Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-14

The democrats of the Sixth Congress
sional district assembled in conven-
tion at the Grand opera house this
morning at 1l:25 o'clock The attend
ance Of delegates at the convention
was unusually large and the lower
floor of the theatre was filled with
delegates and spectators. The conven-
ton was called to order by l.. S. Ken
nington of Newton. chairman of the
Sixth District Congressional commit
tee, who announced the temporary or
ganization. John W. Lewis of Ottum-
wa was introduced as temporary
chairman, and John r. Clark, of AL
bia, as temporary secretary.
John W. Lewis opened the conven-
ton with a stirring address in which
he outlined the issues on which The
coming campaign is to be fought an !
told of his belief. and gave his reasons
for holding it, that John f. Lacey, TIE
| republican candidate. would not be re-
turned to congress, no matter who the
nominee of the present convention
might be.
Mr.. Lewis said in part: 81 heard
! Sam Jones at the last chautauqua say
| biioh ~ UuSIlCl always Hltl a Scll
on tap, but though like a preacher in
many ways, I am not similar to them
in this, and as | was asked only a
few moments ago to act as temporary
chairman Of this convention, ! have
not been able to prepare an address.
we are at the threshold of cam
paign pregnant with significance to
| democrats. We are today called upon
to discharge what | consider to be a
patriotic duty. We are called upon
to select as a candidate, laying aside
all personal favoritism and preiudices
such an one as in our honest opinion
will be able to poll the most votes al
the election this fall. ] wish to fell
citate this convention upon the fact
that once again not only in the Sixth
district but in Iowa and the nation
democracy presents an undivided
front, this very fact presaging sweep
Ing and glorious victory Even the
most energetic standpatter will admi
that things don't look good to him. De
mocracy for the past several years
though out of office, has been leadins
in all the movements for reform. ant
a republican governor and republi
can president owe a large measure o
their popularity to the fact that they
have been jumping our claims.
Lauds Bryan.
I'VE are waiting now only for the re
turn of our peerless leader, who il
1908 we will hail as the president o
these United States for the return o
the great and grand and peerless lead
er. William Jennings Bryan. (Mentiol
OF Mr.. Bryan's name was met with up
roarious applause.)
i While the republicans are clutchius
4 at one another's threats, we once more
present an undivided front to the enc
my, and in this day we will be abb
to win from them great victory
while they are qualrsling.
In lieu Of a speech, | hope that
will be able this morning to make
come suggestion to you which win as
sist in the coming campaign. Wherh
err we nominate some of these yCun;
democrats who have been mentioned
Or that splendid old war horse whom
] need not name, ] am confident tina
the nominee, whoever he may be, vii
be the representative from this dis
i trict in the halls Of congress next fall
L will tell you why. We have be
! fore us problem of practical poll
tics. We have undertaken the sob c
retiring John r. Lacey from congress
in congress almost continuously fp
the past eighteen years. 1t is figl,
that his record should be presented t