In the three decades before the Cowles family acquired the '' Register '' in 1903 , the '' Register '' was a " voice of pragmatic conservatism . " However , Gardner Cowles Sr. , who served as a Republican in the Iowa General Assembly and was a delegate to the 1916 Republican National Convention , was an advocate of progressive Republicanism . The new owners presented a variety of viewpoints , including Darling cartoons that frequently made fun of progressive politicians
1916 Republican National Convention
1916 Republican National Convention
The Des Moines Register