Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-21
THE CONVENTION WAS
MARKED BY HARMONY
FRED TOWNSEND OF ALBA WAS
TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN; DELE
GATES PRESENT FAVOR NON
PARTISAN JUDICIARY.

Hon. ]. J. Smith of Ottumwa, L. T
Richmond of. Abba, G. w. Stewart Of
Charlton and Robert r. McBeth of Keo
sauqua are the unanimous choice Of
the democrats of the second judicial
district as their candidate for judges
of the district court in this district
The convention was held in the small
court room at the court house this
afternoon, and was attended by fifty
delegates and visitors. Ernest r. Nit
chell, chairman OF the second judicial
district, called the meeting to order
and Fred Townsend Of Abba was
named temporary chairman. In his re-
marks Mr.. Townsend stated that ne
was in favor of a non-partisan jul
dietary and thought that the time was
not far off when the judges of Iowa
would be selected on their merits, re-
gardless of their political beliefs. He
declared that he was proud to be an
Iowa democrat and stand up for demo
cratic principles. He named former
jurists, members of the democratic
faith, who had capably served as
judges in the second district.
Theodore Perry, Jr., OF Abba, was
chosen temporary secretary. The com
mittees on temporary organization,
resolutions and credentials, were dis.
pensed with. and the convention pro-
ceeded at once to business. On roll
call OF counties, all were shown to be
represented. The counties were then
called to vote for four nominees for
Judges. Wapello, Monroe, Van Buren,
and Lucas counties were the only ones
having delegates. County Attorney D.
w. Bates of Monroe county moved that
as there were only four candidates in
the field, and only four places that the
quartet be nominated by acclamation,
which passed without a dissenting
vote.
The successful candidates were call
ed upon and gave short addresses. l..
II. Richmond was the first to respond
and asserted that he expected to be in
the front at the November election. He
was in favor of cutting down court
expenses and favored a non partisan
judiciary. With four democratic judges
elected next fall he said that the nom
partisan judiciary would be brought a
step nearer. J. J. Smith following Mr..
Richmond expressed the same senti-
ments as Mr.. Richmond. Mr.. Stewart
of Charlton. Lucas cOunty's successful
CanQIQaCS LlSH ctuuTcSSSu IHc UOuy.s I1S
was also in favor OF non-partisan
judiciary and lower court costs. Mr.
Stewart declared that he had not been
advised on the subject but a striking
example of court costs was shown In
the adjoining room, meaning the
Mayor Phillips custer proceedings. He
declared that the republican candidate
for attorney general was trying to get
a feather in his cap by prosecuting
Mayor Phillips.
Robert McBeth, the other democratic
candidate, was not present and Mr..
Hastings Of the Van Buren, county
delegation arose and declared that the
convention had made no mistake in
selecting Mr.. McBeth.
After the addresses on motion OF
Senator E. G. Moon, each delegation
was asked to hand in their committee
men Those elected We're given the
power to name committeeman for APP
panoose and Jefferson counties which
had none. The convention then came to
close