Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-31
THE STATE CONVENTION.

THE STATE CONVENTION.
The republican state convention has
fulfilled its mission in manner that
will receive the hearty approval of all
publicaps throughout the state. The
overshaaowing feature OF the conven-
ton was the address of Temporary
Chairman Smith. This address is one
of tho finest efforts ever presented to
political convention in Iowa Judge
Smith is not only q member of con-
gresa. b';siress man ana lawyer OF
ability, bit he is a iurist and he
brought 10 the consideration of the
important questions now before the
people q judicial mind His argu
ments are clear, concise, direct and I'M
answerable. Judge Smiths treatment
of the tariff and trust questions, and
their alleged mutual interdependence
is masterfnl and convincing. He show
ell that the tariff does not shelter mo-
l,opoly and that "the democratic party
would if it had the power injure per-
haps incidentally some of the trusts,
at the same time fatten others by in
creasing their already unjust profits,
rob the American laboringman of that
work which is justly his and bring
about another starving time"
He sums the whole matter up in
this concise, positive and unequivocai
sdeclasaSion:
III may as we'll be understood, how
ever. that the republican party will
neither consent to abandon its cardina!
doctrine of protection nor to oppres-
sion of the people by the trusts. Its
cry is not for commercial freedom at
the expense of prosperity, but COM
mercial freedom and prosperity.
1.-THE republican party is determined
that these organizations (trusts), the
creatures of the people for the public
good, shall not become the masters
of the people"
The platform was prepared by an
exceedingly strong committee On res
olutions. Practically the only discus
sion in the preparation of this plat
form was the incorporation of the
clause which says, Eve favor any
modification of tariff schedules that
may be required to prevent their at
fording shelter to monopoly" This
declaration comes after the positive
declaration that the republican party
asserts the sovereignty OF the peopleov
er all corporations and aggregations of
enforce such regulations as will abso
lutely protect individuals and society
from the abuse Of corporate power
With this preliminary declaration
comes the further statement to the eff
feet that if any modification of tariff
schedules should be found necessary TIC
prevent their affording shelter to mo-
nopoly, then the republican party is
ready to meet the situation with vigol
and determination. In other words
the republicans of Iowa are in deat
earnest about this matter Of the trusts
and they do not propose to let any
thug stand in the way of their legiti
mate control and if need be, suppress
s:cr. In the light of Judge Smiths
address, and the preliminary declara
ton on the tariff and the trusts, the
contested clause above referred to bu
strengthens the situation and make.
the platform more emphatic and posi-
tive
The nominees Of the convention ar
all splendid representatives of Iowa re
publicans and Iowa citizenship. The!
are eminently deserving of the SUI
frages of the people and it goes with
out saying that Iowa will roll up its US
ual republican majority on election
day in November.