Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-28

y ~SA-LA - 6SeN 1O :
enforced until public sentiment has
changed greatly.
In theory it is all right to insist that
as much care should be taken in rails
ing children as in raising stock, but the
Stock breeders have a greater control
over animals than the authorities have
over men and women. The compari-
son cannot be carried out into practic-
al life, for human beings are more in.
dependent. In this country they make
laws for themselves, but the animals
have laws made for them. The officers
who enforce the law are not selfap-
pointed guardians of the public vel
fare but are the servants chosen to do
the will of the people. All this talk OF
controlling the propagation of the hui
man species as that of the animals Is
controlled sounds well in theory but it
is fmpracticable except as there is a
public sentiment supporting measures
tending to such results, and if such
sentiment exists then there lis little
use of such legal enactments.
Men often show more sense in
matching their horses than in match
ing themselves and yet it would, be
silly to attempt by legislative &C.
ton to make them exercise the same
wisdom in one case as they use in the
other. The horses are better matched
because they have nothing to say
about It, They are hitched up regard
less of their own wishes or desires. In
human matchmaking laws of all kinds
are generally forgotten and impulses
and emotions cause reason to take a
back seat. Legislatures may to some
extent restrict the unfit marriages but
such marriages as their new laws are
aimed at are already largely restricted
by prevailing sentiment and Individual
good sense. Then, too, there are 9th
er than physical and mental causes OF
unftness. There are as many unhappy
marriages, human misery and public
expense caused by moral weaknesses
and diseases as by physical or mental
ones. There is no way of restricting
such unless open criminality is shown
The problem is to big one to be
solved by the methods used in the
barnyard or by the rules set down in
the stock books. The mating of human
beings involves more than the consid-
Grafton of the mind and the body. The
controlling of human beings in gov
eminent of their own making and I'M
der laws and officers of their own
choosing is far different from the con-
troll OF animals who are subject to the
will of masters more intelligent than
themselves.-Co Council Bluffs Nonpareil.
It May Be Shaw. Whats the mat
ter with Shaw, anyhow" says the
Washington Press suggesting that,
after all, he may be the most available
man for governor. There's nothing
the matter with Shaw, except that he's
liable to be president of the United
States some day. AS that would be
the first time the presidency ever
came to an Iowan, the people Of this
state are not going to sit up nights
contriving ways to ward of the hon
or. On the contrary, the presidential
possibility is SO attractive they are
liable to do almost anything that will
promote it. And thus it is that iowa
republicans are in a frame of mind to
do the unexpected il thereby they
could gain political vantage ground at
Washington. But of course, this Is
conjectural view OF possibilities with
enough ofrthe probable in it to war
rant the Washington Press atln,oni-
ton to keep an eye on Shaw. Bur
iington Hawkeye.
The Noble Work Of Reform. Mr..
Cummins, by snap primaries and snap
conventions; by trampling upon party
urages and the rights OF others, has
carried four or five counties that were
counted from the first in the Cummins
column. But he did not have the
walk-over he hoped for and which I'M
der the circumstances, might have
been anticipated. Onefhird OF the
vote of Polk county polled for Sidney
A. Foster was an unpleasant reminder
to him that his own county is In a
sturdy rebellion against his machine.
And he has paid dearly for his
achievements In Dallas and Polk coun-
ties. The ruthless and wholly unjusti-
fable methods pursued In these coun-
ties ought to thoroughly open the eyes
of the republicans Of the state to the
danger that threatens the party. For
the voters, irrespective of political
affiliations, will not countenance or
tolerate the INSCRIPTIONS measures
now being resorted to to force his can
didacy upon the party. The public
conscience is being aroused; and pub.
lie sentiment Is the ultimate power
in politics. 1t Is humiliating to discov-
er that such methods could find an IN
ftiation In a state heretofore happily
free from them.
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