Iowa
Old Press
Jackson Sentinel
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
August 20, 1874
Anti-Monopoly Party Convention
The first regular convention of the Anti-Monopoly Party of
Jackson County at Andrew last Saturday, was the largest political
convention held in the county, whether Republican or Democratic,
no less than 123 ballots having been cast. It was chiefly
remarkable, however, for the fact it embraced all the hitherto
discordant elements of the opposition to the Republican Party.
First and foremost was the old guard of the Democratic Party, who
had carried the old flag to victory on many a hard fought field,
especially in the last county campaign; next the remains of the
“Farmers, Mechanics and Laborers’ Party,” which
supported the third ticket last fall, and lastly the handful of
Liberals who shook hands with the Democracy over the “bloody
chasm,” and bathed lovingly together in the great “tidal
wave” of 1872. Composed as it was, of such hitherto
antagonistic elements, it is surprising that so much harmony
should have existed throughout this convention, and argues well
for still greater victories than the Democracy unaided have
hitherto been able to secure.
The nominees of the convention are representatives of both
Democratic and Liberal Parties, and we believe it is not disputed
that they are both thoroughly qualified to perform all the duties
of the respective offices for which they have been nominated. Mr.
Guilfoil is a young man, a resident of Sabula, and by profession
a lawyer. Although but little known outside of his own section of
the country, yet he has the endorsement of his friends and
neighbors as being all that the party of Reform requires of its
candidates.
L. C. Franks, the nominee for Recorder, was for many years
identified with the Republican Party, and is a German by birth.
He has resided in Farmers Creek Township ever since he came to
this country, we believe, and has held several township offices.
We are not personally acquainted with him, but his own townsfolk
speak of him in the terms of the highest commendation. Having
always been identified with the temperance cause, in fact, being
now the presiding officer of a lodge of Good Templars in Fulton,
he should receive, as he deserves, the solid vote of the
Temperance Party in the county. In that event, his success is
assured.
The ticket is a good one, and should it receive the united vote
of the new party, of which there seems little room to doubt, it
cannot fail to be elected by a large majority.
[transcribed by K.W., August 2009]