davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
ne. Mr.. Bicknel saws that all of Mr.

zine. Mr.. Bicknen says that all of Mr..
Garland's stories misrepresent the
Iowa farmer, that they picture his
life as gloomy and hard to degree,
his opportunities as limited, and his
intelligence as stunted. Any one who
has read Hamlin Garland's stories Of
the prairies, attractive as some OF
them are in literary way, must adj
NIT the truth of Mr.. Bicknell's
charges. We who live among and
know the farmers of Iowa can most
easily detect, and are most anxious to
indicate flaws in pen pictures of
them and their life. Mr.. Garland has
caught the local color of the Iowa
country life without having made an
adequate estimate of the character and
intellectual powers Of the people. His
pictures are interesting, but they are
geographically misplaced. His charac-
tiers might not be incongruous if they
trod the soil of some less fortunate
state; but in Iowa they are sadly out
OF keeping with their surroundings.
Mr.. Bicknell makes criticisms along
these lines, and suggests that some
writer's opportunity lies in giving the
world a true picture of the Iowa far
mer. He says:
"Hamlin Garland has story in the
last Cosmopolitan about a young far
mer boy coming to Des Moines and
getting on the 'electrict lady in the
old Wonderland museum. Laying
aside a number of little inaccuracies
of facts in regard to Des Moines, the
story is like nearly all Of Hamlin Car
lands work, SANDER on the farmers
of Iowa. He persistenly misrepre-
sents and caricatures the people of the
state in which he once lived. lie
makes them appear to those who do
not know any better as being very
low order of beings, who are subject
to the most cruel and hopeless condi-
tons. He would have the world be-
lieve that to be farmer of Iowa is
to be everlastingly accursed and to
feel forever the heavy hand of adyer-
sity. The farmers of Iowa do not feel
that way. 1t is time that some one
who has the ability and opportunity
should put into the form Of fiction a
true picture of farm life in Iowa,
showing it's bright side, telling of the
thousands and thousands of happy
and prosperous homes inha bited by Gull
tivated people who are, as they should
be. we'll satisfied with their surround
ings, for they are independent.
healthy, wealthy and WISE The
truth presented in this way would
contrast strongly with the distorted
pictures drawn by Hamlin Garland"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

That our sales to the Orient are
rapidly growing is shown by the latest
export figures of the bureau of Stats
tics. While there has been continued
growth in our exports during the past
fiscal year, by far the largest percent
age of gain has been in our trade with
the Orient. To Europe, our exports
during the eight months ending with
February, increased ga per cent, as
compared with the corresponding
months of the preceding fiscal year;
to South America, 8 per cent; to
North america, 1913 per cent; to Asia,
3s per cent; to Oceanica, 81 per cent,
or to Asia and Oceanica combined, A
per cent; while to Africa there was a
slight reduction, owing to the disar-
rangement Of commercial conditions
there by reason of hostilities. Taking
our exports as a whole, it is found
that the increase during the eight
months has been per cent, while the
increase to Asia and Oceanica has
been A per cent.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
AS SEEN THRU FRENCH EYES.

1t is very interesting sometimes to
observe how we are growing in the
imagination OF the rest of the world.
There is nothing like getting repu-
tation for doing wonderful things to
get the inspired fancies of the worlds
marvel-mongers at work. just see
this announcement taken from Paul
de Cassagnac's L'Autorie:
"Altho accustomed to American &c.
centricities our readers will be thun-
derstruck to know that they are pro
jecting the construction in New York
OF a veritable Tower of Babel, a build
ing Of 100 stories, with accommoda-
tons for 10000 people. Let this be
carefully noted-30,O the popula-
ton of a considerable city. The plans
for this fantastic structure are already
drawn, as well as the specifications
for it's $4,000 sleeping rooms, $500 sit
ting rooms, 1000 kitchens. 165 dining
rooms and restaurants, $50 flights of
stairs, 81 electric elevators, $4,000
chimney fues and 10000 windows.
The height of the building is to be
1000 feet-that is, the spire of the
Colonial Cathedral placed on top of
the Eiffel Tower. The cost will be
$40, 100000.
This is quite an enterprise! The
thing that strikes us rather forcibly
about it is that the French should
take us to be such great smokers that
building accommodating only 10000
people should be provided with $4,000
chimney fues. We do not see what in
the world 10000 Americans would do
with $4,000 fiues, unless to carry off
the surplus political gas of the coming
democratic campaign.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
THE BoER DELEGATES.

1t is not easy for Americans to sup
press sympathy for the South African
delegates who are on their way to this
country to make an appeal in behalf
| OF their countrymen. Even when he
believes it would be an impolitic and
dangerous thing Tor this government
TO intervene, every American, we
think, wishes some means were at
hand to bring about peace short Of
the total destruction of the Boel
forces.
But it is manifestly impossible for
the government to intervene. Regard
less of right or wrong, we would be
the first to resent an attempt on the
part Of any foreign nation to stay our
hands in the Philippines, and while
the British government tolerated Mr..
McKinley's tentative advances a few
months ago, it would hardly be SO po-
lite now that it seems to have the
situation in South Africa under con-
troll
But in one respect the Boer dele
gates may be able to advance their
mission. English public opinion, that
is to say the opinion Of thoughtful
men, is more sensitive to American
PuChS oPiAiot llittu ~ CSCE was. lILIlH-
lishmen realize at last the advantage
in conciliating American sentiment.
They have abandoned the scorn with
which they formerly received advice
from 'the States" 1t is not improb-
able that the presence of the delegates
in this country will so stimulate pub
lie sympathy with the Beers as to in
fuence British Judgment on the side
of leniency in fixing the terms of the
inevitable settlement. There is con-
siderable never again" party in Eng
land, but it might not be able to have
its hard way IN the face of vehement
unofficial protest from this country.
In the meantime the Boer sympa-
thizers in this country can only wish
for strength to the fighting farmers,
hoping against their fears that the
battle will not be to the strong, and
praying for an unexpected occurrence
that will end the war while some
part OF gallant little nation sur
wives.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
ANDREW CARNEGIE.

Elsewhere in this issue of the Cour.
Ter is republished from the Conserva.
tive an article by A. j. Tullock, OF
Leavenworth, Kansas, which gives a
slight sketch of Andrew Carnegie,
sometimes called the Iron King. All
information about Mr.. Carnegie is OF
interest just now, but the article re-
printed in today's Courier is even
more than usually interesting because
it gives different vitw of the sub
ject. Newspapers and other periodi-
Gals have, of late, been full of accounts
OF Carnegne's enormous wealthand the
large profits his company is making in
the steel business. The tone of many
of these articles has been averse to Mr..
Carnegie, and the insinuation has too
often been thrown out that oppressive
and illegitimate methods have been
used in the requirement of this great
wealth and the building up of the
enormous business from which it has
been derived. In view of this. it is re-
sfreshing to read what Mr.. Tullock has
to say of Carnegie. He calls attention
to the fact that this great iron-master
was the man who built up the steel
industry in this country, making it
the source of employment for $4,000
men. Carnegie's energy and business
skill made the thing a success. He
started as poor boy, and worked
himself up from the position of cot
ton-mill hand to the ownership of the
largest steel works III the world. This
is not a thing to condemn a man for.
Here in America it is what we admire
and respect. Moreover, Mr.. Carnegie
has been exceedingly generous with
his wealth. He has used it in the dis
emination of learning and in helping
his fellow citizens. Cities all over the
country have Mr.. Carnegie to thank
for splendid public buildings, and it is
noteworthy that he has not confined
himself to grand monuments in large
cities, but has also generously estab-
lished or aided free libraries in the
smaller towns when such advantages
are most needed. 1t is interesting to
contrast this man with Allan o. Myers,
whose idea of good citizenship is to
get up in populist convention and
declare that the country is going to
the dogs.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

these bishops in the general confer.
ence at Chicago, Friday, in the form
OF a resolution that they be forbidden
to accept any money for such services
in the future. The resolution passed
Rev. Wilson was pastor Of the First
Methodist church in this city for five
years and people who knew him then
are not surprised at the vigorous
stand he has now taken against what
he considers a nefarious custom. When
Rev. Wilson believes thing he be-
lieves it with all his heart and soul
and will advocate in in a fearless and
effective way. The passage OF Rev.
Wilson's resolution and the admission
of an equal representation of lay dele
gates seem to indicate that the Meth
odist church body is getting recogni-
ton from the present general confer
ence in a way that is distinctly en-
courapin0
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
THE GROWING "PER CAPITA"

More money per capita, more gold,
more silver, and larger total of mon
ey in circulation than ever before is
the standardization of the circulation
statement issued by the treasury de-
partment for April, 1900. For the
first time in the history OF the coun-
try the per capita circulation has
crossed the $26 line and the year 1900
carried the total Tor the first time
past the two billion dollar line, while
the amount of gold and gold certifi-
Gates in circulation is larger than at
the corresponding date of any previous
year.
The circulation statement" which
is issued at the beginning of each
month, shows the total money in cir
culation on April 1, 1900, to be $2,O21,-
4,506, and on April 1, 1899, $1,927,-
s46,942, while on the corresponding
date in 1898 it was $1,756,O5s,645;
On April /, 1897, it was $1,659, OO0,694,
and on April 1, 1896, $l,52s, 1929, 463.
This shows an increase in total money
in circulation in four years of $780,
645,O43, or 80 per cent.
The per capita money in circulation,
or the average amount for each indi-
vidual in the United States is also
larger than ever before, being $26.12
Calculating the present population at
77,395,000), against $25.45 one year
ago, $3.50, two years ago, $23.O1,
three years ago, and $21.53 on April l.,
1896.
The amount of gold in circulation
is also greater than at the correspond
ling date of any preceding year, the to-
tai gold and gold certificates in circu-
lation on April ], 1900, being $780,
S45,549. against $727.74s.591 on April L.,
1899, 61s,44s.941 on April 1898, $554,-
$4,000 Oh april 1, 1897, and $4S9,151,-
sos on April /, 1895; the increase during
the four years being $296,694,0 44, or
60 per cent.
The amount of silver in circulation,
including standard silver dollars, sub
sidiarv silver, silver certificates, and
treasury notes of 1890. which were is
sued tor the purchase of silver bullion
and are to be retired when the silver
is coined and put in circulation,
amounts to $631, 1860, against $685.
9s2,sO4 on April ], 1890; S610,661, 72g
on April 1, 1898; $3.50 o24,775 on April
IA, 1891, and $55s,524.447 on April l,
1896.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
EXPLOITATION OF MANUFAC-
TURES.

The growth in expectation of manu-
tactures continues to be the most strik-
ing feature of the marvellous export
trade of the United States, which in
the nine months ending with March,
1900, reached the unprecedented sum
OF 53,S20,6SO, and thus promises to
be fully one billion, 300 million dollars
in the fiscal year which ends sixty days
hence. OF this large expectation, more
than 30 per cent was manufactures,
against 26 per cent in the correspond
ing months Of the fiscal year, 1899, and
90 per cent during the same months of
the fiscal year, 1898. For the month of
March alone the exports of manufac-
lures amounted to $44,767, 139, which is
far greater than the total for any pre-
ceding month in our history, that of
p March, 1899, being 500, 1O9,231; March,
1 1895, $2s,214,540; March, 1897, $25,s74,-
469, and for March, 1896, $19,125, T25,
the exports Of manufactures in March,
1900, being thus more than double
those Of March, 1896, only four years
earlier. For the nine months ending
with March, 1900, the exports of man
ufactures were $313,27S, 1858, against
$l63, 1925 for the nine months end
ing with March, 1896. the total for he
entire period having thus nearly doub-
led in that time. For the full fiscal
year 1t now seems probable that the
Total exports of manufactures will
consid erably exceed $40O,000,OoO, while
the total for the fiscal year 1899 was
S53s,675,55S, for 1897 77,285,391, and
for 1895 but $1S3,595,743.
This increase is found in almost ev-
cry important line of manufactures.
Scientific instruments show an increase
in the nine months in question of from
$3,071,758 to $4,750,474; fiber manufac-
lures increased from $1,9O1, 1855 to 3d.
049,957; chemicals, from $7,959,318 to
$A674, 760; paraffine from $5,050,573 to
$6,S74,653; agricultural Implements
from $6,632,53s to $9,663,7s7; leather
and manufacturers of, from $17,OOs,s96
10 $20,723,432; copper, from $26,644,957
to $40,59S,399, and iron and steel, from
S67,212,6o5 to $s6,912,155, Thus iron
and steel, despite the enormous adj
vance in price and despite the predic-
tlon made when the increase began
that this advance in price would reduce
expectations, continue to head the list
OF manufactures exported and will sur
pass by more than $2O,OOO,OO0 the enor-
nous figures of last year and show
total considerably greater than $780,
100000 for the years export trade in
That single line of manufacture.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
CIRCULATION.
FIGURING ON THE ELECTORAL
VOTE.

st. Louis Globe-Democrat Demo-
cratic arithmetic men have little to
say in these times. The figures in the
electoral column are unusually per-
verse. Ordinarily probabilities can be
twisted enough to give semblance of
success. But getting down to par
tlculars is not at present attractive
to the democratic mathematicians. A
few years ago the solid south was le-
lied on for the substratum of votes,
to which were added New York, New
Jersey, Connecticut and Indiana. An
other state is now necessary. The old
formula must be amended even as to
the number Of votes required. Then in
the last presidential election the sofia
south was broken, the republicans
gaining twenty-five of the twenty-;ix
electoral votes of Maryland, Delaware,
West Virginia and Kentucky. Since
1896 the states of Kansas, Washing
ton, Wyoming and South Dakota have
come over to the republican side. Ken
lucky has been carried by both par
ties, and Maryland by democrats on
platform silent as to silver. Some
thing extraordinary must happen be-
fore the electoral vote can be arrang-
ed to show reasonable chance Of
democratic success on November 6
next.
A democratic paper in Illinois does
rome figuring, in which it claims New
York because Roosevelt's majority
was only $4,000, New Jersey on the
strength of municipal elections, In
diana because of the Porto Rican law,
along with Connecticut, Delaware,
West Virginia, Illinois and Wisconsin
on general democratic principles. 1t
calls on the Kansas City convention TO
adopt platform and nominate .an-
didate for vice president that will Sc
cure the doubtful states in this list.
The Baltimore Sun argues that il the
silver question is ignored or dropped
{ at Kansas City the ticket should
carry the solid south with 1874
votes, along with New York, New .ler-
sey, Connecticut, Indiana and Illinois,
or twenty-one more than majority.
No matter what is in or omitted from
the platform Bryan's chance of get
ting any of these states is not / in
10000. II Bryan is shelved other diff
culties crop up for the party he led
to defeat four years ago. Figuring on
the result is the hardest kind Of Il
democratic lob.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
CHOOSING A VICE PRESIDENT.

Several movements have been no.
ticed whose object is to fill the second
place on the repu blican ticket. A man
Of capacity is needed, one who meas
ures up to the higher position to
which several vice presidents have
been called. But there is no need to
reach a foregone conclusion on the sub
ject. 1t might be well to leave the
matter to the convention. That. body
will be composed of about thousand
republicans from oil parts of the coun-
try, and their comparison Of notes will
be valuable. There is but one opinion
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

among republicans as to the head OF
the ticket, and the convention will be
unanimous OH that point. In regard to
the vice presidency, the people are
thinking the matter over, and, on the
convention, where it properly belongs.
The people send their representatives
there to settle all uncertain points in
nominees and platform, and expect
delegates to get firmer and more
comprehensive grasp OF conditions and
details than are possible to other
members of the party.
"A new political element must be
reckoned with in the coming repub-
lican convention, and it has been de-
veloped by the growth Of the country.
States that were once called the west
are now more properly grouped with
the eastern section. Ohio is next to a
state on the Atlantic seaboard. Geo
graphically and otherwise it belongs
to what may now be called the east.
IT the nominee to run with Mckinley
comes from the region west of the
Mississippi the ticket will be well bal
anced. A strong man from one of the
Pacific states would be suitable Sc
lection. 1t is for the convention itself
to weigh the adjustment OF the ticket
to the whole country. Opinion upon
these conditions has not yet taken a
definite form, but the time is at hand
to give them due deliberation. Most
of the vice presidential booms have
presupposed that, as the president
comes from Ohio, his running mate
must hail from one OF it's neighboring
sections on the east. No doubt the
convention will decide this matter
in an intelligent and satisfactory man
ner
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

Newton Journal: Correspondents for
the Des Moines papers have evidently
taken the affairs of the sixth district
in charge, and are busy forecasting the
events in the congressional contest.
What the Interior object is cannot be
definitely discerned, but one thing we
can assure all interested-the conven-
ton will nominate Maj. John T. Lacey
on the first ballot. The time may come
when another gentleman may be the
republican candidate for congress in
this district, but that time is not now.
The long experience of Mr.. Lacey is
too valuable to trade horses" in the
present eAigencies.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

One of the most significant para
graphs in Mr.. Aliens speech at his
Inauguration as civil governor of Porto
Rico was that the Washington gov
eminent was prepared to assist the
islanders in helping themselves. 1t
was notification to the Porto Ricans
that while the general government
will always be ready to help them in
case of emergency, they must not fold
their arms and depend upon being fed
and clothed indefinitely by their new
parent. A people who do not exert
themselves cannot expect to succeed.
A lazy nation is as badly off as lazy
man. W.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.
work No, Unwhole.ome.


Washington Press: 1t is singular
that women of the past two genera
tions make as good a score of longev-
ity as men. They worked as hard as
the men, and even harder, for they
had no help, day times, In the house,
and their hours OF sewing, spinning,
weaving, darning, ETC., ran to 10
o'clock or II o'clock at night, and oil
this time they were child bearing and
raising big families. Yet they were
tough enough to last into the eighties
and nineties. Work, and hard, unre-
hitting work at that. it seems, is not
unwholesome.
The Tribute of Friend.
Clinton Age: The death OF Matt
Parrott is public loss. He was of
that stuff OF which states are consti-
tuted. He was emphatically the ar
chitect of his own fortunes. He gave
back to his helpers all and more than
they gave to him. He was ambitious,
but only that he might serve the
state. He had no use for those who
sought places of honor and trust,
where integrity and a good name was
all in all, by their swerving a hairs
breadth from the basic principles of
eternal truth. He loved justice as he
loved life. We do not believe he was
ever false to any human being. What
we say of our friend is based on more
than forty years personal acquain-
lance with him. Goodby, dear friend,
hale and farewell!
Merely Mischief Maker. M.
Harlan Republicans: The Des Moines
Leader processes to have leanipgs To-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
Not Drowned, but crazy,

Rock Rapids, May 4.-George Kahn,
who disappeared very niysteriousiy
two weeks ago yesterday, and who
was supposed to have been drowned in
the Rock river, was found at Sibley,
Wednesday, a raying maniac. He had
been in hiding near there for over a
week and thinks some person is follow
ing him to kill him. The sheriff and
his brother have gone after hiy
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10
A Now GospEL.
the dogs

German scholars believe that new
gospel-a new inspired record of
Christ's life and teachings been
found. The new gospel is believed to
be the lost gospel to the Egyptians
st. Peter, the chief of the apostles.
The scholars who assign SO tremen-
dous an Importance to. this newly dis
covered manuscript are Professors w.
Spielgelberg, X. Schmidt, and Adolf
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-05-10

The free trade New York tariff re.
form club is now saying that the pass
age of the shipping bill will cheaper
the fare of immigrants, and increase
the number coming to the United
States in order to stir up the opposi-
ton of the labor interests. But, as a
matter of fact, the passage of that bill
will decrease the foreign ships coming
to this country, and thus reduce the
number of immigrants, at the same
time giving increased employment to
our own citizens in all parts of the
country.