The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-05-24
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

The republican state convention at
Cedar Rapids was well attended. in
view of the :fact that there was little
business to be transacted The deel-
gates to the national convention had
been selected at the primary and about
the only thing to be done was the
adoption of platform and it was
thought not advisable to undertake to
forestall the action OF the national con.
vention, but to wait and let that body
announce the policies of the party for
the presidential campaign, consequent
~ the platform was brief and confined
largely to eulogy on Senator Cum.
minis.
The address of Howard Clakr, the
temporary chairman. was listened to
with considerable interest by the del.
egates I'm view of the fact that it was
regarded as something of keynote
speech. The speech ;arralgned the
democratic party for its failure dur.
ing the Wilson administration as well
as at other times when it has been in
control of the affairs of the govern.
ment. 1t eulogized the republican
party for its splendid record in the
past and the prosperity which it
brought to the country when in power.
The speaker advocated policy of
harmony in the republican party and
predicted victory in November He
took strong ground In favor OF pre-
paredness and found an enthusiastic
response on the part of the delegates.
He favored equal suffrage, which
seemed to please portion OF the del
egates. He gave Senator Cummins
great praise for his public service and
stated that he was entitled to much
Of the credit for the primary law which
we have upon the statute books This
declaration of the speaker did not
create any enthusiasm and we doubt
if it added anything to the reputation
Of Senator Cummins. The truth Is
the sentiment of both political parties
in Iowa is against the primary law
and il an unbiased expression could
state, we have no doubt but what it
would be against the primary law and
in favor of its early repeal. While
the speaker said everything he could
command in praise of Senator Cum
Minis public career, there was not
iceable lack OF enthusiasm on. the part
of the convention.
The sensational feature of the con-
ventiOn was the address of Robert
Healy, of FIT. Dodge, delegate Sc
lected at the primary to the national
convention. We do not know just
what prompted him to make the
speech; whether 1t was to stampede
the convention in favor of Roosevelt
or to frankly state his position before
the republicans of Iowa, as to his
choice for president. Whatever his
motive, it did not result in bringing
favorable criticism for the speaker.
We think however the newspapers
have grossly exaggerated the censure
which followed his address. There is
no truth in the fact that he was Kissed
from the rostrum or prevented FROM
finishing his remarks, because 1t was
not definitely known for whom he in
tended to declare himself until he ut.
tered the last sentence Of his ad-
dress and started to leave the stage.
After he concluded his remarks there'
was some demonstration of disapprov !
al, but nothing in marked degree al.
though general feeling prevailed that
he had made mistake.
The four candidates for governor
weer in attendance at the convention
and each one addressed the conven
ton and presented his claims from his
own standpoint The speeches were all
good and enjoyed by the convention
and everyone, after hearing the
speeches, felt that the next governor
Of Iowa, if either one of the four
should be selected, will be well equip
ped for the Office.
Mr.. Kuehnle's address was the last
one delivered as the candidates were
called in alphabetical order. The dele
gates were delighted with his effort
and felt that he had sustained himself