The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-08
NEW DEAL IN IOWA
The Abandonment of Free Silver Is
Surprise to Eastern
Politicians.
It Is Said to Be Ex-Gov. ,Boies' Work
What He Expects to '."[.4
Gain. 49, '=.'.' H..
From The journal Bureau. Room Is, Post
Building, Washington.


Building, Warrington.
Washington, Sept. S.-The fact that the
Iowa democrats have abandoned free sill
yer has caused some surprise in the east,
for it was supposed here that the influence
Of MIR. Bryan would be strong enough in
that state at least to hold its unterrifed
cohorts in line for formal Endorsement Of
the Kansas City platform, if not for spe-
cif1c declaration for free silver. The state
ment in the dispatches to the effect that
the change was made at the dictation Of
Former Governor Horace Boies, who hopes
as the result to capture for the democracy
three or even four congressional districts,
Is a confession Of democratic weakness in
Iowa which will probably do much to dis
hearten the rank and file of that party.
One Of the congressional districts which
Mr.. Boies has in mind is the second, or
the Davenport district, lying along the
mississippi river. Until the days Of free
silver that district had been reliably demo-
cratic. 1t has large and influential Ger
man population, which had been voting
the democratic ticket for many years,
went over to the republican party in 1896,
and has been there since. This year the
republicans have nominated for congress
in the second district G. A. Hoffman, q
prominent German citizen of Muscatine,
known favorably and widely up and down
The only hope of the democrats Is In the
nomination of a man Of the same stripe,
and thus far they have been unable to find
| one who would accept the honor. Presurn-
| ably, they will ultimately be compelled to
select some unknown and untried candi-
date, and Mr.. Hoffman will be elected by
a rousng majority. Even with a strong
German candidate, it is believed at repub-
lican congressional headquarters In New
| York that Mr.. Hoffman will surely win,
| for the great bulk Of his countrymen in
the district stand with him in opposing the
democratic party in its present form.
It is said that the Iowa democrats are
also hoping for success in the sixth dis
| trict now represented by Judge Lacey. In
this district, however, the democrats are
| strongly for free silver, and the recent
declaration Of the state convention will be
repudiated.
! Another "doubtfup' Iowa district Is the
eighth, represented by Uncle Pete" Hep
burn the chairman of the committee OF
interstate and foreign commerce. This
district was formerly very close. Six years
ago Mr.. Hepburn carried it by only about
500 plurality; since that time, however
it's republican margin has been growing
rapidly, and in 1900 Mr.. Hepburn's ma
jority was more than 5000. *-~ re:
The remaining doubtful Iowa district
is the third, represented by Speaker HaN-
derson. Only a democratic landslide could
unseat General Henderson, and since q
landslide is not expected by either party,
it is not worth while to speculate on what
the result will be:
These are the districts which the demo-
Gratis hope to gain by declaring in their
state platform against free silver An
analysis of the condition in the districts
Esimply emphasizes the hopelessnees Of the
democratic situation In Iowa.
w. W. Jermano,