Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-09-26
MAJOR LACEY GIVES VIEWS
ON POLITICAL ISSUES

ioSiN1SoS
year have been the most urgent in the
attempt at non-partisan gatherings to
arouse satisfied public from the
quietude in which politics had been
submerged.
81 have never abused my privileges
at the numerous non-partisan gather
ings at which have spoken for so
many years. l have been content to
avoid partisan or factional questions
in the Fourth of July, Decoration Day,
Old Settlers or Old Soldiers meetings,
but have always on such occasions en-
deavored to steer clear of party pol
tics
chautauqua Talk.
"Chautauqua political talk in an off
year must be sensational but is hard.
ly substitute for the real thing, be-
cause it carries no responsibility and
the people have no chance to say at
the polls what they think of it. When
Hobson proposes to appropriate three
and half billion dollars for the navy
the people cheer him, but what num-
Der of things they would do to a con.
gresham who would vote for such a
bill!
''In fact, in the pressure of political
work | have always regarded it as
relief to turn to the discussion of non
partisan matters at such meetings.
and this is the first party gather
ing that have attended this year and
the first appropriate opportunity for
political discussion that I have had.
In fact, this is, think, the only con.
vention of our party thus far held in
the state this year.
II rejoice to be able to look in the
faces of convention Of Davis county
republicans. You have not been as
numerous as in some other counties.
but for loyalty and zeal the old auard
of old Davis is never excelled. You
have; had little time for abuse of one
another, but have reserved your am
munition for your political opponents
And it is especially gratifying to
me to meet you after the victory of
last year in which you carried this
county for our magnificent leader,
Theodore Roosevelt. 1t is still more
gratifying to know that the people of
this county, regardless of past party
affiliations are not at all sorry that
the result Of last year was favorable
to our cause. Our opponents have al
ways shared with US in prosperity as
we have shared with them in misfor
tune.
Statewide Primary Elections.
ut is pleasant to hold these repub.
lican conferences where we NAV take
counsel together for the common ben
et1t OF our party and country. Party
state conventions "a
together representative men of the
great political parties where they may
frame the issues upon which cam
paigns shall be conducted. do not
believe this system should be aban.
doned
"The subject Of statewide primaries
Is now being discussed in many parts
of our state and it is proposed to en-
act that compulsory system into the
Iowa law. In many counties the party
has at times adopted the convention
system and again the primary election
as they might find the most convenient
or the best adapted to their needs. It
Is now proposed to compel the primary
system by law in all the counties and
also establish 1t in the state at large.
The plan Is by no means new one.
For fifty years we have had the state
convention system and it has worked
well. State nominees have been dis
tributed with due recognition to diff
ferent localities and factional differ
ences have often been healed by rec
ignition of different elements of the
party.
''In the south wnere the election is
merely matter of form, with only
one party to be considered. it was
deemed necessary to have some sort
of party election to take the place
of the regular convention which settles
the issues in other states
And so they adopted the statewide
primary, and it is now held up to us
as an example of wisdom for us to
follow. In Arkansas, South Carolina,
difficulties in statewide primaries.
That such a system does not bring
ideal results we may readily see by
noting that under it the Tilmans have
won control in South Carolina, the
Vardamans are supreme in Mississippi
and Jefferson Davis has been retained
in political power in Arkansas.
The Tariff.
''The continuance of successful poll
cies in public matters is just as wise
as in private matters.
1T is always a satisfaction to Be able
to say I told you so and l am enabled
now to point with qualification to the
fulflment of the republican prophecies
of 1896.
81 believed then that the return to
the protective tariff and the mainte-
nance of all of our currency at par
with gold would again bring prosperity
to our land and employment to our
wage earners.
81 thought then a positive declara-
ton as to our standard of value would
increase the circulation by bringing
gold out of hiding and rendering the
basis of business certain.
''The results are gratifying to us
and must even be satisfying to those
who opposed US.
"On September 1, 1896 our total cir
culation was s1,539, 169,634, or $21. 4S
per capita. On September 1, 1905, it
is S2,604 ,902,301 and increased to
S3140 per capita.
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