.
All over the nation this is the policy at
present pursued. In Kansas the Demo
Gratis and in Texas, Missouri and other
Democratic States the Republicans are
endorsing the National nominations.
One word in conclusion to tho Demo
Gratis Of the Second district; by uniting
with the Nationals you can beat the Re-
publicans, but by keeping separate you
will come out in the future, rs in the
past, second best. But some will argue
why not have the Nationals join with
the Democrats and beat the Repnbk-
cans. Here is most potent reason.
Many OF the Nationals left the Repub-
!ican party through disgust, and, though
willing to break up their old party, yet
they will not join the Democrats, as .
party, under any circumstances, though
they are willing to act on . common
platform, such as the above. Democrats
should bear in mind that il they win in
IN election it must be through the aid
Of disgusted Republicans, aud il they
will ante on common platform success
is assured. So thinks your correspon-
dent.
All Democratic papers in the Second
district please copy if these views meet
their approval. 3. SNsETr.
A Wonderful Fact,