Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-01-23
PL. EDGE STRENGTH
TO one TICKET
CITIZENS SUPPORTERS AND RE.
PUBLlcANs AGREE TO NoMI-
NATE STRONG MEN.
FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
Enthusiastic Meeting Last Night Re-
suits in United Efforts for Elec-
ton of Candidates OF Non
partisan Movement.

Actuated only by the desire to place
in the field this spring ticket that
would cope with the strength of the
opposition with more assurance of sue
cess than was possible with three
parties, the Citizens and Republican
forces met on common ground in the
Y. M. G. A. auditorium last night and
with but two dissenting voices voted
to abandon the Citizens ticket and
crystalline their united strength on a
Citizen-Republican ticket to be known
as a Republican ticket AS explained
by Chairman S. H. Harper the meet
ing was called for the purpose of
reaching some harmonious agreement
between the Citizens supporters and
the Republicans and to decide upon
what course to pursue in supplying
| the vacancies on the Citizens ticket
caused through the withdrawal Of sew
eral candidates. A resolution was
adopted wherein a pledge was made
to have Republican platform built up
on the principles of law enforcement
and a similar resolution was carried in
which the Citizens candidates were en-
dorsed by the Republican party, and
a unanimous pledge was made by the
Republicans present to work for the
nomination and ultimate success of
the Citizens candidates who have not
declined to run With one exception
the many Democrats present fully
realized that the merging of both par
ties would result in greater strength
at the polls, and so expressed them
selves. That all were in favor of law
enforcement no matter through what
avenue it comes, was echoed in the
several short talks made.
Capt. Hutchinson Talks.
Chairman Harper opened the meet.
ing at 1925 o'clock, and after explain
ing the purpose of the session, called
Capt. ]. G. Hutchinson as the first
speaker. Following his reference to
the sentiment in the Republican party
for a good strong law enforcement
ticket, Captain Hutchinson began an
explanation of the real battle which
was scheduled for this spring. ut is
not question Of politics If the citi-
zens are enthusiastic on the real OBJ
ject of the campaign" said he. u
realize that Republican ticket would
be officered by some of our best citi
zens who would strictly enforce the
laws and on a platform that is against
the wide open city After thoroughly
considering the situation, l have con.
cluded that it is useless for us in the
Citizens movement to stand out against
the Republican party and the Demo
cratic party and butt our brains ou:
a., CT CTR
not here to help the Republican party
neither am | here to help the Citizens
but only to help bring about the goal
of this Citizens movement. which you
all know is the strict enforcement OF
/ all laws, civic righteousness and every
thing opposite to an open town. Yo.
know, gentlemen, l have been activs
for the past several months in this
movement to bring about bettermen
of our city government, and at this
time fully realize if we go on witt
! this Citizens party. with the assur
ance that there will be Republican
ticket in the field, that we and ou
principles are beaten The Republican
party will pledge themselves to worl
for our candidates and its platform
will be ours in every word.
| Il believe it is to our advantage t.
: merge with the forces and go in Thu
spring with vim and energy to wip
, out the deplorable condition that unde
, the present administration exists i
r our city All the Democrats on on
ticket, except one, have refused an
we have no power to replace then
with other men. | want to say to tn
). Democrat partisans in this movemen
. that we want to be fair. We want t
stand by them and we want them t.
stand by us to see success this spring
1t is no use to pursue a stand If w
reach only folly in the end. We knoy
: that the state of affairs now in GU
city is such that a warrant for the al
rest of saloon man. gambler ,
1 some one connected with a house c
i'll fame can not be served with SUE
f cess, because the officers will not er
' force the law. | want to see this COZ
: dition wiped out, and if the Repub:
; can can do it. and they pledge then
). selves to endeavor along that line,
|, want to help. My heart is set on SCI
e ing this city redeemed from the wild
t open saloon, the wide open gamblin
and the wide open house Of i'll fam'
, and urge every honest minded cit
h zen here to join with me in bringin
e about this redemption"
Resolutions Introduced.
o City Chairman E. H. Emery followe
: Mr.. Hutchinson with the introductio
e of the following resolution settin
: forth what the Republican party
pledged to do:
If "Resolved, That the Republi-
lie cans in this meeting called by
e their desire and by other consid-
n erations, adopt as a platform and
pledge that the ticket Of the Re-
~ publican party in our city in the
% coming spring election shall stand
lie for higher standard of city gov
= eminent than now prevails and
that said party will insist on the
VI enforcement of laws, especially
"a laws enacted against the illegal
"a sale of intoxicating liquors.;
m against gambling and against
III houses of ilfame; that there shall
be strict management of all finan-
cal affairs Of the city and a careful
action on all proper means to keep
m down the, unreasonable advance
L., ha ia of fa~oStoo