New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-06-05
MARKED UNITY IN IOWA.
INTEREST IN THE ELECTION OF A
SENATOR.
STRENGTH OF "oLD BUsINEss"-GovERNoR
SHAW AND OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MuLLMAN TO BE RENOVATED.


MILLIMAN TO BE RENoMINATED.
burlington. Iowa, June (SpecaD-The Iowa
no,ittcal situation presents some extraordinary
features. which arc probably without parallel
I'm any other State. Iowa is represented at
WASHINGTON b. a solid Republican delegation in
both houses Of Congress and a member of the
Cabinet The State Is not torn by party
factions From the organization Of the Re-
publican party in 1854 Iowa has always cast
Ter electoral vote for the Republican nominee
for President. and only twice have the Demo-
Gratis elected the Governor Gforace Boies. in 1889
and 1870. while they never obtained control OF
the Legislature or elected a United States Sens-
tor.
There will be harmonious action in the State
Convention at Des Molnes on August Q when
nominations will be made for Governor and
Lieutenant Governor, Railroad Commissioner,
Judge OF the Supreme Court and Superin-
+endent Of Public Schools. Governor Shaw and
Lieutenant Governor Mnliman. by precedent
and by popular desire, Will be renomnated. For
the other two Offices. especially the Judgeship,
there are numerous candidates, but the con-
tests will be purely personal and without fac
tional strife. Ninety nine counties will be rep
resented In the State Convention by 1,2SO dele
gates.
The Democrats and Populists will both hold
their State conventions at Des Moines two weeks
later on August 16 and will make an effort at
fusion but probably without effect. because or
a dsinclination of the Democrats to train any
longer with the Populists who never had much
of a foothod in Iowa and now have barely
semblance of an organization
The Third Party PrOhibitionists recently held
their State Convention at Des Mones, and nomi-
mated part of a State ticket meeting with great
difficulty in finding persons to accept nOnlina-
tons In 1897 out of total vote of 43S.2SZ FOR
L, gIf h fnYfcf &c
only S,243. Their vote will probably fall below
that this year.
Governor Shaw is a successful executive and
pronounced advocate OF sound money, ana mas
attained an almost National reputation as an
orator and gold standard advocate he was
chairman of the Indianapolis Monetary ConVeh-
ton and jealous champion or currency redoi IL
He will be nominated by acclamauOh anu It,
elected by large majority.
THE sENAToRsHIP.
The chief feature OF Iowa politics this year
Is the Senatorial campaign. The members of
tho lower house OF the General Assembly and
one-half OF the Senators are to be elected this
year. The new Legislature Will meet IN Janu-
airy. and elect the successor of John Henry
Gear whose term expires in 1901. Senator Gear
IL now serving his first term in the Senate, and
the precedents in favor OF bis reelection,
although it will not be accomplished without
opposition. Mr.. Gear was formerly wholesale
grocery merchant of Burlington. and when he
entered upon a political career, about thirty
years ago, he carried his practical business
habits into his admins traton of public affairs
and while Governor acquired the sobriquet OF
"Old Business" by which he has ever since
been popularity known in Iowa He was first
elected Mayor OF Burlington. and subsequently
chosen TO the lower house of the State Legs-
lature from Democratic county. He was twice
elected Speaker of the Iowa House, and subse-
Quently served two terms as Governor and sew
eral terms as Congressman from the LIST Dur
1ngton) District. He was an active coworker
with Major Mckinley on the Ways and Means
Committee in framing the Mckinley tariff
schedules, and was the author of the free sugar
clause OF that measure. He was elected to the
United States Senate as successor Of the late
Senator James f. Wilson. Of Fairfield. and has
been conspicuous in committee work, rather
than on the floor. bringing TO bear on every
important measure assigned to his committee
the practical business sense that has always
characterized his public work.
While Iowa has many capable and ambitious
Republicans In Congress and in State offices
who would like to go TO the Senate, none OF
, them q candidate against Senator Gear. The
only opposing candidate IS Albert b. Cummins
a prominent lawyer OF Des Mones and a brill
tant orator His only public office was one
term in the lower house of the General Assem-
bly,, to which he was elected some years ago
as the nominee Of the Democrats and boiling
Republicans against the regular Republican
nominee, the prohibition issue. Mr. Cum
minis and his friends are making aggressive
but unavailing campaign. basing their fght
chiefly upon the fact that Mr.. Cummins Is q
younger man than Senator Gear.