Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/117

 G. Newbold who entered upon the discharge of the duties on the 1st of February.

The Republican State Convention met at Des Moines on the 28th of June, 1877, and nominated John H. Gear for Governor; Frank T. Campbell for Lieutenant-Governor; James G. Day for Judge of the Supreme Court, and C. W. Van Coelln for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Among the declarations of special interest made in the platform were the following:

“We declare it to be the solemn obligation of the legislative and executive departments of the Government to put into immediate and vigorous exercise all of their constitutional powers for the removal of any just cause of discontent on part of any class and for securing to every American citizen complete liberty and exact equality in the exercise of all civil, political and public rights. To this end we imperatively demand of Congress and the Chief Executive a courage and fidelity to these duties which shall not falter until their results are placed beyond dispute or recall.

The silver dollar having been the legal unit of value from the foundation of the Government until 1873, the law under which its coinage was suspended should be repealed at the earliest possible day and silver made with gold a legal tender for the payment of all debts, both public and private. We also believe that the present volume of the legal tender currency should be maintained until the wants of trade and commerce demand its further contraction.

We favor a wisely adjusted tariff for revenue.

We are in favor of the rigid enforcement of our present prohibitory liquor law and any amendment thereto that shall render its provisions more effective in the suppression of intemperance.”

A resolution expressing confidence in the ability and integrity of President Hayes and approving of his southern policy, was defeated.

The noticeable action of this convention was strong opposition to the President’s conciliatory policy in dealing with the late Confederate States, especially Louisiana. The election for Governor in that State at the time of the Presidential election had resulted in the choice of the Hayes electors by a majority of 3,931, Stephen B. Packard the Republican candidate for Governor received a majority of 3,426 at the same election. The Democrats claimed