Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-14
Lacey Pleased,

his head.
Lacey Pleased.
A decision of the California federal
court is particularly pleasing to Con-
gresham Lacey, the verdict being
against Judge Noyes. For months
Major Lacey has urged the removal
of Noyes and change in the judicial
conditions in the extreme northwest,
which it is claimed were a stencil in
the nostrils Of civilization. Said Major
Lacey, speaking of the matter:
There is nothing like it in all the ju-
dicial history of the country; judges
have gotten into trouble and some
have been impeached but as far as
am aware there is no previous record
of Judge having been heavily fined
as Noyes has been. The peculiar
thing about the case is the influence
that Frost, the special agent, had in
staving off action by the department.
i l visited Attorney General Griggs
some months ago, before he went out
of office. to talk over the evidence, but
Frost had sent such reports to the de-
Epartment that found my way blocked
for time. 1 saw General Griggs lat
er and by that time was able to pre-
sent evidence that shook his faith in
Frost. l have no interest whatever in
the selection of Noyes' successor save
that he be good Judge"
The department of justice has expe-
rienced no end of difficulty in hand
ling affairs coming within it's jurisdic-
ton in Alaska, but this is but one of
the instances.
Animated Picture in the House.
A picture presenting all the attri-
butes of swift action, fire, intensity,
comedy, sarcasm, humor, pathos and
in fact everything in the catalogue
known to the drama, save tragedy, was
presented in the House of Represen-
tatives Tuesday and Wednesday, DUR
ing the debate upon the Hepburn canal
bill. OF course, uncle Pete" Hep
burn was the central figure in this pic
ture, the star actor, and that he play
ed his part well goes without saying.
He stood in the center of the republi-
can side of the chamber, nearly every
seat on that side being occupied. The
democratic side was practically desert
ed but the democrats were not in the
cloak rooms; they We're standing in
the aisles and in front, pressing close
SO as to catch every word uttered.
Not for several sessions has there
been such an informal, free-for-all,
rough-and-tumble debate in the com
mittee of the whole house, as upon
these days. Mr.. Hepburn opened the
argument, occupying something over
an hour, then he was interrupted with
a question, and then for four solid
hours each day it was hot question
and hot reply.
The House is almost unanimous in
favor of a canal, but the appearance
Of the Panama proposition, in the
form of tender on the basis of $40,
100000 has altered the situation, TAX,
en- in connection with the report OF
Admiral Walker offthe canal investi
eating commission. A large number
of members suddenly awoke to the
fact that there might be two sides OF
branches to the canal proposition, and
they became eager for knowledge In
a matter of this sort, what hundred
men will not think of in the way OF
"details and queries involving every
possible phase of the proposition, is
not worth considering. And this was
just what was done. The question Of
one congressman would suggest an
other phase to another, SO that Hep
UuIl lldu NAL d uOZSu men on Cn0ll
feet ready to fire volley of questions
all the time.
1t is doubtful if there is another
man in congress who could have
emerged from the conflict in goot
form as did Col. Hepburn. 1t is eyer
conceded in Washington that no othel
man could have anywhere near helt
his own. However,, Mr.. Hepburn new
err lacked for reply. At every turf
he seemed Just ready for the particu
lar question asked, and frequentl,
would make an inquiry in reply which
placed the first questioner at a decid
ed disadvantage. The situation wal
, most difficult and trying and Mr. Hep
|: burn. whether his bill shall become
law at this session or subsequently, o
not at all, has added greatly to his al
ready great fame as the mightiest de
batter and rough-and-tumb antagon
, list in congress. Frank J. Stillman.
. President Roosevelt has signed tn
parcels post agreement with Bolivia