Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/258

 man in the party. When the old time leaders determined to defeat the nomination of this independent and aggressive new leader who was steadily gaining strength, Mr. Cummins in a public speech in Des Moines, threw down the gauntlet and boldly declared his purpose to become a candidate for Governor without the consent of the time-honored chieftains. Then began the most notable contest within the Republican party since the famous Harlan-Allison senatorial campaign of thirty years before. Every county in the State was fought for most vigorously by the contending wings of the party and almost every Republican in its limits was drawn into the conflict before the State Convention assembled. The former leaders were for some time unsettled as to the choice of a candidate who could be reasonably expected to unite all elements of opposition to Mr. Cummins and overcome the strong tide which was evidently turning towards the new leader.

It was finally determined to rally all of the opposition upon Major Edwin H. Conger, the American Minister to China, who had recently won world-wide fame in the defense of Pekin against the Boxers. He was communicated with and announced his willingness to become a candidate for Governor. He was on his way home and a special train was chartered to meet him at Council Bluffs and extend to him a royal welcome. Governor Shaw and other State officials gave Minister Conger an enthusiastic reception as he entered Iowa and escorted him to the Capital where thousands greeted his safe return with high honors. But when the county conventions were held for the selection of delegates to the State Convention which would nominate the candidate for Governor, Mr. Cummins carried a majority of the counties in the home district of the two candidates. No artifice could alienate the mass of his enthusiastic supporters and, although desperate efforts were made by the leaders to unite and concentrate all elements of opposition against Mr Cummins, when the Convention assembled at Cedar Rapids on the 7th of August, with