davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23
lasle Re eMsleMt C0MveMti0M in
IllfnOiA.

DECATUR. Ills. Feb. l6.-rhe indc-
pendent Reform State Convention rs
scnbled in the opera house here nj
10 o'clock thi. morning. and was
called 10 order hy James Allen. of
Crawford, Prayer was offered by
Rev. Mr.. Ingman. Of Decatur. !. VI.
Curry. of Dekalh. was chosen tenn
porary chairman. Temporary secre-
tarvs i. B. Ricks. of Christian. county.
and !. Given ot Eilingham. 4 com.
miitce on credentials and resolutions
aud on permanent organization We're
appointed and The convention per-
mnncutly organized by the selection
Of Hon. w. Z. Flag. "f More. ~
President. !. +. Cherry. Wee Prcsi-
dent. and Gamcr>on Rick- and Given
>ecrctary,. adjourned ill afternoon,
Upon rc.s-emhlin.. ih. roll OF
con.rr>>ion districts wa- called, and
the follow ing state Ccptral COM
mittcr chosen: First district. James
Springer. Chicago: I'll district \. q.
Camrr>"n. Chicago Bird district !. q,
Barrett. Lake Co; lth district Henry
Chapman. Kane to: 5th district Chas
Sommi>. Oglc Co: 9TH :. NJ. smith
licnys 60: I'll, X. NJ. Springer. Ken
dali Co: sth W. \. Mackca glian. Liv-
ing>tone Co:ath ". ". Matthews
kuoN Co: 10th James Mancss, Me.
poneugh lith III. Ii. Davis. Brown
Go; 18th Asa Bowman. Christian TO
lith X. NJ. Gay. Mclean Co: 18th
q. II. Scott. t'mmpaign County
10th Geo. ". Reeve. Edgar Co. l,tl
Vi. NJ. Huuton. Marion Co.: lStl
Lewis solomon. Macnupin TO-. !9tll
w. :. Wa>hbnrn. Williamson TO
Orlando BmrilI. White county
+ State u, large ". Il. Bnrdich and y.
j. Noonan, of Cook county. The list
Of delegates showed 30 present aud
rcnresrutiu" III counties.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

The State Register in recent issue
makes mention Of Gen. w. 4. Shcr
man as the probably coming man fol
the Republican nomination for Presi,
dent in case the contest over Blaine
Morton, Hays and Conkling Is pro.
tracted in convention. Gen. Sherman
is an able man and a good man the
part he played in our great war--his
march to the sea--was Sherman like.
He was just the man for the place, but
we cannot find it in accordance with
our judgment that he should make a
successful President. The duties of
civil life in high position are not
We thoroughly believe, in accord with
his talents, and we feel that General
Sherman knows this, and wisely pre-
fcrs to remain in his present position,
place which he highly honors and
admirably fills. While the General
would, beyond question, be exceed
ingly popular with his old army COM
rades, for they all love and admire
him-and justly so--and while he al
10 would be popular with great
portion Of the populacc, we still think
lint his nomination would not meet
with hearty response and an un-
doubted confidence, in the light Of his
adaptation to the place, by a very
arge number of the thinking, cau-
'ious and prudent portion of the
American people. We do not think
5eneral Sherman is likely to he nom
mated for President.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23
NEW YORK

NLw IoHk. Feb. 1S--A letter from
Oliver Johnson to Henry G. Bowen.
dated Jan. eth. 1871. and marked .pri-
vatc and confidential" ha, been made
public. The exciting cause of writ
ing il was the removal nf Theodore
Tiiton from the independent. Que
passage j. a. follows:
''Nou probably know something
That d" not ot charges against Nh.
Tilton. but do also know something
that you do not "t' evidence against
Nr. B. aud If hc dcnic. hi- guilt in
the matter. whereof l,c was accused
on that Christmas daN interview NJ
your house. he lies in the face Of cvj-
dcnce that would convict him in u
court OF justice. That cridepc" !
have seen.
Mr.. johnson now write, to the pub
liz an explanation of the private and
confidential" letter I" Bowen in which
he saws.
II con,cs, with regret and mnrtiii-
cation that upon purely eSpar1c evil
tlcnce then thought Mr. Becchrr
was guilty. ] was not then. nor am !
now.in possession of any evidence be-
yond what was disclosed in court nd
weighed by the jury. Ny opinion
rested solely npon the affirmation al
Mr.. Bowen. Mr.. Tilton aud Mr.. MoGl-
tor. y
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

THE Republic, published at Wash,
ington, p. c.. says that since JEFF
Davis has denied that there was any
i'll treatment at Andcrsonvillc Of fed
cral prisoners. let tho survivors OF
this infamous prison pen give their
evidence, that the question may hc
settled. II goes on TO say:
I'VE call upon every man who was
captured and confined by the Confcd-
crates during the civil war for slavery
and disunion, to at once give 10 the
public brief and direct account of
his personal experiences. Let each
man write to the nearest Republican
paper simple statement of his name,
regiment, rank, date Of capture,
length Of confinement, when cxchang-
ed, the treatment he himself received,
as to food, shelter, medical care. &C..
as well rs TO the action of those in
charge. Avoid all rhetoric. dcnounce
no one, give MS far as practicable The
names Of Confederate officers. &c, in
command; also, any special instances
as to others known to the survivors,
the details of which are readily sub
stafitiablc."
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

By telegraph we announced that
Gov. Kirkwood had rendered the
Cole vacancy on the Supreme bench
to Judge Sewers of Oskaloosa. We
were not disappointed at this, but had
rather looked for it. 1t is a good ap-
pointmcnt. The Judge has had wide
range Of experience in his profession,
and has been very successful both up
on the bench and at the bar. We be-
lievc him to be Of that cast of mind
which is better adapted to the bench
than the practice, from the totally
unbiased character Of his mind. He
is cautious, studious, candid and
honest man, and we predict for him a
career upon the Supreme
Bench.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

Tho present Secretary OF State, j.
T. Young, we learn has consented to
place himself before the Republicans
of Iowa as candidate for rc-nomi-
nation. His abundant services in the
highly honorable position he occupies,
for three years past. we have not
heard any one question. When he was
first a candidate four years ago, we at
once most heartily and cordially ad-
vocated his nomination. We did so
then because we had long known the
man had observed him not only in
Office as Clerk Of Monroe county for
six years, which place he filed most
admirably and satisfactorily, but we
had known him socially in the COM
mon walks OF life, and marked his
sterling integrity and yet, more, we
had known him well while for three
years lie carried q musket in the Seth
Iowa Infantry, portion of which
time minus the musket, he answered
roll call In southern prison pen a,
Tyler, Texas. II there is any place
that tests the all in all that there Is III
a man, southern military prison
during the war was that place. WI
always found Josiah T. Young a trut
man his sterling worth was ever mp
parent. With this intimate knowl
edge of him, the reader can readil,
see why we have supported most cor
daily Mr.. Young. Equally now cal
any one readily perceive why W
warmly espouse his cause for d re
nomination. Our friend Is not bril-
liant, but he is q solid, earnest, prac
tical and honest man, whom n
one who knows him, would eve
dream could be coaxed or driven fror
the line Of duty under any possibl
circumstances. Our voice is 70
j Josiah.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

The New York Tribune sees q new
light on the position Of Jefferson
Davis since he wrote his letter, and
makes the following pointed and
truthful comments:
when Mr.. Blaine proposed 10 dis
tinguish Jefferson Davis by refusing
to include him in general amnesty,
majority of the Republicans Of the
north believed that he made q great
mistake. More than half OF Davis
letter, however, is taken up III show
ing that Mr.. Blaine was right. What
ever may be the feeling ofthn rest OF
the south, 1t Il plain that Davis at
least IL unchanged. In his mind still
the reconstructed states are conquered
and outraged provinces the northern
hordes are 'invaders;" 1t is the priv
ilcgc OF the south TO forgive, not ours.
He does not wiah for amnesty He
has mo view OF the future" which
makes il desirable for him io he in.
cluded in an amnesty bill. lie does
not not look upon il as an Act OF
grace. To impose disabilities was an
infringement of law. To remove
them by act OF Congress is usurpa.
ton. lie will have none OF our for.
givencss. He only asks now, as he
did Of old, TO be let alone. And tho
comment of the multitude at the north
will he. We'll, Blaine knew Jcn' Davi,
best. after all.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

Have members of Congress any
rights that clerks of committees are
bound to respect: That question Is
rendered pertinent by an accident
which occurred a few days ago. Mr..
Townsend. of New York. a member
Of the Committee ON Revolutionary
Pensions. Went into the committee
room with some lady friends TO show
them tho view Of the Potomac from
the windows. The clerk. an eX-om-
ployc OF tho state Department Of the
late. Confederacy, and the present
correspondent Of d prominent Demo-
cratic newspaper, ordered him out.
Mr.. Townsend suggested that he had
as much right in the room as did the
clerk. The latter conceded his right
during sessions of the committee, but
at no other time, and added, II the
presence Of the ladies, that Mr.. Town.
send was "a damned old rascal
This contemplate insult was offered
in revenge for Mr.. Townsend's speech
on the Amnesty question. Mr.. Town,
send yesterday reported the matter tc
the committee, and declined TO serve
as long as the present clerk is EN-
ploycd. Ii no action be taken by tht
committee he will report j, to th,
Housc.--Iatcf-Oceaa.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

THERE arc. indeed, strange and
wonderful things transpiring in these
days. But among all these there is
one thing quite prominent, which is
al this moment in our mind. and that
is this: Henry c. Bowen, owner and
publisher Of the Independent, n great
newspaper. pnrporting certainly, to
be Christian periodical, now says
that the man who was once the life
and soul Of that paper and the pastor
Of Mr.. Bowen, has been known to
him (Bowen) for fifteen years past TO
be n criminal and liber,inc Of the
deepest dye; that he (Bowen) has
been convinced Of the moral tnrpi-
tude of Beechcr for a decade and a
half, and has abundant proof 10 sub.
stantiatc the fact.
During that fifteen years, however,
Bowen has been a regular communi.
cant of Bcccher's church, has sat nm
der his ministrations with his family
from Sabbath TO Sabbath, has pub
lished hundreds Of communications
from Bcecher in the Independent, and
yet, if Bowen now utters the truth
he knew when he was doing all this
that Beecher had debauched female
members of his church, and was con.
tinually doing so. Bowen, thus, by
his own showing, by his own yolun'
tarv acts, writes himself down as 9
knave and a scoundrel, il we can a,
all divine the force and effect Of Ian
guage. This is, indeed, wonderful te
us. We can understand how a mar
may believe in the guilt OF his pastor
but not being clearly able to prove 1t
! should fail to make charge agains
4 him, and content himself with with
drawing from religious association
with him. bat we cannot un
dcrstand how n man who was no
polluted from the crown cf his head Il
the soles Of his feet could be, rs :
member of that pastors church, ;
regular attendant upon his ministra
tions, and also publish in religion
journal which that member ownc.
and controlled, the writings of tina
pastor, and all the time knowing fha
the pastor was an infamous libertine
We confess as we look upon the posi-
ton voluntarily assumed by Bowen
VIC can arrive at no other conclusion
than that he writes himself down as
dishonest and corrupt man.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

The shrcwdest yet: A applied 10
b for n loan OF 800. Brcplied: "My
dear A, nothing would please me bet
ter than to oblige you, and I'll do it.
haven't 800 by me, hut you make a
note and I'll endorse it, and You can
get the money from the bank"
Grateful A proceeded at once TO
write note. "Say." said b, make it
$aO0. l want 800 myself" A did
so, B endorsed the paper, the bank
discounted It, and the money was di-
vidcd. When the note was due B
was In California, and A had TO meet
the payment. What he is unable to
cipher out is whether he borrowed
800 Of A, or A borrowed 800 Of him.
- YO,peu Courier.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23
A Rax B~by Ticket in lMal ia ma

INDIANAPOLIS. Feb. lG.--Tbc STATE
Independent Grccnback Convention
met at 10 O'Clock TO-DAY. lion. Arson
Walcott. Of White county, was chosen
president. Resolutions We're adopt
cd demanding the immcdiat" and
unconditional repeal of the specie
resumption act. which ea,,scsa with
drawal Of fcirculatin. notes of natio-
nal and state banks and the substitute
ing of greenbaek currency: instruct
ing delegates to the national conycn-
ton TO vote for senator Booth. oi
California. fora candidate for Prcsi-
dent
Hon. Franklin i.ander> was noiii-
mated for Governor for Lieutenant
Governor. Anson Walcou: secretary
Of State, Leroy Templeton Auditor
Of State. Norris NJ Bandr: Treasurer
}. q. \. Ncwsnln. Forty-nine coun-
ties on "f nineir-two were represent
cd
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

NEW HAMPSHIRE opens the ball in
State elections this centennial year.
A Governor is to be elected. The Re-
publican candidate is Mr.. Cheney, the
present incumbent, and his opponent
Is Mr.. Marcy. The rebel tiger in
Congress is reported 10 have made
sad havoc in the Democratic ranks in
the Granite State.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

THE railroad men are now having
a discussion over the railroad tariff
bill, at Des Moines. before the Joint
committees of the Senate and House.
The Legislators will be beat. as rule,
in all such free talks. The railroad
men understand TOO well the business
of railroaaing to enable any man out
side of the business to cope with them
on equal terms. And here we wish
to make a point and that is This il
the State and The people would ever
come to an intelligent understanding
Of what they should do in The contest
with railroads, let them designate
three men as railroad commissioners
to thoroughly study and master The
business, and make report to the leg
islatnre Of their findings and concur
sions. The only objection to this that
has occurred to our mind is, that the
commissioners may be biased in jndg-
ment by the railroad companies, or,
to be plain, they might be bought up
by the railway companies. To this
objection we urge this reply, that
there arc plenty Of men to be found
who cannot thus be tamperel with.
These railroad commissioners, how
ever, must be able. as well as thor.
oughly honest men.
Let such railroad commission be
appointed; pay them literally for
their labors; let them examine thor
oughly into everything, preserving
full data Of examinations, in other
words, arm themselves on all sides
with the most complete and full in.
yestigation of all things in regard to
oar roads, {for there is much pertain.
. ing to our western roads that does
not pertain to eastern roads,, and thus
equipped, let them give us such bill
as they think should be passed into q
law. This done, at the next session OF
our Legislature, let the rsilsoad men
appear before the legislative commit
tees in behalf Of the companies and
the commissioners for the State, i
such discussion Is thought advisa
bic, and then will an intelligent result
follow. The ordinary committee mer
of Legislature ale no match for the
skilled, and long experienced railroad
attorneys, presidents and superin
tendents.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

WHILE the administration is max
ing the most searching investigation
and prosecution OF the whisky ring,
let ii strike where it will, the Dcmoc-
racy all along the line are poisoning
the minds of the people or attempting
to do so by roorbachs, saying that
this and that dislillcr, rectificr or Of
iicer of tho government is 10 be
screened by the administration that
Bristow and the President have fell
ont, aud that Gen. Grant wants to ex-
ccpt, for instance, Gen. Rabcock, from
rigid prosecution. Never do DEM
ocratic journals give any credit to the
Republicans for roofing out corrup-
ton AMI wrong, but on the contrary
all the time they seek to impress upon
the minds Of their readers, withoutthe
least regard for truth, that the admin
istration is seeking how to avoid it.
There never was, in the history of
this country, 0 Democratic admins
tration which did 1.-THE of the work
of reform which the Republican par
/ ty has done since it got the great re-
bellion OF its hands, inaugurated and
carried on by the Democratic party.
The very reason why all the corrup-
ton extant is dug up aud brought to
light in political circles, is because
the Republican party is emphatically
ono Of reform, and ferrets out and
Furnishes corruption wherever found.
Our party saves no man, high or low,
who is found to be corrupt, be he Re-
publican or Democrat II screens no.
body for party's sake; II makes its
Investigations searchingly and fear.
lessly. Never was there an admistra-
tion which has with such faithfulness
and persistence pushed bad men to
the wall 90 has that Of Gen. Grant.
The Republican party fears not te
scorn and discard soreheaded Repub
lican leaders, who, under the prctens,
Of having became suddenly sanctifed
, go out Of the party after hoaor
which the Republicans deem then
unit to have. No one man or set 0
, men cen control and direct our party
; A. johnson even, could not jostle
. in Its steady march to success. Sal
: mon r. Chase could not raise doub
, as 10 its final victory, and the great,
: lamentcd Greeley could not break tn
|, solid phalanx Of the Republican hosl
. It Is . grand old party Of principle
Of thought, Of intelligence, ofvirtut
manifest in its individual members /
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

n greater extent than ever existed in
any party in this nation, though it has
been recently tlyaugmcntcd by hundreds
Of thousands Of blacks, just from I'M
der the CALLING chains Of slavcfy. 1t
hesitates not to strike wrong wher-
ever found, nor to cast among the
rubbish Of useless and worn out ma
terial any man or set Of men who seek
to control it for personal ends.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

THE buncombe resolution touching
finance in the lower House Of our
Legislature, was disposed of on the
10th inst, by the passage of the rcso-
lutions introduced by the Hon. John
Y. Stone, as substitute for the Bolt
er resolutions. The vote stood 81 to
81. The Stone resolutions have ap-
pearcd in our Des Moincs cores
pondeucc,
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

Babcock is not, "a seems to be quite
generally understood, the Presidents
"Privatc Secretary" The post is oc-
cupied by Mr.. Levi r. Luckcy. The
Assistant Private Secretary's name is
Sniiier. Babcock is a Colonel in the
army, with the brevet of General, de-
tailed for special duty at the White
House, and placed in charge Of the
Capitol grounds. He has also other
duties, but they are not those Of a
Private Secretary.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23

Ed. CHAPLIN has been appointed
Postmaster at Marshalltown. There
has been somewhat of a fight over
this matter, and we fear bad blood
engendercd. The outgoing postmast-
cr. we understand, has been in the
office some eight or ten years.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23
Hls opinion - che pre>est Jury
SYoeem,

What do you think OF the present
jury system {" inquired man OF an
old Chicago ex-Judgc, the other ev-
ening.
Think !" echoed the old man in
disgust; "why think II is getting so
that II man should plead guilty OF
murder, and try to get hung, the ju-
ry would, some how or other, man.
age to acuuit him."
The other man said ii looked
about that wayto him, too.-Jouyaal,
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23
j. NJ HEDRICK Co, PROPRIETORs.

Col. CoRKH1LL and J. B. Walker,
late of the Pittsburg Telegraph, have
become editors of the Washington
Chronicle, and Judge L. W. Vale goes
out of the concern, having disposed Of
his interest.
Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-23
l only expected that his watch would
pitch him overheard some dark night.
But what was he hanged for!"
IL

l only expected that his watch would
pitch him overheard some dark night.
But what was he hanged for!'
"For numbering you.,'
"For numbering me !" exclaimed
Bill, in astonishmcnt; and had to re.
peat the assertion, with an account OF
the whole affair, to convince him Of
its truth. ''And now,' said !. ''how
is it that I see You aliye?"
We walked ont upon the basiion.
and took seat upon the banauettc.
when Bill began his story; which
would be tiresomc to tell in his words
The amount Of it was. that he had
frequently threatened Mr.. Clark that
he would jump overheard, and that
he had nearly made up his mind scy-
cral times to do so; that he came on
deck that night, feeling sore from q
recent flogging, and somewhat cxci-
ted by drink, which he and Jack had
bribcd the old cook to steal from tho
cabin; that for some time Mr.. Clark
had the helm. and that after asking
for his knife and returning it again.
Mr.. Clark ordered him TO take the
wheel; to which he, Bill, replied that
IL was not his turn yet. and that he,
the mate, might lash il or leave
it. Upon this the row commenced.
Mr.. Clark jumped at him, struck him
a blow on the face, and knocked him
down and that, in falling, his knife
came out Of the sheath, and getting
under him, inflicted a wound in his
side; that, as soon as he could get
upon his feet. maddc9ed by rage,
pain and drink, aud reckless Of life,
but anxious TO spite Mr.. Clark, he
jumped upon the bulwark and re-
solved to throw himself into the sea
that Mr.. Clark seized him, and en-
deavored to drag him on board; aud
that it was Mr.. Clark's voice that
cried for help. With sudden effort
Bill tore from the mates grasp. and
sank into the water. In falling he
struck his head in the main chains,
and for long time was insensible.
Upon coming to himself, the love Of
life returned, and induced him TO cx.
eri his powers as a swimmer to sus-
tain himself upon the surface. lie
kept up until just at daylight. when
his strength being quite spent,hc saw
q large ship bearing down upon him.
She came so close as to hear his fec
BILE hail, and lowering q boat. picked
him up and took him on board, where
rcst and kind nursing soon restored
him to strength. The wound in his
side was slight, and healed up CONF
plctely before the ship reached Liv-
crpool. Since that time Bill has been
about the world from vari-
ons posts until at last his luck had
brought him TO Gibraltcr; and there
he stood before me, living proof of
the fallibility Of human tcstimony.and
tho danger of relying upon circnm-
,tantial evidence.
II don't want to sec any more hang
ing matches" said the captain. after
pause, drawing a piece of cavcndish !
from his pocket. and politely tender
ing it To his auditors. 81 don't want
10 see any more great moral lessons |
preached from the gallows or the !
And twisting of piece
IF the dainty weed. the captain |
off. with the conscious air
hat marks Your hahitnal rncoateal',
when he thinks that he has told a story
IN poiut