Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-02-18

But two contests marked the repub-
lican state convention held at Grand
Rapids Friday and these were decided
by good msjorities. though Henry W..
Carey of Manistee. gave George p.
.Codd of Detroit. close run for regent
As is usual in all republican contests.
however. everybody joined hands after
the fight was over and wished the
winners well.
Charm an William NJ. Smith of ST.
Johns, told some very plain facts in
his speech, which caused more than a
little comment among the delegates.
The resolutions pledged the party to
a continuance of republican policies.
though they might seem to advocate
the taking of 10 forward step in direct
nominations. However. propositions
to take backward step were voted
down in the committee on resolutions
and did NOT come before the house.
The convention was opened about
IL :3O bv State Chairman Diekema,
Rev. Dr. Hancock offered prayer. and
Mr.. Diekema called Temporary
Chairman Smith to the chair.
Mr.. Smith spoke III part as follows
1t was not the brilliant history or
the splendid achievements of the Re-
publican party that brought to the ma
tional ticket in this state in the cleo
tion of last November the magnificent
plurality of $50. 900 votes. 1t was the
belief of the rank and file of the citi-
zendship of the country that the repub-
lican party Is graphing with the many
problems of the present day In the in
terest of the people as a whole, under
the leadership of the strongest force
for righteousnfss in the civilized world
today, the present president of tn e
United States, Theodore Roosevelt. and
their belief THAI the work so ably in
itiated and carried on during his ad-
ministration will not be abandoned.
neglected or laid aside. but will be Wig
orously, systematically and honestly
continued and extended under the di-
rection of President-elect William IL.
Taft.
The present is a formative period
of our history. The republican party
must look for it's future success. not
upon what it has accomplished. but
what it will accomplish in the inter
ests of the peoDle. We are made aware
of new birth of moral earnestness
not unlike the qickening of the public
conscience out of which the republican
party was born.
IL is as though the spirit of Abra-
ham Lincolri ware being reincarpated
in our citizenship; and all the forces
which initiate against the welfare of
the people as whole were being
brought to trial before the bar of pub :
lie opinion. And during that time the
union of a strenuous president and a
punctilious congress. loving each
other not too well. but with prudent
wisdom. has resulted in the legisla-
tive birth and growth of many i'm
portant and powerful guiding prin-
Giles of government
And the election of William How
ard Taft is guarantee that the nation
viii during the next four wears con-
time TO move forward without loss
OF speed IN the path which for the last
few wears she has been learning to
tread
Great questions are now pressin &
upon the national government for set
Element. worthy Of the best efforts of
the strongest men of the party. and
these questions must he met and set
tied by the party il il is to perman-
emily retain the confidence of the
people.
Discussing state affairs. Mr.. Smith
declared the electors are demanding
cleaner politics but whether the new
plan of direct nominstion IL destined
70 produce hotter officials than tn
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