Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-09

OF Sigourney delivered the following
address,:
Mr. Chairman, Fellow Democrats,
Ladies and Gentlemen:- Gentleme of
the Convention, highly appreciate the
honor conferred upon me in being Sc.
1ected as your temporary chairman,
and while feeling my inability to pro-
perly perform it's functions, l heartily
thank you for the honor thus conferred
A great many things can be said up
On this occasion as to both state and
national affairs, and great deal has
been said, and l certainly will be par
doned upon this occasion if say many
things you have already heard or read.
Since being notified of my selection as
temporary chairman of this conven-
ton, and though l never tried before,
l commenced to try to write speech.
Every day when picked up the daily
paper l would come across speech
made by some fellow, and | would
find that he had said just what l was
going to say, and have been compelled
to almost cut the life out of my speech
In order not to be accused of plagiar-
ism, and If | do repeat some things
that have been said by others without
giving them credit it is because
thought of 1T before they said it.
There has not been time for many
years when the principles of demo-
cracy have been SO universally appre-
ciated by the people of this country as
they are now, and while there are a
great many people who will not admit
the fact or permit themselves to be
styled as such, yet the almost univer-
sal sentiment of the people of this
great state of ours, as well as a large
percentage of the people of the nation,
are beginning to believe in and are
advocating the principles of demo-
cracy. Democracy stands for that sort
of government which permits the
power to legislate to make and unmake
laws, to control all branches of the
government to remain in the hands of
the people. All this talk about the
election of United States senators by
direct vote and getting away from
corporate control and influences are
democratic doctrines, and its almost
universal advocacy oply reflects the
sentiment that has been engendered
by persistent democratic teachings.
We are today to hold a conven-
ton at a time when the whole country
Is at unrest, not so much because the
country has not been prosperous, but
because that prosperity has been d.
verified from its legitimate channels by
the illegal and discriminating methods
of the self-styled business interests. of
the country; at a time when it Is
: fact conceded by all that the combina-
ton of horded wealth has for num-
Der of years transferred the immense
wealth produced by an Industrious,
energetic and intelligent people and adj
ded it to the individual fortunes of the
self-appointed captains of industry.
These statements of fact are no longer
characterized as to the utterances of
calamity bowler, or a democratic de-
magogue, but are the actual conditions
that now and for. years have existed
as known by all people informed as to
the affairs and conditions of the coun-
try. What is greatly desired at this
time is American patriotism. Not the
kind that can only be aroused by the
noise of the cannon, or by the strains
of sweet music, but that kind of Ameri-
canism that is willing to lay aside
self, party and all else and determine
all questions relating to the govern
ment upon the principles of the wei
fare of tn country first, and self and
political parties as only secondary;
that spirit of citizenship that cannot
be swerved from it's duty to man by
any allegiance to the glitters of gold;
or the prospect of individual prefer
ence or power, and that is the spirit
fhat predominates the democratic
party, which is reflected by it's almost
unanimous preference for the presi-
dency in 1908 of the man who above
all others represents the American
ideal of "The man before the dollar"
While 1t is true that we have met in
this convention to nominate state
ticket, yet national affairs. because of
the congressional election, almost
overshadow all else, though in passing
/ desire to call your attention to some
of the things in our state could per
NIT of change, and justice and right
more nearly prevail.
The Judiciary.
In the courts of our state we must
go for the Interpretation of the laws
which protect our homes and our fam
personal privileges. This tribunal
SIiOulu DS SO COllSIlGuLGu Incl llO
f1uence, either seen or, unseen, should
deter the court from absolute impair
TALLY; that courts should if possible,
be removed from all political influence
or partisan spirit. 1t is a matter of
common knowledge with those who
have observed that the judiciary of the
state of Iowa is made the object of
ss--aahtical barter and many times the
Judge placed on the bench has no
)ther qualifications than his political
influence, or as the result of a political
rade Litigants and taxpayers pay
for his incompetency. This we do not
Jay in any disregard for our courts,
but as a criticism of the way they are
constituted. When we enter court
-oom we should be able to do so i'm
pressed with the thought that we are
entering into the presence of tribunal
of justice, and with a feeling that it's
decries, mandates and orders should
he obeyed with reverence and solemn
ity, but this cannot be SO when sitting
upon the bench is second rate law
A..