Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-11

man duly elected to the office of lieu
tenant governor for the ensuing term,
following which the convention dis
solved.
The democrats have not given any
announcement of their intentions re-
.garding a senatorial candidate Altho
it is recognized the honor will be some
what empty, indications are that there
will be considerable contest before
candidate is named. The division is
between the younger and the older
democrats. Each faction has settled
on his favorite. and the chances are
the caucus for nomination will, be in
teresting. The younger men have set
up Cato Sells, of Benton county, as
their choice for the nomination, but
the old members are inclined to think
the honor should go TO Fred White, of
Keolkuk county. Mr.. Sells made a
strong impression among the young
democrats of the state in his speech
and conduct at the democratic conven-
ton in Des Moines last summer, and
with this faction he has very strong
older members argue that Fred White
Ids ildbS q I'll himself
as a gubernatorial candidate on two
different occasions, and that if there is
any honor to be distributed he ought
thought a majority of the democrats
the choice.
The committees appointed the first
day of the session to investigate the
charges against the three contested
seats in the house, expect to get at
their task within day or two. The
contest of w. j. Scott, of Ida Monona,
is probably the most unique of the
three. Mr.. SCOTS seat is contested by
Nathan Lindsey, a middle-of-the-road
populist, from Monona county. Mr..
Lindsey alleges that Mr.. SCOTS repre-
sentation of Monona county is uncon-
stitutional. He supports this argument
with the statement that section So
chapter 16l of the code conflicts with
sections Is and 36 article three of the
constitution, and is therefore null and
void. Mr.. Lindsey claims that Monona
county is entitled to separate represen-
tation under the constitution, which
requires county to have population
of 22,5o0, before it may have a repre-
sentative in the house. He says in his
petition. that the county has this pop
ulation, and more, and is therefore en-
titled to separate representation. The
contestant makes no claim adversely
to the right of Mr.. Scott to represent
Ida county, but only to represent Mo-
mona. To understand the exact situa-
tion little ancient history is neces-
sary.
1t has been customary in the Ida
Monona district to pick representatives
from one county and the other in rota-
ton, allowing each man second term
if he so desires. An illustration of this
is the case of Lyman Whittier, resi-
dent of Monona county, who represent
ed Ida-Monona four years ago, and was
again nominated two years and half
ago, but was defeated at election. This
year the choice fell to Ida county, and
in the nominating convention the re-
publican nominee was named as w. j.
Scott, of Ida. Geo. Oliver was the OPP
posing republican candidate against
Scott, but withdrew before the conven-
ton met. The populists and demo-
Gratis united on Mr.. James of Ida. The
middle-of-the-road populists put up
Nathan Lindsey, resident of Monona.
Scott was elecSed by an easy majority,
Lindsey receiving 100 votes from the
district. Before the thirty days allow
ed for fling protests had expired
Lindsey had obtained restraining or
der from Judge Gaynor, of Sioux City,
forbidding the board of supervisors
from issuing SCOTS certificate. This
act can be charged up to both Judge
Gaynor and Mr.. Lindsey as an unac-
.countable mistake. The board of SUI
Ipervisors does not issue certificates to
members who represent counties adj
Joining those in which they live. This
is done by the state board of canvass
ers, composed of the governor, secre-
tary treasurer, and auditor of state.
Failing in this Lindsey filed petition
of contest with the secretary of state,
who has turned it over to the house.
But the weakest part of Lindsey's
protest is the fact that the state con-
stitution makes provision for 100 mem
bers of the house of representatives,
no more. If he is correct in his claim
regarding the right of Monona county
TO a separate representative, it will be
impossible for him to be admitted I'M
til after a constitutional amendment,
put to a vote of the people, but that,
as Kipling says, is another story. Mr..
Scott is not worrying about his seat,
or the possibility that he may be re-
fused the representation of Monona
county. He has taken no steps what
ever to fight the case, leaving the mat
ter entirely in the hands of the COM
mittee.
INSANE DOCTOR KILLS INFANT.