Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-11-29

poilcleS OF Andrew Jackson Thomas
II. Benton, Samuel j. Tilden and Gro
yer Cleveland are not arraying them
selves in ashes and sack-cloth for the
purpose of attending the Inauguration
of Colonel Bryan next March, notwith-
standing he prescribed for them that
style of dress suits upon their at
tempt to enter the 16 to 1 household
Hon. J. Sterling Morton, in the Conser-
yatiYe.
Republican Missouri.-Republic
Missouri is coming, and would be here
now on an honest vote. *When
Missouri goes republican the industrial
boom and general mining development
in the state will astonish the country
st. Louis Globe Democrat. 33's
Files objections-Th Cedar Rapids
Republican very properly files an OBJ
lection to suggestion that Cedar
county be attached to the second and
Iowa county to the fifth district. If
Cedar goes to the second Linn and
Jones must go with it. Linn, Jones,
Cedar, Scott, Clinton and Jackson
would make splendid district, ge-
Geographically and politically, with
about the right population, but it will
be an easy matter if in the new ar
rangement it is decided the fifth must
take in another county to give us a
county from the second, sixth, seventh
or third, and let the present arrange
ment stand. The fifth as now ar
ranged is happy family and there is
no good reason why the present rela-
tons should be seriously disturbed
Marion Register.
Great Oriental Port-Now comes
Judge Taft of the Philippine commits
sion and says that Manila is destined
to become the greatest port in the
Orient 1t has the location, the eli
mate, and the surroundings for great
commercial and shipping mission.
With such advantages and with Amer
that no limit need be placed on Ma
Mia. With such prospects even the
most rabid ants might hesitate about
giving it up. The time is coming, il
lit is not already here, when the Uni
ted States will want an outlet for pro-
ducts and for energies. The wants of
the Philippines will afford such an out
let.-Cedar Rapids Republican.
Reducing Taxes-The brewers are
pref AIRED to make strong fight for
the reduction of the internal revenue
tax on their product. At present
there is charge of So per barrel on
beer, and the brewers insist it is ex-
cessive. At least they had strong
influences at work, but failed to Sc
cure modification. They will renew
the fight early. There is a strong dis
position on the part of the senate
finance and the house ways and
means committees to reduce some of
| the stamp taxes, which are by far the
most Objectionable taxes imposed as
a result OF the war necessities. The
stamp taxes now produce about $751;
100000 annually, while the beer tax
produces $73,550000. There is sur
plus this year, but it is not large
enough, in view of the continued
\ heavy expenses Of the government
and the large drafts likely to be made
lby the incoming congress on the reve.
nues, to warrant much reduction. The
| brewers apparently want it all. Sec
rotary Gage is represented as favor.
/ ing a sliding scale beer tax, with the
present tax as maximum and author.
lily to decrease or increase it as the
condition of the revenues might neces.
state This plan would doubtless be
accompanied by such an adjustment
of the other taxes as would enable the
secretary of the treasury to keep the
brewers tax down to a lower point
than now and would be likely to give
| the brewers about all the benefit OF
any reduction of taxes. 1t is very
doubtful whether such an arrange
ment would be satisfactory. The PEG
4 pie. want the stamp taxes abolished;
they would rather take little more
atmosphere with their beer and pay
4 the tax in this way than be compelled
to put stamp on every check or Legal
document written The stamp taxes
are obnoxious from every point Of