Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-18
Organization Leaders Meet
at Cedar Rapids; Many
Candidates Present
PRIMARY LAW is
REGARDED AS JOKE
Sentiment Favorable to the
Repeal Of Statute Very
Apparent at Meet

Cedar Rapids, May 17.-Candidates
for governor, Jess Willard, heavy
weight champion, and herd of ele-
plants today figured in the prelimin-
aries to the first state republican con-
vention, held here for the purpose Of
ratifying the choice of delegates to the
national republican convention, made
at the presidential preference primar-
les April 10.
A crowd estimated at 5000 came to
Cedar Rapids today, some Of them to
attend the convention, but most Of
them, even political leaders admitted.
were more interested in the circus,
which arrived simultaneously with the
delegates.
At preconventior meetings and eau
causes last night, enthusiasm for the
candidacy Of Albert B. Cummins for
the presidency of the United States
was most marked. It was said that
little choice has been observed in the
matter of gubernatorial candidates
and that probably nothing which might
be taken as an endorsement for any
of the candidates will be done by the
convention.
No Contests Waaed.
No contests developed in the district
caucuses which were concluded just
prior to the opening of the convention.
The work Of organization of the con-
vention was completed within few
minutes and Temporary Chairman
Clark was given great ovation when
he arose to deliver his keynote speech.
The convention late this afternoon
is expected to 80 On record as favor
ing &astfong protective tariff plank in
the national party platform. The en-
dorsement of Senator Cummins' can
didacy was considered certain. Lead
ers planned also to introduce resolu-
tion, endorsing the stand taken by
Iowa representatives in congress on
preparedness legislation.
Prohibition questions were tabooed
at district and headquarters confer.
ences today. The liquor question, it
Official consideration by the delegates.
Political "dopesters" professed to
see In the attitude of delegates near
ly unanimous sentiment for the repeal
Of the law providing for presidential
preference primary.
Talk Big Issues.
National issues, including prepared
ness and the protective tariff and in
terest in the anteprimary campaigns
of the various gubernatorial candi.
dates, Overshadowed other considera-
tions. The delegates followed closely
the precedent set by the democrats at
Clinton recently when state issues
were to large extent ignored in the
intense interest displayed in planks
which are expected to make up the
structure of the national platform.
While general tone Of optimism
marked the attitude of the majority Of
the delegates, especially following the
delivery Of the keynote speech by How
ard j. Clark of Des Moines, there was
a marked absence of the old time en-
thusiasm which marked conventions In
the old days of republican dominion.
The contest for governor was Of
great unofficial interest Each of the
aspirants maintained head
quarters here and each professed con-
fldence in the outcome of the primary
as far as his candidacy was concerned.
1t was only at these headquarters that
state issues were under discussion and
even there a marked reluctance in the
matter Of prohibition, suffrage and
good roadside predominant ques-
tions of the campaign-was noted
Reports Of convention committees
took up most Of the afternoon session
and number of extemporaneous
speeches by delegates were scheduled.
Following are some of the important
49, s,,%, %o 1fok kn1 h1y1 ixs
tricts:
First district-Ch Chairman Arthur
Springer, Wapello; resolutions COM
mittee, La Monte Cowles, Burlington;
permanent organization, F. M. Mols-
berry, Columbus Junction; credentials,
Gilbert Lee, Ft Madison.
Second district Chairman G. H.
Murphy, Davenport; credentials, j. G.
Campbell, Maquoketa; resolutions, w.
E. Hayes, Clinton county; permanent
L. G. Shaver, Johnson
county.
, Third district-Chairman N. w. Bee
be, Franklin county; credentials, W. A,
Abbott, Franklin county; permanent
G.. A. Mcintyre, Butler
county; resolutions, F. S. Rath, Hard
Ing county.
Sixth district-Eli Dodson, Jasper;
G. M. Fuhrmeister, Keo.
|xuk county; credentials, George A.
Woodson, Monroe; organization, J. w.
Burke, Jasper county.
BLACkMAILERS HELD.
Quincy, ILL.,, May 17.-Leonard Schan-
On and Minnie Payne were arrested
here today on a charge of having
number Of Quincy citi-
zens.