Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/100

 was held at Des Moines on the 24th day of June, 1875, at which the following candidates were nominated:  Shepherd Leffler for Governor; E. B. Woodward, Lieutenant-Governor; W. J. Knight, Judge of the Supreme Court, and Isaac Doan, Superintendent of Public Instruction. The platform was substantially in accord with the former declarations of the two parties since the formation of their alliance against the Republicans.

The Republican State Convention was held at Des Moines on the 30th of June and was composed of six hundred and forty delegates. There was an animated contest between those who were in favor of a positive indorsement of the prohibitory liquor law and those who were opposed to such a declaration, The prominent candidates for Governor were Hon. John Russell of Jones County, late Auditor of Stare, and General James B. Weaver of Davis County, a distinguished officer in the Civil War and a radical advocate of the prohibitory liquor law. The radical prohibitionists united in the support of General Weaver while those who opposed making prohibition a part of the platform for the most part supported Mr. Russell. John H. Gear, Robert Smyth and W. B. Fairfield were also candidates and each had warm supporters. But before the roll was called it became evident that the contest was narrowing down to a choice between Russell and Weaver. The names of the candidates had been presented and a ballot about to be taken when, by preconcerted agreement among some of the leaders, Dr. S. M. Ballard, a veteran white haired Republican of imposing form arose, and, in a powerful voice that penetrated every part of the assembly, nominated Samuel J. Kirkwood, the “Old War Governor.” The vast audience responded with wild applause. General Trumbull of Dubuque arose and inquired by what authority Governor Kirkwood was nominated. Dr. Ballard responded in stentorian voice: “By authority of the great Republican Party of Iowa.”  John Russell arose and declined to be a candidate against