Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-15

OF the treasury, together with mention
of favorable and complimentary
character.
Hon. James G. Blythe, of Mason
City, has been in Washington and the
east several days, called thither upon
a business mission in connection with
the affairs of corporation, which Mr..
Blythe represents in a legal way. Nat
urally M. Blythe has been piled with
questions concerning the political sit.
uatiop in the fourth district, where he
is a candidate for nomination for con-
gress.
Mr.. Blythe seems to be hopeful that
he may win the prize when the con.
vention shall be held and the forces
line up. Four years ago he came
within a dozen or so votes of winning
the nomination against Thomas Upde-
graft, the latter lacking 35. Mr. Hau-
gen, controlled some As votes in the
convention. The antagonism between
Mr.. Blythe and Mr.. Updegraff was SO
intense and their strength so nearly
equal, that after balloting until tired
out, as a compromise Mr.. Haugen, who
held the balance of power, received
sufficient votes to nominate. At the
present time the number of candidates
is indeterminate. Fayette county is
said to have two or three possible can
didate, but aside from this Messrs.
Blythe and Haugen are the only can
didates throughout the district AS
each candidate resides in the extreme
west end of the district there will be
no geographical advantage to either in
| the canvas. Mr.. Haugen is Gin and
doubtless has machine upon which
he depends for support, while Mr..
| Blythe has something of an organiza-
| ton himself. He is one of the finest
political organizers in Iowa and very
popular and magnetic character. Mr..
Blythe takes the view that he has lost
none of his 1898 strength and that he
will likely make some gains in certain
sections of the district. The conven-
ton will probably not be called before
July and possibly not until August.
Congressman Haugen says that so far
as he is concerned it is really inmate
rial when the date is set for; he is
ready at any time.
1t is no secret that the house lead
ers are apprehensive of the result of
the proposition to reduce the Dingley
duties on sugar twenty per cent for
the benefit of Cuba, when the ques-
ton comes before the house.
1t has been decided that no rule
governing the consideration of this
bill will be brought in. The speaker
will be depended upon to handle the
. matter as it develops. The program
of the beet sugar, anti-concessionists
L 10 o.
diately upon presentation of the bill
to offer amendments which shall pro-
vide for a reduction Of the Dingley
tariff schedules on refined sugar
glass, steel and possibly other goods
Right at this point will occur the
squeeze; the first real test in which
the whole house participates.
The speaker will rule that these
amendments are not germane; that
they have no place upon bill of the
;, character under consideration. Ol
course there will be a dissension from
this ruling. An appeal will be taker
from the decision of the chair. Ii the
anti-concessionists are able to muster
a majority then they have won the
day
Congressman Tawney of Minnesota
who is practically the head of the op
position to the President and the ways
and means committee, is understood
to claim that about forty republicans
may be depended upon to take issue
with the speaker upon this question
1t is said the precedents in relation
to the position of the speaker are al
on his side save one, and that not vel
, defined. 1t appears that when Jane!
G. Blaine was speaker of the house
: that a question similar in import tt
the one under consideration, arose.
!, was whether or not bill could b.
amended by a revenue amendment
!, Mr.. Blaine never decided the ques
ton. He said he thought perhaps i
might be germane, but was not sur,
and would permit the matter to b.
determined by the house.
In support of the contention tina
amendments providing for the reduc
ton of the steel and glass schedule
: in the Dingley tariff laws are germane
: the Tawney faction will doubtless re
l fer to this ruling or rather the state
ment of Mr.. Blaine as the preceden
! for a similar ruling on the part O
/ Speaker Henderson. OF course tn
e house, as a whole will constitute tn
! Jury in this interesting discussion
The action of the senate in case tn
> Payne bill passes, is problematical.
). has been claimed that the senat
: would increase the reduction rs or 3
: per cent, but very prominent and il
Il iiuential senator is quoted as havin
said in private that he thought tn
Il sentiment in the senate was driftin
e towards the house bill and that it wa
u quite likely that bill, with very Sigh
: changes would pass the senate.
r There was held recently at the HI
@ tel Hamilton, in the parlors of Repr'
d sentative and Mrs. Conner of Iowa,
e gathering of members of the Iowa de
It'll egation in congress, to listen to Mis-
lei Matilda Smedley, who set forth in
convincing manner, the history an
j. merits of an American National Inst
Is the name sometimes given to wha
is generally known as the BAD DIS
A & ia