Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-18
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of tt
Convention.

Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen of the
Convention:
Another chapter in our national his
tory under Republican administration
Is soon to be concluded, and conform
ing to party usage long established
this convention of $50 delegates and
their alternates, chosen ty the Repub
lican electorate from every state and
territory within the confines of the
republic, meets in this high council to
submit the record of it's achievements
TO the critical review of the American
people and make fresh avowal of its
faith in the principles and policies Of
the Republican party.
The trainers of the federal consti-
tuition wisely provided that all govern
mental power should be lodged with
and retained by the people, and that
their chosen representatives selected
to administer the affairs of govern
ment should be vested with only q
limited tenure of official life, and at
regular and stated periods render an
account of their stewardship to their
rightful sovereign, to the end that the
administration of public affairs,
through the instrumentality of ind;-
viduals and parties, should at all
times conform to and reflect the dom
inant judgment of the American peo
pie.
To this end the constitutional term
of the executives office is limited to
four years, the senatorial to six with
a third of its membership subject to
change every two years, while the
service of members of the national
house of representatives, the imnnedi-
ate and direct sponsors of the people,
is restricted to the brief period of two
years. Thus in this free representa-
tive government all power over Off
Gals, parties and policies rests at all
times with the supreme electorate,
confirming the declaration of Abra-
ham Lincoln that this is in fact
government of the people, by the
people, and for the people"
Election Of Transcendent Importance.
In the approaching election, presi-
aent and vice president of the United
States, a full membership of the house
of representatives, consisting of 1913
members and delegates, and 80 United
States senators from as many differ
ent states are to be chosen. The re-
suit, involving as it does the control
Of both the executive and legislative
branches of the national government,
with the opportunity for a change Of
parties and policies, is of transcendent
Importance and far-reaching conse-
quences, involving the states and the
nation.
Four years ago the Republican party
In national convention submitted the
record of its achievements to the
American people, announced it's pol
icies for the future, and, invoking con-
tinuance of public favor, placed in
nomination for the Office of president
and vice president of the United
States, Theodore Roosevelt and
Charles w. Fairbanks, who were
elected and the. platform approved by
a popular vote of 7,623,4S5, a record
unexampled in the history of political
parties since the foundation Of the
government, receiving the indorse-
ment of 80 states out of the As, with
but 10 in opposition.
In view of this Endorsement, it be-
comes pertinent and opportune to in
quire, What has the Republican party
done in the last four years of govern
mental control-in many respects the
most remarkable and brilliant in the
history of the party and the country
Ito forfeit public confidence or create
distrust in its capacity for future ad-
ministration? Although some unto
ward and unforeseen conditions have
beset the republic during the last
four years, yet these have been met
and overcome with alacrity and corr.
age, and the country has marched
steadily onward in its matchless
course of Industrial triumphs. The
wise and beneflcent legislation of the
Republican party during the long
years of its ascendency and admins
foundation for the public veal so Sc
cuIely that no disquieting condition,
not even temporary panic, which
necessarily touches the handspring OF
all Industrial life, could arrest the
country's resistless advance
Population Is Now s7,5oo,ooo
Since the last national Republican
convention, four years ago, our popn.
lation has increased from S15O0,OOO
to S7,500,O00, while 100000 of immi-
grants from every quarter of the glope
nave TOuQQ welcome TO our shores and
protection under our flag.
During the last four years our fiocks
and herds have increased in value
from $685. 100000 to $4,331 900, 900.
The value of our farm products from
$5,917 100000 to $7,412000,O 900.
The output of coal from $314,0OO, 900
to s420,000,000
Our product of gold from $4,000, 900
to $90,000,0o0.
The accumulation in savings banks
of $2,815 100000 in 1908 was augment
ed to $3,495, 100000 in 1907.
The deposits in all banks in 1908,
aggregating s9.ov3, 100000 reached the
fabulous sum of $4,000, 100000 in 1907
an increase of $3,546,000,000 in four
years.
Two millions of spindles in our cot.
ton mills were added, and the domes-
tic cotton used in our factories in 1907
amounted to over 100000 bales, as
against 3,924,000 bales in 1903.
The importations of raw silk to sup.
ply our mills increased from a little
over 100000 pounds in 1908 to near