Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/164

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est ever held by the party. The opening speech of the president, Hon. John A. Kasson, in which he declared that “the Republican party in this contest would not take the side of the saloon” clearly indicated the temper of the convention on the absorbing issue. There was no opposition to the renomination of Governor Sherman and Lieutenant-Governor Manning; J. R. Reed was nominated on the second ballot for Supreme Judge over Judge Day, who was vigorously opposed by the prohibition delegates owing to his action on the prohibitory amendment, uniting with the majority of the Court in declaring the amendment void. J. W. Akers was nominated for Superintendent of Public Instruction. On the subject of prohibition the convention declared:

“Without making any new test of party fealty we recognize the moral and political obligation which requires the enactment of such laws by the next General Assembly as shall provide for the establishment and enforcement of the principle and policy affirmed by the people at the non-partisan election and to this end the faith of the party is pledged.

“That while we extend our earnest sympathy to the people of all countries who are struggling for their rights, in opposition to oppressive laws and systems, we also plant ourselves on the side of the homes of our own people in their contest against the saloons.”

The fifth resolution made a clear declaration on another issue which had become prominent in many other States of the Union which was as follows:

“The General Assembly at its next session, should enact a law prohibiting the giving to or receiving by public officers any railway pass during their term of office and the same should be enforced by proper penalties both against the giver and receiver.”

The Greenback State Convention met at Des Moines on the 11th of July, 1883, and, by unanimous vote nominated General J. B. Weaver for Governor. Sanford Kirkpatrick was nominated for Lieutenant-Governor; D. W. Church for Supreme Judge; and Abbie O. Canfield for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Among the resolutions adopted were the following: