Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/101

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ernor Kirkwood. John H. Gear followed, also declining to be a candidate against the “Old War Governor.” It was known to some delegates that Governor Kirkwood had sent word to a friend in the convention that he would not be a candidate. But it was to no avail, the leaders were determined that he should be nominated. In the midst of intense excitement the roll was called with the following result: Kirkwood, two hundred thirty-eight; Weaver, two hundred; Smyth, one hundred eleven; Fairfield, thirty-three. Before another ballot was completed so many votes were changed to Kirkwood that his nomination was made unanimous. Joshua G. Newbold of Henry County was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor; Austin Adams of Dubuque for Supreme Judge, and Alonzo Abernethy was renominated for Superintendent of Public Instruction. The resolutions presented no new issues; the convention defeated an attempt to commit the party to prohibition.

The State Convention of the temperance organizations of Iowa was in session at the time the Republican Convention assembled and earnest efforts were made by its delegates to secure from the Republicans an indorsement of the prohibitory liquor law but without success. The Temperance Convention thereupon adopted the following platform:

“Whereas existing political parties have ignored prohibition:

“Resolved, That the temperance people of Iowa are forced to seek promotion of their cause in such a way as will be most effective without regard to parties; that the law of the State relating to the desecration of the Sabbath should be rigidly enforced; that there shall be no diversion of the school fund for sectarian purposes; that political organizations shall not control men in their action on moral questions; that county organizations be formed to elect temperance men to the Legislature.”

Rev. John H. Lozier was nominated for Governor by the State Central Committee consisting of one member from each Congressional District.

After a spirited campaign the election resulted in the