Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-16
WELL DONE, BRAVE 1owA!"

This mornings Chicago Tribune
prints the following editorial on Iowa.
1t is good enough to reproduce entire:
Republican papers in Iowa are pleas
ed to speak in an apprecative way of
the warm satisfaction expressed by
| the Tribune over the result of the cleo
| ton in their state. This paper returns
with effusion the compliments paid it.
Much more than was said could have
been said without praising the Iowa
republicans unduly. Their state is one
of which all American citizens, with
out regard to party, have reason to be
proud. The people of Illinois and Cook
county contemplate with blended pride
and envy the spirit which prevails
among men OF. both parties across the
Mississippi and the high standard OF
efficiency in, its public men which re-
suits therefrom.
That harmony, which is SO essential
to success, is due to homogeneous
population, to the non-eNistence of
great cities, and to the fact that while
the party has an efficient organization
1T never has known n boss.
There is not in the list of the men
now representing Iowa in congress one
for whom the citizens of that state
need to blush. In the senate it has
two men of the first rank-yeteran
statesmen commanding through high.
character and trained ability the re-
spect of the senate and the country as
well as of their fellow-citizens of Iowa.
Senator Allison, careful, conserva-
tive, always accurate in statement, has
for many years had almost unbounded
influence in the senate. So high an
estimate have different presidents put
on his sound judgment and his capac-
ity for work that there are few cabinet
positions, from secretary of state down,
which have not been offered to him.
He has refused them all, preferring to
represent Iowa.
Senator Gear has been governor, land
has served in the house of representa-
tives, in which he was a leading mind.
If not SO active and influential in the
senate as his colleague, it is because
he has not served there so long. But
his opinions are respected there. His
advice is sought when important ques-
tions come up. The republicans of his
state never have had occasion to apol-
ogize for him or question either his
sincerity or his devotion to the best
interests of the people. He, like his
colleague, is free from all faint OF
demagogism and loose eXpectoration
of speech.
Look at the lower house, and the
prospect is equally gratifying. The
list of representatives is headed by
that gallant veteran and wise public
man, Colonel David B. Henderson. He
| it is who has practically been chosen
speaker before vote has been taken
in the house or in caucus. Further
commentator of him is needless.
Near him in influence stand men like
Dolliver and Cousins, two of the most
eloquent men in congress, whose foren-
sic efforts are depended on whenever
a party emergency demands the SER
vices of its silver-tongued speakers.
Without calling the roll of the house
delegation, it will suffice to say that
there is not man there whom his
fellow-citizens ever feel tempted to dis
own.
| The interests of the state have been
as well cared for at Des Moines as at
Washington. Probably there cannot
be found among the men who have
served as governor since the state was
admitted to the union one who has not
displayed more than average ability in
that position. Therefore the state new
err has had an executive who has come
quite up to the recent Illinois stand
ard.
It would not be fair to ascribe to the
rural republicans of Illinois or to those
Living outside Cook county the unhap-
| Ply results of the system in this state.
We must confess with shame that evil
days have come upon the party in ILL
nois because the political power of
Chicago has grown more rapidly than
that Of the country districts. In this
as in other large cities the control of
the party machinery has lapsed into
the hands Of men of inferior character
land ability. who use that machinery