The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-08-20

the war and prior to 1871, but
ANEW EpocH BEGAN
at that time. The anti monopoly sentiment
grew more prominent, and the parties strug-
gled with renewed energy, to promise at
least to do the most for the people. They
were united in denouncing the political cor
ruption of the times, the salary grab, credit
mobilier, revenue frauds, embellishments by
public officials in all parties, each denounc-
ing the corruption Of its own party, as well
a. in others that year.
From 1856 to ISIS there were, think, nc
nominations for state officers by any other
than the republican and democratic parties
But along In 1874, during period of polit
ical unrest, there were two classes who came
prominently to the front, demanding of the
old parties special action in accordance with
their ideas. They were the prohibitfonists
and greenbackers. The republicans, because
OF their advanced grounds upon patriotic
questions and their good record In the man.
agement OF public affairs. had been able to
''sit down" upon any political 'side show
and still roll up magnificent ajorities But
In 1875 the prohibitionists, unable by threats
or entreaty to induce the republican party
to "move up" as they expressed 1t, and de-
clare for prohibition, arranged to ''get to-
gether." The party at that time held thou.
sands of Germans, and other citizens Of for
eign birth, who had stood by It with devo
ton. 1t did not wish to drive from the par.
ty those thousands OF voters, nor to pass
any law that would tend to keep desirable
people from locating In the state. But the
prohibitionists refused to be comforted, and
in 1875
TIE FIRST GUN WAS FLhED FOR NEW PARTY
They met at Des Moines, June 30, and re,
"Whereas. The existing political parties In
their state platforms have ignored or repu-
dated the foregoing principles, the one de-
q resolution opposed to the repeal Of the
existing prohibitory law of the state,
and by this action the temperance people
are forced to seek the promotion OF their
objects by such organizations and combina.
tions as may prove most effective without
reference TO previous political afiiliation."
The prohibitiontsts did then what they
have repeatedly done since, viz held their
convention just prior to the republican state
convention. intimidation Of the republicans
their object The republicans, how.
ever, made no reference to the mat
ter whatever, but they denounced southern
outrages, advocated q tariff for revenue so
posed to further land grants and third
term, approved the national policy of arbi-
tration, and invited all opposed to the
restoration of the democratic party to power
to unite with them. The temperance ex-
ecutive committee then met and placed
John Hogarth Lozier in nomination for
governor, and he received 737 votes. But
Kirk wood had 3O,S4S majority over all
just the same.
The following year, 1876, witnessed the
birth of the greenback party In Iowa. This
party demanded the repeal of the specie re-
sumption act of 1875, the reconciliation of
silver, equality of soldier bounties, reduc-
ton of official salaries, and condemned
special legislation in favor of capital. The
republicans that year inserted plank in
viting immigration from all civilized coun-
tries, guaranteeing to immigrants the same
political privileges and social and religious
freedom ''that we ourselves enjoy" The
prohtbitionists put no ticket In the field, 1t
being presidential year. The greenback-
ers polled 9, 34l votes, and
THE EPOCH or NEW POLITICAL PARTIES
and great changes was at hand Both old
parties worked AArd for the greenback vote
In 1877. but, flushed with the successes of the
previou. year, the. &c BIS" ignored oil hirta-
parties were In the field In 1877, The repub-
licans held their convention first that year,
resolving ''in favor of the enforcement OF
the present prohibitory liquor law" then
excluding ale, beer and wine) land any
amendments thereto that will render its pro-
visions more effective in the suppression of
intemperance." The prohibitionists were
not satisfied. They called convention and
nominated DR.. Jesup for governor. They
were not only dissatisfied with the republl-
cans refusal to indorse prohibition out
right but they were dissatisfied with Gear,
the republican candidate for governor, who
was an outspoken ''anti." The prohibition
lists came out of the contest with II, 545 votes,
while the greenbackers made the astonishing
showing IT 8s,2sS. But Gear walked Off
with AZ, 1873 more votes than his democratic
opponents. although the combined opposi-
ton vote was 2 81 against him. Campbell
republican candidate for lieutenant COVER
nor, had 1881 majority over all, clearly
indicating, a. the prohibitionists had
no candidate for lteutenant governor,
that the prohibition vote for governor
was taken from the republican party, while
greenbackers had come largely from the
party. Both old parties were
greatly troubled and skirmished around
lively looking for political salvation. A
very noticeable feature is the fact that the
In the second year of their