Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/224

 persons who seemed to believe that by marching to Washington they could procure some legislation for the relief of those willing to work who could find no one to employ them.

Kelly’s army when in Des Moines numbered 1,118 men, and remained in camp in the eastern part of the city about three weeks. It was unable to procure transportation from any of the railroads and finally, by the aid of the citizens, procured lumber, constructed flatboats and descended the Des Moines River finally reaching Washington. Similar armies were also on the way to the National Capitol, some of which reached the city, while others became discouraged by the difficulties of procuring subsistence and transportation and disbanded. Altogether these armies numbered in the aggregate about 7,500 men. While this unique movement did not bring about any direct legislation by Congress for relief, it called the attention of the entire country to the vast number of unemployed men and the necessity of providing work to enable them to earn a livelihood.

The Prohibition party met in State Convention at Des Moines on the 27th of June, 1894, and made the following nominations: for Secretary of State, B. M. Mitchell; Auditor, C. H. Gordon; Treasurer, Mrs. A. E. McMurray; Supreme Judge, J. W. Rogers; Attorney-General, W. A. Maginnis; Clerk Supreme Court, M. A. Atwood; Reporter, Mrs. M. H. Dunham; Railway Commissioner, Malcom Smith. The resolutions reaffirmed former declarations of the party and condemned the “mulct law” as an outrage upon the moral citizenship of the State.

The Republican State Convention was held at Des Moines on the 25th of July and made the following nominations: Secretary of State, W. M. McFarland; Auditor, C. G. McCarthy; Treasurer, John Herriott; Supreme Judges, C. T. Granger and H. E. Deemer (to fill a vacancy); Attorney-General, Milton Remley; Clerk Supreme Court, C. T. Jones; Reporter, B. I. Salinger; Railway