davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
THE pRopHEr OF RlJIN.

Here is the prediction which Mr..
Bryan tore around the country max
ing in 1896:
'If Mckinley and the republican par
ty are successful and put in power for
the next four years, wages will be de-
creased, hard times will come upon us,
and over the land the price of wheat
will go down and the price of gold will
go up; mortgages on our homes will
be foreclosed by the money lenders;
shops and factories will close. We
will export no goods and we will i'm
port from foreign lands all the goods
we use; thus will ruin, want and mis-
cry be with us"
Not content with the ruin which he
predicted in 1896 and the fact that his
prediction was false, he now goes one
step further and predicts the complete
overthrow and ruin of the republic in
the following words:
To-day we are engaged in a con-
troversy which will determine wheth-
er we are to have republic in which
the government derives it's just pow
ers from the consent of the governed,
or an empire in which brute force is
the only recognized source of power.
When such an issue is raised there
can be only two parties-the party,
whatever it's name may be, which be-
lieves in republic, and a party, what
ever it's name, which believes in an
empire"
Will the voters of this country have
any faith in the ability of this false
prophet to grasp a situation or define
an issue after his miserable failure of
four years ago? We think not.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
"YouNe MAN ABsALoM."

Mr.. Bryan's selection of the young
man Absalom," as biblical prototype
of the young voter of the present day
was not particularly apt. Congress-
man Robert G. Cousins, in speech at
Clinton the other day, in referring to
the young man Absalom," said:
81 observe that Mr.. Bryan manifests
great sympathy and anxiety about the
welfare of the young man Absalom.
If / recall correctly the career of
young Absalom, he was conspirator
and made war against his country. Az
ter first prompting his servants to kill
his own brother, he inspired revolu-
ton by himself standing at the gates
of the city and making populistic
speeches, palavering the people and
arousing complaints, and among 9TH
er things he said: oh, that l were
made Judge of the land And he sent
out spies turnout all the tribes of Is
rael, saying, AS soon as We hear the
sound of the trumpet, then we shall
say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron
Finally came the battle in the woods
OF Ephraim, and, altho the kind old
father David had cautioned his gener-
ais to deal gently with the young man
Absalom, they cleaned him out horse,
foot and dragons, and the last we
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
oTTUMWA IN EARNEST.

For the second time Ottumwa has
voted by a large majority to accept
the Carnegie gift of $4,000 and estab-
ish in this city a magnificent public
library. By reason of a legal techni-
cal1ty, that has not yet been passed
upon by the supreme court of the
state, the first election was practical
~ null and void so far as Ottumwa's
purposes were concerned The second
election has avoided the technical pit
falls of the first, and there is now no
question of the project being brought
to a successful conclusion.
The large majorities by which this
library proposition has carried at each
OF these public elections is a matter
OF great significance. 1t speaks vol
umes for the sentiment of this people
to secure for themselves and their
posterlty these advantages that count
for the higher and better things of
life. The public library that is now
assured to Ottumwa will, as the
years go by, prove to be one of the
greatest blessings that has ever come
to this community, and those few mis-
guided people who have opposed the
project, willsthemselves come soon to
realize the inestimable advantages
that will center in and radiate from
this great educational enterprise.
Every citizen of Ottumwa has reason
for sincere congratulation at the
happy and successful outcome of this
matter. Ottumwa citizenship loday
stands higher in the estimation of
the world than ever before. The I'M
qualified expression that has now
twice been given by the people
of Ottumwa on this subject will
attract to this city those who
are looking for desirable place
in which to make their homes and
rear their children, as well as those
who are seeking commercial and in
dustrial center in which to do bust
ness.
The people of Ottumwa are deeply
in earnest in this library matter and
nothing will now be permitted to
stand in the way of the successful
conclusion Of the undertaking.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

hear of the young man is that his head
was caught in the bough of an oak
tree and he was taken up between
heaven and earth, and even the demo.
cratic mule that he was riding slipped
out from under him and ran away.
Young Absalom hung there awhile,
hoping to run for the presidency again
but sound money democrat by the
name of Joab fired three darts into
him and since that time. he has not
had such large headlines.
81 am glad Mr.. Bryan has found a
new prototype in history. 1t will
greatly relieve the friends of Abraham
Lincoln. But the Absalom tempera-
ments and doctrines are poor exem-
plars for the rising generation. When
ever a young man gets to training with
the negative element of mankind he
soon becomes hopeless pessimist,
and, instead Of helping progress and
the human race, he begins to waste his
time passing melancholy resolutions
at the tail-end of the procession.
"a cheaper dollar is poor motto
for either youth or old age. There are
plenty of opportunities for young Alb.
SALONS on the affirmative side. There
has never been such an age and such
a country as this in which to succeed
provided the young man does not
waste his time complaining and does
not let the thunder of populism sour
the milk of his disposition: Organism
is the sour milk of this generation. 1t
is the food of fault-fnders, the nour-
ishment of mischief and misanthro
nv -
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
A PROPHECY AND ITS FULFILL
MENT

Des Moines Leader: A correspond
ent of the Chicago Record sends to
that paper the following, which he
found in looking over a publication
printed during the war:
AS Uncle Benny came into the barn
Tony called out: "Uncle Benny, the
presidents elected-did you know it?"
"Oh, yes; knew it; but what presi-
dent do your mean?" responded Uncle
Benny.
why, President Lincoln. He was a
poor boy, like me, you know"
But can you tell me, boys" asked
Uncle Benny, who will be president in
the year, 1902
Dear me, Uncle Benny" replied To-
ny, chow should we know"
well, | can tell you," responded the
old man.
The boys were good deal surprised
at hearing these words, and at once
sat up in the hay.
who is he?" demanded Tony.
Well" replied Uncle Benny, 'he is
a boy of about your age, say Is or 16
years Old
Does he live about here?" inquired
Bill, the youngest of the party.
well, can't say as to that" an
swered the old man, "but he lives
somewhere on farm. He Is a steady,
thoughtful boy, fond of reading, and
has no bad habits; he never swears or
tells a lie or disobeys his parents"
do you think he is as poor as we
are, Uncle Benny?" said Tony.
Most Likely he is" responded the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
FRED WHITE IN PARIS.

In his Iowa city speech Major La.
cey paid his respects to the gentle
man who ran against him for congress
in 1896. The allusion is pointed, and
shows why even a democrat should
be glad the republicans won. Mr.. La,
cey said:
when Mr.. Bryan sent out his man.
ifesto after the defeat OF 1896 he said
that if the republican policies should
result in better conditions the demo.
Gratis would share these conditions
with their opponents.
He, too, has been rewarded for his
defeat.
81 ran for congress that year against
worthy and excellent gentleman who
preached calamity with great fervor
He is farmer and usually advised
his hearers of that fact and complain.
ed of the hard lot of his aYocation I'm.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
THE SUPREME TEST.

The one supreme test of prosperity
is the money in the bank. This is a
self evident truth. If a mans family
is well clothed and fed and in a COM
Portable home, and besides this he can
put money in the bank. it must be ad-
mitted that he is prosperous.
In the following unparalleled show
ing of the increase in the number Of
deposits frorf the dark of the demo
cratic Wilson bill regime in 1894 to
the glorious days of Mckinley pros
perity, the most marvellous of all is
the increase in the number of depos-
itors and in amount of deposits i'll
the savings banks of the country.
These banks are particularly the ones
where the wage earners of the coun-
try put their savings.
Mr.. Bryan says the people are not
prosperous. So say all his calamity
followers. We commend to them the
following figures from the report Vt
the comptroller of the currency of the
United States for 1899. They are un.
anSwerable
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
in NEBRASKA.

Prosperity has not overlooked the
populist state of Nebraska during the
past four years, but has, instead, shed
tile, over black and white, and over
Bryanite and anti-Bryanite so impair
TALLY that the lives of all have been
frightened and their pockets made
heavy with gold.
The prosperity there has been so
wonderful that Bryan can have had no
excuse for being unobservant of it..
The town of Lincoln, in which Bryan
is taxpayer, now has 4 per cent
bonds selling at premium, whereas
four years ago it experienced difficulty
in floating loans at per cent.
S. H. Burnham, president First Ma
tional Bank of Lincoln, Lincoln, Ne
braska, says:
Bank deposits have increased in
the banks of this city during the past
five years 81 per cent
"The credit of this municipality has
improved. We were paying per cent
on our city Indebtedness four years
ago.. Our bonds are selling at a pre-
MUM, at per cent today. There was
large amount of floating warrants
four years ago, while now warrants
are cashed on presentation.
Never in the history of this state
has money been at so low rate on
good securities as it is at the present
time. Farmers can borrow all the
money they want on first mortgages
on their farms at per cent interest,
while four years ago it was difficult
for them to get it at all. Four years
ago it was almost impossible for bus
mess man to borrow dollar from any
bank in the city of Lincoln, while to-
day we are loaning as low as 5 per
cent.
"a very large percentage of mort
cages have been paid, or at least, a
portion refunded at much lower rate
of interest The merchants and bust
ness men in this city, almost without
an exception, are making money, and
never in the history of the city was
there better condition prevailing
than at the present time.
UNLESS l am greatly mistaken,
there will be a very material change
in the political results in this state
this fall. make it a point to talk
with farmers coming from different
precincts, and from different sections
of the state, and almost without an ex-
ception they tell me they know of ma
ny in their different localities who
are going to let we'll enough alone and
vote for Mckinley. Many of them vot.
ed for Bryan four years ago. The gen.
eral feeling here is that the republi-
cans can elect a governor, carry the
Legislature, and secure the electoral
vote for Mckinley"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

The Fort Madison Democrat calls
attention to the fact that Dick Croker
has written a book on trusts and their
baleful influence on the opportunities
of young men. Croker should know
what he is talking about. He is the
head OF the New York political trust
that is trying to crush young demo-
crat in the person of Bird s. Coler.
He is furthermore prominently identi-
fed with the big New York ice trust
and is big stakeholder in the New
York transportation trust. Mr.. Gro
ker's masterpiece is undoubtedly the
work of specialist in the subject it
deals with.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

William T. Baker, ex-president of
the Chicago Board of Trade has writ
ten letter to Secretary Heath, Of the
Republican national committee, stat
ing he intended to vote for Mckinley
this year. Mr.. Baker is sound mon
ey democrat and we'll known for his
free trade principles. He has been
prominent in the work of the Nation
al Tariff Reform League, and has
served as president Of the Chicago
Civic Federation, and was also presi-
dent of the Worlds Fair. He deals
William J. Bryan some hard blows
his misSiye.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PHILIP.
DIMES

The Philippine commission, which
on Sept. l assumed the task of admin
istering the civil affairs of the islands
according to President McKinleys in
structions, has made an energetic be-
ginning. The primary needs Of those
islands, now that the rebellion has
been reduced to the guerilla warfare
of struggling bands of marauders and
cut-throats, are more schools and bet
ter facilities for communication be-
tween the various towns and districts
Plans for ample educational facilities
have long been under way, and are in
course of execution, with Prof. Fred
erlck Atkinson as superintendent of
the new system. He is already on
the ground, and with the commission
in actual control of the civil affairs
of the islands, with fairly abundant
revenues, and with the universal
eagerness and aptitude of the popu-
lation in Luzon and most of the other
islands for learning, there can be no
doubt that there will soon be sys-
tenn of schools, wisely framed and
skillfully conducted, reaching every
district.
! AS for better means of communion
tion between the districts and towns
of the islands, the commission has al
ready made a beginning. With the
exception of the 100 miles of railway
between Manila and Dagupan the
Spaniards did nothing in all the 300
years of their occupation to assist
transportation. Even the wagon
roads were eXecrable and often in,-
passable. The cost of bringing hemp
lumber, rice, fruits, nuts or any other
produce to the seaports and cities
was tenfold greater than it need to
have been. 1t almost seems to have
been the Spanish policy to keep the
natives poor and impoverished and to
prevent the development of the vast
resources of the islands. But now all
is to be changed. The military govern
ment made beginning and the pres
ent civil commission has mapped out
program of bodybuilding that will
more than pay for itself in the bet
terment of industrial conditions in a
very few years. For the construction
and repair of roads S2,0O0,OO0 has been
set aside and on Wednesday last at a
public session the distribution of this
sum thruout the archipelago was dis
cussed with the Filipinos and others
acquainted with the needs.
In accepting the presidency of the
commission Judge Taft states that he
hoped that within the two years
during which he consented
to serve SO much progress
would be made toward the do
velopment of the islands that the fu-
ture of the work would be assured.
The promptness and energy with
which the commission has attacked
the problems before it is an indica.
ton that if Judge Taft's hope is not
fulfilled it will not be the fault CT the
commission, but of influences which
the commission cannot control, such
as a hostile congress or executive.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
attention now. Do no. let the proro-
sition fail to carry thru your neg 4
genCe.

If there were no presidential cam
paign now we would probably witness
the same unification of views over the
action OF the president of the United
States in upholding the honor of the
American flag and the dignity of the
American nation in China that was
witnessed when we went to war with
Spain two years ago. 1t is simply be-
cause one party desires to
play politics that it derides
the party in power for doing
what every right-thinlSing man knows
should have been done, and what only
the most partisan persons dare to crit
icise. A pretty good plan to follow is:
In foreign affairs there should be uni
ty; partisanship should be left to do
nestle policies. The party that OPP
poses any action taken by an admins
tration to uphold the dignity of Amer
leans abroad and to make the flag of
t. 9 nation respected wherever it floats,
will not be successful. The presidents
Chinese policy has been SO far above
j reproach that any hint of criticism will
be sure to disgust patriotic citizens of
the United States.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
The democrats are trying to curr

The democrats are trying to curry
favor with the old soldiers and try
ing to make capital out of the admin
istration of the pension office, when
as matter Of fact, under the present
administration, every soldier who was
possibly entitled to a pension under
the laws has been given it. More than
that, the work of the Office has been
fastened much more than it has been
under previous administrations, and
thousands of cases have been examin-
ed and adjusted which we're hung up
during the entire administration Of
the democratic president. Besides,
the republican party has stood as
sponsor for liberal pension legislation.
which could not be allowed under the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

Since the democratic days of 1894,
there has been an increase of 2,109,-
SAT bank depositors in the whole Uni
ted States.
This number more people have had
money to deposit during Mckinley
prosperity.
The total amount of money depos-
tied to the credit of the people was
$2,974, $50, 406 in 1894.
In 1899 it was $4,6O8, 096,0O5, show
ing an increase of almost one and
three quarter billions of dollars to
the credit of the people who had bank
accounts in the five years since the
country was suffering the agonies OF
a democratic administration.
Not only has there been this vast
increase in the aggregate amount OF
money placed in the banks, but the
average amount of each bank account
has increased from $500, in 1894, to
an average of S602 per bank account
in 1899
Who will say that the promises Of
the republican party have not been
fulfilled?
Who will say that the advance agent
of prosperity has not visited the
American people under the republican
administration of President Nc.
kinley?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

Prof. Frederick Starr of the depart
ment of anthropology in the Universe
ty Of Chicago, believes that the Amer
lean people are becoming Indians and
will eventually revert to the aborigin-
al type. His theory is that racial diff
ferences are due to physical and eli
matte conditions of the different con-
tinents, and that the same conditions
which make Indians Of the earliest in
habitants of America will produce a
like result among the present inhabi-
tantS
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

Never before in the history of pres
idential campaigns have the support
ers of candidate been asked to be.
lieve that the platform means the re.
verse of what it says. The democrats
argue that Bryan will not do anything
to advance the cause of silver, as he
has promised to do. They are also
being convinced that he would not re.
tire the army from the Philippines as
he has promised. Such an anomal.
GUS condition should not beget conf
dence
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
The Springfield Republican is a

The Springfield Republican is an
anti-McKinley paper. 1t recently ex-
amined carefully all the religious pub
locations to see which presidential
candidate they favored. 1t found
them all for Mckinley, in spite Of
the fact that Mr.. Bryan-s friends have
been parading the fact that their can
didate is an active church member
and that these same men have been
making much of Mr.. McKinleys at
titude on the canteen question. The
editors of religious papers seemed to
think that it is safer TO retain McKin-
ley as president because he is man
of firmer principle than Mr.. Bryan.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

regular laws, and only during the last
session of congress the rules OF the
house were changed SO that demo
cratic flilibusters from the southern
states could not hold up the evening
pension sessions when there was no
quorum present and prevent the pas
sage of acknowledged meritorious
bills. 1t is too late for the democrats
to try to make any point with the old
soldiers, for these voters know who
were their friends from the close OF
the war to the present time.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27
ottumwa will he known abroad hers.

Ottumwa will be known abroad here
after as the cultured, commercial city
and manufacturing center of Iowa with
one Of the finest public libraries in the
country and the best public schools of
any city of the same size in the state.
The Ottumwa visitor abroad will here
after be asked about this city's mag
nificent public library, instead of
Stormy Jordan's once notorious R.
n H
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

Hon. William Sulzer is keeping re-
markably quiet these times; so quiet
that he hasn't yet explained what has
become Of that leftover s1S. the relic
of the Washington City pro-Boer exhi-
bition understood to have been in Mr..
Suffers possession at last accounts.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

The generosity of George Fred Will
liams is no narrow-guaged affair. In
addition to giving Bryan Massachu-
sets he has also given him Iowa. By
and by, if Willie is good, Uncle George
may fill his apron full of safe republic
can states.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

AS the campaign advances it be-
comes more and more evident that
the friends of good government, true
patriotism, sound money and protec-
ton to American interests are uniting
to oppose those who stand for the re-
verse of these civic virtues.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

1t is not likely that the Presbyte-
rian creed will be changed for many
years to come. The various presby-
teries, which are meeting nowadays,
are almost all voting against any
change in the Westminster confess
sion of faith. Yet while the church
as an organization clings so tena-
ciously to the creed, the latter is
practically a dead letter. The lay
membership of the church is not re-
quired to subscribe to the creed at
all.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

"If there is any one who believes
the gold standard is a good thing, or
that 1t must be maintained, warn
him not to cast his vote for me be-
cause promise him 1t will not be
maintained in this country longer than
4 am able to get rid of it."-Hon. Viii
liam Jennings Bryant Knoxville, Tenn,
Sept. 10, 1895.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

What denounce," said William j.
Bryan when congressman, sis pro-
tective tariff; it is false economy and
the most vicious political principle
that has ever cursed this country"
Since then the gold standard was the
most vicious, and now imperialism is
the most vicious principle that ever
cursed this country.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

The imperial dominion of Tamany
Hall over the destiny of the city OF
New York is pledged to liberty for all
people who will contribute to their UNI
interrupted access to the tax receipts.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-27

Davenport and Muscatine accepted
gifts of public library buildings this
year and were glad of the chance. Du-
buque will accept her proposition next
month. Shall Ottumwa lag behind
these progressive sister cities?