Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-17
Likely Get Distributive Share of
Public Buildings.
FORECAST is AN IllPOSSIBILITY
Unlikely That Des Mones Will Get
100000 for Its Proposed Public
Edifice--Money May Be Appropriate
ed to Buy Ground.
Nashin gtnn. Anril Ii

will likely report an omnibus bill the
latter part of next week. There are
eight or ten Iowa cities and towns
very much interested in that bill, but
1t is impossible to give anything like
forecast OF what municipalities will
strike an appropriation. There is
probably NO bill coming before con-
gress in which the contents and pro-
visions are SO carefully guarded as in
this bill. Self protection has taught
the members OF the committee that
absolute silence is the price OF peace.
II it should become known that one
town in q state would get a building
and that another, perhaps equally de-
serving would not, the committee
would Immediately have all sorts of
trouble on its hands. The citizens OF
the town omitted would go after their
congressman and the congressman
would jump onto the committee, not
only in person, but through all the col
leagues he could master; it would be
a fight Of the last extremity, and they
are always bitteTcst As this same
situation would occur in perhaps TWEEN
ty states, the committee would find
itself in deep, hot water. Not only
that, but the disgruntlad ones would
have time to organize q little COM
bine and might beat some Of the COM
mittee, recommendations. After the
bill is reported there is not sufficient
time for towns to set action before the
bill is passed
Iowa Will Fare Well.
However, it is believed, with good
reason, that Iowa will fare we'll in the
distribution. 1t is very unlikely that
Des Moines will get her appropriation
of S1.000000 for public building. In
fact, were such an appropriation made
1t would shut out every other city in
the state. 1t is quite probable how
ever, that an appropriation providing
for the purchase of land for public
building in Des Moines may be made
at this session. 1t is understood this
will be quite satisfactory under the
circumstances.
Hope to Hypnotic Committee.
Judge Conner says the committee
has been asked to go to Richmond.
Va, this afternoon, and may so, in
which event Judge Conner will accom-
pany the committee. The chief city
of the "Old Dominion wants a new
federal building, and hopes to hyp-
notice the committee.
Will Fight for kembe.
However, it is understood that
State Chairman Weaver numbers Con-
gressmen Hedge, Hull, Hepburn,
Smith and Lacey, among his warm
supporters, leaving Capt. Rumple hope
lessly in the minority. There is an in
timation that Capt. Rumple will make
hard fight for Mr. Kemble in the
caucus, and, failing, in that, will take
the matter up to the President.
Whether this action will be taken by
Congressman Rumple cannot be said
at this time.
Hull Not Worried About Prouty.
Congratulations and Fluctuations
for Congressman Hull have changed to
queries, following the alleged deter.
mination of Judge Prouty to follow up
the advantage rather unexpectedly
handed to him by the republicans OF
Story county. On this account inter.
est in the matter has been revived
and the outcome will be awaited with
keen interest. Capt Hull does not ap
pear to be worried or apprehensive
over the outlook. He says he has nc
doubt but that his friends will be able
to carry not only the one county YET
needed. but more than one county: ir
fact Mr.. Hull is not disposed to accord
Judge Prouty another vote.
Honor Ex-loWan.
Public Printer Frank w. Palmer
who still considers himself an Iowan
is the Oldest living ex-member of the
house committee on appropriations
One day this week he had occasion tt
appear before the committee in connec
ton with some estimates in relation
to the government printing office, anG
during the conference, Congressman
McRae, OF Arkansas, a democrat, who
has been in the house for twenty-five
years, offered motion that MI. Pal
mer be elected an honorary member
of the present committee on appropria
tons. Chairman Cannon put the mo
ton and it carried unanimously anG
Mr.. Palmer was declared a member OF
the committee.
Praise for Palmer.
In this connection it may be SAID
that there is no longer any talk of any
other mau for the position of public
printer. 1t is said that in times past
there have been hints of rake-offs an6
commissions, ETC., but it has come tc
be generally recognized and acknowl
edged that under the regime of Mr.
Palmer every cent saved goes into the
public treasury; there has never beer
a suspicion of whisper against his ad
ministration of this great enterprise
Mr.. Palmer is proud Of Iowa and hel
greatness and right here is a splendit
opportunity for an example of recipro
city. Mr.. Palmer is an ideal publ,
printer.
Washington, April 10.
Very rarely does it happen that {
piece of legislation finds absolutely
smooth sailing in congress. Congress
man Lacey is the author of measure
which had this delightful experience
this week, having been taken up ant
considered and the bill passed with
out a dissenting voice being heard OF
either side of the chamber.
This bill was to prevent the wantor
destruction Of game in the territory
0f Alaska IT. is NOT Darticu ia rI,, cry