years State Lecturer, and through his work and influence there were more local Granges established in Iowa than in any other State.
The two principal political parties found it necessary to incorporate in their platforms a recognition and indorsement of the demand made by the farmers through the Grange movement for the Legislative control of railroads and the establishment by law of reasonable charges for transportation.
On the 25th of June, 1873, the State Convention of the Republican party was held at Des Moines, and in its platform gave special attention to the demands of the farmers in relation to the transportation problems. It declared for the protection by law of the interests of the people in the granting of all franchises by legislation. The third resolution was as follows:
Resolved: that the producing, commercial and industrial interests of the country should have the best and cheapest modes of transportation possible and, while actual capital invested in such means of transit, whether by railroad or otherwise should be permitted the right of reasonable remuneration, any abuse in their management, excessive rates, oppressive discriminations against localities, persons, or interests, should be corrected by law and we demand Congressional and Legislative enactments that will control and regulate the railroads of the country and give to the people fair rates of transportation and protect them against existing abuses.
Another resolution denounced the political corruptions of public officials recently exposed by congressional investigations in relation to the “Credit-Mobilier” and official misconduct, and the punishment of unfaithful public men. The sixth resolution condemned the “back-pay steal” of Congress, denounced all members who voted for or received the money thus appropriated and demanded the repeal of the act. The last resolution expressed a desire for political reform and honesty, purity and economy in all official administration and declared it the duty of every Republican to oppose the election of a bad or in-
