Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-10
Iowa Democrats Begin Plans
for Conventions.
CANDIDATES In FIELD
Indications Point to Little Fight in the
State Gathering With Small Chance
of Winning in Any District-Party
Men Say Little.

Des Moines, July S.-The democrats
are gradually getting together to fix
the dates of their conventions for the
nomination of congressional candi
dates. No other conventions have
been called or held as far as known.
and they are not talking anything
about the state convention, which,
however, is two months distant. The
fact that they are devoting all of their
attention to the congressional situa.
ton indicates that their campaign will
be waged solely along congressional
lines. Democrats who have been in
Les Moines recently are non-commit.
tai on the subject, but it is generally
understood that whatever money they
have to spend will be spent in the
close districts, and every effort will
be made to elect one or two congress.
men from Iowa. The first district
convention has been called to meet
July 20. The only other convention
called is that of the eleventh, which
will meet at LeMars, August 81. Prob
ably most of the conventions will
meet about the time of the state con.
vention
Roies Will Not Accept.
| While few candidates have been
mentioned almost every district has
one prospective candidate. In the
| first district R. S. ellis, of Mt. Pleas
ant, and John j. Seerley, of Burling.
ton, are the most prominently men
toned. In the second, Judge M. j.
wade, of Iowa City, is about the only
candidate mentioned so far and it is
understood that he can have the nom.
ination ii he wants it. The talk of
democratic candidates in the third.
which was SO strong about the time of
Speaker Henderson's denomination by
the republicans, has died down. Elk
Governor Boies was mentioned but he
will Lot be a candidate. His son.
Louis Boies has also been suggested
There is a close friendship between
the Boies and Henderson families, and
it is doubtful if any of the governors
sons would enter the race. 1t is ru-
mored that the democratic nomination
lin the fourth district may go to Ma
son City as sort eff consolation prize
No Opposition to Cousins.
I No one has been mentioned in the
fifth to oppose Cousins. John P.
Reese. of Abba. the president of the
United Mine Workers of Iowa. is the
only democrat prominently mentioned
in The sixth. In spite of the fierce
fight waged against Congressman Hull
in the seventh, the democratic stan,
dard bearers are slow to present them
selves. No candidates have been
heard of yet. Claude R. Porter, of
Centerville, senator from the Davis.
4 Appanoose district, is the only one
mentioned in the eighth, and he has
declared that he will not accept the
nomination. The ninth and tenth are
thus far without even prospective can.
Gidates. In the eleventh district VIII
.IC. Whiting, of Monona county. has
been suggested as an available man.
Mr. Whiting Is man of considerable
wes III. and is quite popular through.
out the district. He represents the
lIda-Mcnona district in the legislature
being elected last year by majority
of nearly 500 in a district that is usu.
ally extremely close.
There is little doubt but that In
making arrangements early for the
, congressional conventions the demo-
Gratis are following the suggestion OF
their national committee politicians.
who are inclined to look impartially
! on the situation, see no chance OF
:, democratic success On any district
though it is admitted they are capable
of making fight In some.