Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-01
THE POLITICAL POT.
A Simmer Seen In the Democratic
Vessel.
"a LIST OF THE CANDIDATES 50 FAR
Democracy VIII Not Fuse This Year
VIII Have BUT One Sentence In the
Platform and That; 81 Ann
Democrats,

Platform and That; 81 Am
Democratic
From Wednesdays Daily.
1t seems that it is not too early for
the unterrified democracy to get, a
hump on itself in the matter of select
ing candidates for the county Offices
that will be filed by republican nom
inees-this fall. 1t is said that their
platform will be a cross between a
Boer resolution of sympathy and
4straddie on all other questions OF ma
tional, state, county, township and
war cry will be ssTurn the rascals out;
they have held county Office too long
anyway! 1t is said that no atten-
ton will be paid to the question as to
whether or not the retention of Cuba
and the Philippine Islands is right but
\ that they will make the canvass and
take the bold stand on the ground
that they are democrats with no popu-
istic tendencies. It is said that this
year democracy will not cater to pop
ulist demands, altho it is yet much
too early to make the assertion as a.
truthful statement. A day before the
convention would be too early for
that. 1t is said that republicans are
hoping and praying that overtures will
DE made to the populistic wing look-
ing to a consolidation of forces. for
! the reason that such a coalition is dis
tasteful TO J acksonian democrats aud
! is a great inducement for them to stay
I at home. On the other hand it is
whispered that with harmony in the
party and the populists just standing
by and helping with the matter of
votes and asking no Office on the tick
ct that success would he near their
grasp.
In county election the silver ques-
i tiont is not supposed to count, but it is
well known that q gold democrat will
& not vote for a man on his ticket who
stands unqualifedly for free silver. It
has been too much for him to swallow
in the past and democracy is profting
by the lesson. 1t is said that they do
not know exactly what to do in view
of the many perplexities THAI surround
them. They now say, it is said, that
there are no factions in the democrat
10 party, least of all in county politics.
This may be true, republicans say, but
there are at least $50 gold democrats
who have changed very much in the
last four years, even two years, if that
Isl the case.
The Boer war is offering great di-
version Just now. 1t is wonderful
how democracy, generally speaking, is
wrapped up In the roar of cannon and
the rattle of musketry. They do not
care to talk Of anything pertaining to
national politics. Party lines in this
county never were drawn tighter at
\ any time than at present. That is to say
there is but one rein. to the democrat
ic steed and it is being pulled almost
to the breaking point. A canvass new.
er was made entirely in this or any
other county or national issues but it
{ is very effective weapon in prejudice
ing certain class of minds against
/ certain course an administration might
outline and perhaps pursue, which
would have q tendency, sometimes,
slight it is true, to create ill feeling
for candidates on the other side of the
fence even down to county politics. =
It is safe to assume, and the suppose
4 ton is entirely reasonable, that the
great unwashed will make an exceed
i ingly still hunt this fall for any old
Kind of votes and that is the kind of
campaign that makes the other fellows
d nervous--they do not know where they
will stick the knife in and after it is
stuck. they wonder how deep the cut
4 is.
Coming down to the lambs who are
. said to be willing to sacrifice their en-
ergles and their money for the good
Of the cause without a very brilliant
hope of reward or remuneration except
that in the future their claims as hav-
ing run the race and lost will entitle
them to further consideration, is said
to be one candidate for the office of
4 clerk of the district court. James
\ Gee, it is said, has aspirations that can
only be satisfied with that Office. Mr..
I Gee is q fourth ward man, the silk
stocking ward it is called, and ID is
said claims TO be a democrat, anxious
& and willing to please and serve the
4 people in the capacity mentioned.
Newton i. Arrison, of Faiview addi-
4 ton, it is said rests his claim on the
fact that he has been democrat be-
fore William Jennings Bryan was ever
heard Of and would very much like to
make up the tax books each year and
I do sundry other things connected with
the office Of county auditor. Mr.. Ar
H rison has dabbled in politics all his
life to greater or less extent and at
3 no time has his voice been raised in
discordant sounds in democratic pow
vows, He is for harmony, it is said,
and believes that ar his time of life he
3 should be rewarded for past duties
faithfully done in democracy's service.
For, recorder. Here is where three
of them desire to try their penman-
ship on the records and spit tobacco
juice at the flies on the wall in the
summer time at salary of fifteen
hundred per if they make it. It
is said that ]. M. Kussart, an old
4 hand at the job, desires to show the
others how it should be done, but u.
G. Hawthorne, of Competine township,
and Squire A. G. Butler, Of Highland