Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-04
Practically Decided Bowen is
to be Speaker.
EATON HAS LOST VOTES
The Identification OF His Campaign
With That Of Mr. Cummins Loses
Him Much sapport-Town-
er is for Bowen.

SSheSoe was pAdStlSdlly SettlSu yeSteT-
day. DR.. Bowen, the Gear candidate
for speaker, will certainly be elected.
1t seems no longer possibility that
the shrewdest politicians Of the state,
who are among his supporters, can be
deceived in the outcome. Mr.. Eaton
has unquestionably lost votes since it
was clearly demonstrated that the pur-
poses of his campaign are identical
with those of Mr.. Cummins'. Nearly
all of the Gear men who had given
conditional pledges to Mr.. Eaton have
now lined up with Mr.. Bowen. They
have done this because they are con-
WINGED that to vote for Mr.. Eaton is
an indirect vote for Mr.. Cummins.
Those who had made what they con-
sidered pledges to Mr.. Eaton, have ask
to be released from them. There have
been large number of accessions to
the Gear-Bowen forces. The Cummins
supporters have, up to yesterday,
counted all, or nearly all, of the doubt
full ones in their column, but they are
convinced now, and it is evident to the
public, that that sort of bluff will not
obtain. Among the many who have
aligned themselves in the Bowen col
umn are DR.. Hawk of Jasper county,
who was claimed by the Cummins peo-
pie on account of his living in an adj
'oinino county, and upon pretext of
neighborly relation. He has announce
ed himself positively a supporter of
Mr.. Bowen. Hon. ]. p. Lyman of
Poweshiek has also announced himself
at his home as favorable to Mr.. Bowen
for speaker. Hon. James Wilson of
Keokuk county disposed of the ques-
tion some time ago, by announcing to
the Cummins managers at Des Moines,
that his constituents We're for Gear,
and, for that reason he would support
Gear and Bowen. This rialsess t he
Sixth $ district solid s in the Bowen
column. DIR. G. w. Hinkle, represent.
ative from Wayne county. expressed
surprise on arriving at Dies Moines that
there had been any discussion in re-.
gard to his attitude. He is solid and
cordial for Mr.. Bowen. Hon. w. D..
Bleakmore of Taylor county has been.
claimed by the Cummins supporters,
He saws that he is an ndnirer of Mr..
Cummins, but does not admire the
methods of his supporters. More than
that, he is satisfied a large majority of
the republicans of his county are for
Senator Gear, and that he will vote
for DIR. Bowen for speaker. Represent
arive g. NJ. Purnam of Pottawattamie
county has been claimed by the Cum
Minis people. Mr.. Putnam said yes.
| terday: 81 am for Bowen and all that
Bowen stands for"
| A petition circulated at the Soldiers
Home at ,iarshalltown, indicates very
clearly the sentiment of the old soldiers
of the state on the senatorial question.
| The signers are for Gear as against
| Cummins, twenty 10 one. The same
sentiment among veterans is indicated
| by the presence at Des Moines of a
| larger number of Grand Army buttons
| than has been seen in the hotel lob
| bies here for years. e
The DR.. Eiker episode has furnished
considerable innocent amusement the
past day or two. The doctor has evident
lly become a little bit mixed up rs to
the exact attitude he wishes to hold in
| the present contest. Both sides are
positively claiming him, and it would
| appear that he has given both sides
/ some evidences for their claims. The
doctor will probably settle down quiet
| ly aud decide what he wants to do
without any further public demonstra-
tion. Hon. w. d. Towner of Floyd
county has been claimed by the Cum
minis people, but is strongly and posi-
lively supporter OF Gear and Bowen
and so advised Mr.. Bowen several DAYS
AGO. Mr.. Towner's position is signif-
cant, as he lives in an adjoining county
to -..r. Eaton. 1t is not yet known def
nitely when the republican caucus to
nominate speaker will be held. The
precedent for the last twenty-fo,ir
years would fix the time at either Fri
day or Saturday night. The question
must be settled by the members them
selves. The Bowen supporters indi-
catc no particular choice as to when
the caucus shall be held. They are
absolutely confident and sai, they are
ready for the test at any time.
Death of X. r. Rowland.
Galesburg, ILL.,, Jan. 4.-James X. p.