Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/87

 years State Lecturer, and through his work and influence there were more local Granges established in Iowa than in any other State.

The two principal political parties found it necessary to incorporate in their platforms a recognition and indorsement of the demand made by the farmers through the Grange movement for the Legislative control of railroads and the establishment by law of reasonable charges for transportation.

On the 25th of June, 1873, the State Convention of the Republican party was held at Des Moines, and in its platform gave special attention to the demands of the farmers in relation to the transportation problems. It declared for the protection by law of the interests of the people in the granting of all franchises by legislation. The third resolution was as follows:

Another resolution denounced the political corruptions of public officials recently exposed by congressional investigations in relation to the “Credit-Mobilier” and official misconduct, and the punishment of unfaithful public men. The sixth resolution condemned the “back-pay steal” of Congress, denounced all members who voted for or received the money thus appropriated and demanded the repeal of the act. The last resolution expressed a desire for political reform and honesty, purity and economy in all official administration and declared it the duty of every Republican to oppose the election of a bad or