Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/411



Whigs was regarded as the most important victory of all for the Free Soil cause. Mr. Harlan was the most radical Antislavery candidate presented to the Legislature and, although the opposition had finally resorted to revolutionary methods to prevent his election, he had received the votes of a majority of all of the members of the General Assembly.

A strong movement had been organized in the State by the friends of temperance for the enactment of a law prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquor. The State Temperance Alliance had delegated to Hiram Price, D. S. True and John L. Davies the preparation of a bill to be presented to the Legislature, similar to the “Maine Liquor Law.” The bill was drafted with great care and sent to Dr. Amos Witter, a Democratic Representative from Scott County, who, on the 13th of December, 1854, introduced it into the House. It met with most determined opposition at every stage of progress, but finally passed both houses and was approved by Governor Grimes. One of its provisions required the act to be submitted to a vote of the people at the following April election. The vote stood 25,555 for the law, to 22,645 against. Having thus been adopted by a majority of 2,910, it went into effect on the First of July following. The act prohibited the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors, excepting for mechanical or medical purposes. The penalties were fine and imprisonment. With some amendment and modifications this law remained upon the statute books for more than forty years.

The Democratic State Convention was held at Iowa City, January 24, 1855 and nominated the following candidates: Commissioner of River Improvement, O. D. Tisdale; Register, Wm. Dewey; Register State Land Office, S. H. Samuels. The Whig Convention, held at the same place on the following day, nominated the following ticket: Commissioner of River Improvement, Wm. McKay; Register, J. C. Lockwood; Register Land Office,