Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-12-18
LOFTS JOHN RuDOLpH AsAssIx

then viii the advice of the Chronicle
be popular when carried out.
LOFTS JOHN RuDOLPH AGAssIx.
This most distinguished scicntlst OF
his day In this country, died at Bos-
ton, Mass, at half past ten o'clock p.
M, on last Sabbath, the I4th ints. He
was born near Neuchatel, in Switzer-
land, May 2Sth, 1907. His ancestors
were Hugncnots, and in the paternal
line had been clergymen for several
generations. He first attended school
at Bienne, in the Canton of Berne. for
a period of four years. He next at
tended college at Lausanne, where he
spent two years. From Lausanne he
went to Zurich to attend the medical
school there, he having chosen the pro-
fession of medicine. Next he went to
Heidelberg to pursue his medical
studies, Here he remained until the
fall Of 1927, when he removed to Mu-
mich and entered the university there.
Here he was associated with the fol-
lowing distinguished scholars, viz
Oxen, the zoologist; Martlus, the
botanist; Schilling, the philosopher
and Dollinger, the founder of modern
physiology. For four successive years
he remained here. While he was still
student at Munich, Martins and 9TH
ers made their tour of scientific ex-
plorations to Brazil. After their re.
turn, and upon the death of the natural.
ist Spix, Professor Agassiz was select.
ed by Martins to elaborate the ichthy-
illogical part of the work which they
were to publish of their explorations.
The accomplishment of this work in a
superior manner first brought fame to
the Professor. He then soon after
brought forth in Europe various valu-
able publications and contributions to
science, having abandoned the idea OF
following the profession of medicine.
He devoted seven years to researches
upon fossil fishes before commencing
his publication OF the same, finally
bringing out the work in 1874. He
came to this country in the autumn OF
lS46, landing at Boston. His first ap-
pcarance was in lectures upon the ami
NAL kingdom, which were listened to
by audiences numbering thousands
with always increasing zest. Since
that his pre-eminent scientific attain
ments have become familiar to the
school children of this day, and his
fame 10 upon the lips Of every one.
In lS47 Abbot Lawrence founded the
scientific school in Cambridge, Mass,
and Professor Agassiz was given the
Chair Of Zoology, and Geology. Re-
Gently he has been holding q contro-
versy with the Darwinians, in which
he was as closely pushed, we think, az
he ever was during his life. ftoslaF
The present situation on the back sal.
ary question is reference of it to the
committee, on the motion Of Mr.. Orth
Of Indiana, whereby the committee are
instructed to find an average of the
pay of Congressman Of the 4lst Con-
gress and report bill repeating the
grab and giving Congressman the
average sum so found, which, it is sup
posed, will equal about $4,000. Speak
ing Of this the Chicago Tribune says
!, AT this point tits proper to inquire
whether the people pay Congressman
5000 or 81 800 year for consuming
an entire week in an undigniGed dis
cussion oyer their own salaries. 1 d 81
It Is very hard indeed II satisfv
sHCn so-cAned independent organs.
The Tribune finds no fault with the
conclusion SO far arrived at, but now
that Congress is about to repeal the
salary bill and that in spite Of q large
majority of the Republican opposition
against it. the next thing the Tribune
finds to howl about is that a weeks
time Cor rather part of weeks time,
according to the facts) should be spent
in getting over three hundred men to
agree upon the terms. Any attempt
to please the Tribune by the dominant
party would be futile.
y u - 3 81. a. !,
SENATOR LOGAN, of Illinois, has in
troduced into the Senate bill for the
relief of the judicial difficulties among
the Mormons in Utah, that w;ll soon
settle the Mormon question If passed
and enforced. Under the constitution
Of the country we are aware the re-
ligious views Of citizens cannot be In
terfered with. This is as it should be.
But while the provision is right, II
does not include indemnity to their
keeping harem or the practice Of any
other thing destructive to or preiudi-
cial TO public morals.
The fact il, there is no excuse for
permitting to exist up to this time the
/ state Of society in vogue among Nor.
mons. 1t is . disgrace to the country,
and especially to the law making pow.
er. 1t is further disgrace that a poly.
gamist should occupy seat on the
floor Of Congress.
| We hope this Congress will not fail
to make thorough efforts toward blot.
ting out this stigma.
Patrons of Iowa, and such others a
are disposed to use the channels oper
to them through our organization fol
the relief Of the sufferers Of Northwest
ern Iowa, are hereby notified that Thu
committee appointed BY The State
Grange, win IT once visit the devasta