Los Angeles herald., 1892-04-18
WHY IOWA is A DOUBTFUL STATE.

There has been during the present
presidential campaign, as there was
during the last, great deal of discus
sion as to the feasibility of carrying
number of western states for the Demo-
cratic nominee for president. The re-
markable success of Horace F. Boies in
carrying Iowa twice in succession as the
Democratic candidate for governor has
led multitudes of Democrats to look
upon that gentleman as very available
parsonage, and it may well be that his
name will be favorably regarded at Chi
cago. He is personally exceedingly
popular, which has been attested by his
running largely ahead of his ticket, and
being elected where all his associates
were beaten. He is noted for a rugged
honesty and for abilities of respectable
order. 1t is quite probable that even
for president he might carry the Hawk
eye State.
Hon. John N. Irwin, governor OF Ari-
zona, contributes an exceedingly inter-
esting article to the April number of the
Forum under the heading, "Is Iowa a
Doubtful State?" He proceeds to ans
wer his question in the affirmative, and
even admits that it may be doubtful
even in a presidential year. He gives a
variety of reasons for this opinion, and
they all have some force. In the first
place, he claims that the Republicans
OF Iowa are losing largely from emigra-
ton. They have contributed to
the Republican vote in adjoin-
ing states of the northwest while
depicting their own. We might
add as a supplement to Governor Irwin's
statement that the Iowa Republican has
done much to increase the majority of
his party in Los Angeles and other coun-
ties of Southern California. The gov
ernor says that number of counties
that formerly gave a Republican major
ity of thirty thousand, from this cause
now give Democratic majority of four
thousand. Farming has proved unprofit-
able in Iowa of late years, and the emf
grafton has been from the farms, whose
population is largely Republican. The
people in the cities, which are staunchly
Democratic, have not emigrated to any
appreciable extent.
Governor Irwin says that not per
cent OF the German-American citizens
in Iowa now vote with the Republican
party. He ascribes this detection to
the peculiar policy OF his party on pro-
hibition. For years the state employed
agents in Europe, who distributed cir
culars and pamphlets broadcast, dwell
ing upon the attractions of Iowa for set
tlement, and amongst other induce
ments the ability to make wine and
beer from the products of the soil We're
particularized. At that time there was
prohibition against the sale of whiekey,
wine, beer and other distilled and fer
mented liquors, but the making of
these staples was not prohibited. When
the state passed the law prohibiting the
making as we'll as the sale
of these beverages, an immense
capital invested in the breweries
and distilleries was simply annihilated,
as no provision was made to reimburse
their owners. Added to this was the
notorious fact that prohibition did not
prohibit. the consumption of whiskey,
wine and beer continuing in defiance Of
the law. The state thus suffered all the
inconveniences OF intemperance without
the advantage of the revenues which
could be derived from system of high
license. Governor Irwin claims that
the overwhelming sentiment OF the
people of Iowa is in favor of local
option, thus permitting each commu-
nifty to decide for itself what it would
have as respects the liquor traffic.
The second generation of the Ger
man, Scandinavian and other for
eign residents are growing up
Democrats, and this is another source of
strength to the Democratic and weak
ness to the Republican party. The
leaders of the latter organization have
been afraid to stem this tide, because
they fear that il they act up to their real
convictions the Prohibitionists will put
ticket of their own in the field. The
original object OF their policy was to
attract the temperance element in the
Democratic party. This they have sig
nally failed to do, while they have alien
ated a large liberal element in their
own party. The governor is of the
opinion that this issue will have to be
met, or the Republicans will suffer still
heavier losses.
A singular cause for defections from
his party is given by Governor Irwin.
He claims that great many Republi-
cans think that the pension appropria-
tions are being carried to too great an
extreme. They are afraid to take an open
stand on this issue, and having an i'm
preston that Democratic ascendancy
would check this tendency they quietly
cast Democratic ballot. There has
thus far been nothing in the action OF
any Democratic house of representatives
or any Democratic convention to justify
this belief. Democrats have shown q
disposition to be liberal in appropria-
tions for the soldier of the late war,
though critical, as it is right they should
be, when there was reason TO be-
lieve that the treasury was being MIXED
by unscrupulous persons under the
guise of sympathy for the boys in blue.
A LAST reason which ia piven in tho ar