Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-15
What They Are Doing at the Ma
tional Capital.
CONCERNING THE FEDERAL JUDGESHIP
The Appointment May Not be Made for
Some Time-Senator Gears Health
Improving = lowa,s Quota of
Officers More Than Full.

caused by Gne telegram from THIS CITY
stating that James ID. Rowen has
small chances of getting a position
here; and that Iowa has more than.
her full share of patronage on capitol
hill, kilograms came this way, making
the wires hot, asking explanations, and
soliciting denials of the report. But
the facts are plain. Congressman Hull,
Senator Gear. Julian Richards, and !
others, are exceedingly anxious to have
Rowen provided for; and there are
to official recognition OF some sort.
But, during the past four years Sena-
tors Allison and Gear have demanded
and received, more than their share of
appointments in the senate wing of the |
years the Iowa representatives have
managed to secure more than their
share of the patronage in the house
wing of the great marble building.
Consequently, now that there is new
deal, and lot of new senators and
representatives for the various states
are demanding their rightful patron
age, the Iowa men must let go, and
some of the Iowa men here must be
discharged. Under the circumstances
that Rowen, or any other Iowa man,
can expect appointment, is beyond the
pale of pro oability.
Senator Gear has been going daily
to the capitol during the past week. He
is gradually growing stronger and will
advise him to drop all business and
make it his business TO rest up and
completely recover from his recent at
nl. IA Sicfc
to the capitol. and does not think that
prolonged rest is necessary. His splen-
did physical condition enabled him to
defy disease until a few years ago. and
even now he regards himself as capa-
BILE of continuous labor. Altho he
comes of a long-lived family, he owes
his longevity and political successes
largely to the attentions and influence
Of-his wife.
Senator Allison. will be 71>years old
on the I'd of March this year. Except
ing his disability in December, 1896, he
has always been blessed with perfect
health, and he is today as strong as
ever he was, and as busy as ever.
Speaker Henderson is not a school
master speaker. He seeks counsel of
his selected advisers. and often in the
morning it is impossible for people and
members to see him in his room at the
capitol, because he is comforting with
his friends concerning policies to be
pursued in pending legislation.
Julian Richards is always in the
speakers room during the ses-
sion of the. house OF repre-
sentatives. He is accessible to every
body and seems to know all about ev-
erything that is going on, as a speak
er's clerk and veteran newspaper man
ought to do. Within the memory of
the writer, who has seen speakers come
and go for many years, there has been
no speakers clerk who has taken such
an interest in affairs, and such intelli-
gent interest in all things, as our own
JuSe Richards.
Leroy ]. McNeely, Of Dubuque, pri-
vate secretary to Speaker Henderson,
Hvho has been somewhat indisposed for
several weeks, is now in perfect health,
working like a beaver. He is one of
the most capable and trustworthy of
young men. For four years he worked
in the capitol and in the executive de-
partments as an assistant to the Reg
lister correspondent 1t was while thus
engaged that Colonel Henderson be-
came acquainted with him and became
attached to him. Inasmuch as Hen
derson wanted his services, and need
ed them after the last amputation Of
bis leg, the writer reluctantly gave him
up, and now he occupies splendid po-
sition, altho not yet % years of age.
Congressman Hull.s committee on
military affairs is having daily meet
lngs for the consideration of numerous
bills OF Importance to the military
service OF the government. Committee
Clerk Herman Reeve and Assistant
Clerk Captain Mentzer are kept busy
by this exceptional activity by the
committee, and they are more than,
Hull was in Philadelphia on the oc-
day Of Abraham Lincoln, and address
ed the Young Republican clubs Of the
City of Brotherly Love.
Howard Tedford, of Mt. Ayr, clerk
bf, Hepburn's committee, is one Of the
busiest men at the capitol. In addition
10 the work OF the important commit
Tee, he is doing great deal of execu-
I tive department work, and his type
writer is kept constantly clicking, as
he writes letters to numerous CORE
spondents concerning public and pri-
waite affairs.
The appointment of successor to
The late Judge John S. Woolson is held
On allegiance. Two weeks have
elapsed since the Register stated that
the appointment might mot be made
Tor month or more" 1t is now fair
guess to say that the appointment may
not be made until another month shall
have elapsed. One well informed man
says he would not be surprised il no
appointment should be made until af-
ter the holding Of the next republican
state convention. When Ed r.. Mason
was here he said that Senator Allison
would decide the appointment. He may
be still OF that opinion. AS matter OF
fact. Senator Allison will have nothing
whatever to do with-the appointment,
except secondarily. II the vacancy ex-
isted in the northern district, Senator
Allison would, of course, take the ini-
tiative. But the vacancy exists in the
Aouthern district, and Senator Allison
hill do nothing until the congressman
" the southern district reach con-