davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

bered years and the actions of thS
body, which recently adjourned, weN
this year more than of usual impo1,
lance. Aside from the election a
Senator Allison to sixth term, per
haps the most significant action, af
though apparently uninteresting, wal
the levy of a 4-mifl tax, the highea
levied since Iowa became state. Thu
legislators finally had to face square
ly a disagreeable situation. TheI
saw, as their predecessors for YEAR
had seen, that with their usual Lew
the growing state with it's growing IL
situations could not remain solvent
Bankruptcy had stared the state i,
the face for dozen years, and th}
only relief had been achieved by push
ing off the day of reckoning a Ionf
way into the future. This is the favor
lite system resorted to in many a cit
in this country, so fearful are city q
ficials of the wrath of the voters con
sequent on an increase of taxes But
the idea of prodigiously rich state
like Iowa figuring in the newspape6y
of the country as bankrupt was tx
absurd and the legislature clapped on
the new taxation.
of taxation was the liberal action taxi
en- by the legislators toward the state
educational institutions, especially tho
state university. The school has beer
hampered throughout its existence BIZ
niggardly treatment by the state. and
as consequence has made slow pro.
gress in comparison with such far
famed institutions as Michigan. Wis
n
whose legislatures have been gener
ous., This short-sighted economy ha,
been due to some extent to the zeal
ousy of almost numberless sectariap
colleges in Iowa, whose trustees have
striven against fair treatment toward
the university. Among other injurie,
visited on it they accuse it of beina
an "infdel institution" Latterly, how,
ever, these critics and enemies have
reformed the narrowness of their Wis,
ion and the states generosity this yeaI
has been the result.
. Among the hard-fought measures OF
the session was bill allowing rail
roads to incur unlimited Indebtedness.
This bill was passed by the legislature.
but was vetoed by Gov. Cummins.
who was said to owe his election to
the railroads Gas he had been the lead.
ing attorney for one of the great state
lines for years., but in his veto hid
showed independence of their desires.
Nothing revolutionary was done, nrr
merous bills with socialistic tendencies
were killed and even the attempt to
change the congressional boundaries.
which have remained the, same for
twenty years, was abandoned. Iowa
showed herself in her recent legislat-
i've session to be what she claimed al
ways to be, a steady, sober, but pro-
gressive state.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
MAJOR LACEY.

In answer to a contemporaries
query as to what Hon. John F. Lacey,
congressman from this district, has
done for his constituents, the Bloom-
field Republican says:
"About the first thing he did in con-
nection with his present position was
to redeem the sixth district from the
hands of the Weaverites and for ten
years has held it safely in the repub-
| lican column. Then he helped to pass
the Mckinley bill which brought the;
country to the highest plat nof pros
perity ever. known prior to the cleo
ito nof President Mckinley.
"In 1896 and ever since he has stood
like stone wall against Organism and
| the pernicious doctrines of the demo-
cratic party.
| "He helped to pass the present f.
nancial and tariff laws which brought
the country out Of the panic caused
by unwiser democratic laws and poll
cies and placed it upon a firm and
prosperous footing which in short has
added from $40 to $40 per acre to the
value Of every acre of land in the Mis-
sissippi valley, Davis county included.
t'He has helped many soldier and
| soldiers widow to secure a pension
and has been tried and true friend
| to4the, boys in blue.
..,stssHe helped to establish the present
rural mail delivery system which car
lriesatdaiIy mail to thousands of farm.
ers every day and will eventually car
ry it to practically every home in the
land, a thing which the democratic adj
ministration ATTEMPTED to discourage
and defeat.
There is no more. Industrious mem
Der in either branch Of congress than
Major Lacey and but few men in eth
er branch who by their colleagues are
regarded as the equal of our represen-
| tatiYe.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
AGRICULTURE in IOWA.

A bulletin Of the twelfth census of
the United States has just been pub
llshed by the director of the census,
relating to Agriculture in Iowa, and
the Courier has compiled the follow
ing from this bulletin which will be of
interest to all classes of readers:
Iowa has total land surface of So
AIS square miles, or 5,504 900 acres, Of
which 34,574,337 acres are included in
farms or 97.4 per cent.
The total number of acres inproy.
ed in 1900, was 29,S97 ,552: of unim-
proved, 4.676,7S5. The number of
I farms in 1900, was 22S,622, which
: was 1872 per cent greater than in 1890.
The farms in 1900 June 1, had value
of $1,497 ,544,790. OF this amount
$24O,S02,S10, OF 16.1 per cent, repre-
sents the value of buildings, and ST.
256, ISL $50, or 1873 per cent the value
of land and of improvements other
than buildings. On the same date the
value of farm implements and machin-
cry was $57,960,660, and of live stock,
$27S,830,096. These values, added to
that of farms, give $1,S34,345,546, the
. total value of farm property"
The products derived from domestic
animals, poultry, and bees, including
animals sold and slaughtered on farms
are referred to in this bulletin as "ani.
NAL products" The total value Of all
such products, together with the value
of all crops, is termed total value OF
farm products" This value for 1893
was $685., All ,52s, of which amount
$169,S5S,981, or 46.5 per cent repre-
sents the value of animal products, and
$195,552,547, or 53.5 per cent, the value
of crops, including forest products
The total value of farm products for
1899 exceeds that for 1889 by $780,.
063, 684, or 1898 per cent. A part oil
to a more detailed enumeration in
1900 than in 1890.
The number of farms operated by
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
CAUSES OF VOLCANOES.

Volcanic eruptions are caused by
pent-up steam and gases. Deep in the
earth there is supposed to be COIL
slant state of combustion going on,
and this produces gas, which is ex-
plosive under certain conditions, or
when it cannot have vent through the
crevices of the rocks. 1t is believed
by some that there is a system of
circulation in the earth's interior
through which these gases are normal
ly distributed and being thus dissipa-
ted great explosions are avoided. 1t is
when suhtcrranean passage connect
ed with the sea or large body of wa
ter breaks through and leads to the
internal fires, that the greatest erup-
tons take place. 1t is believed that
such has been the case at Mount Pc
lee. This will give faint idea of the
tremendous forces that are evoked
when volume of sea water
pours like cataract into seething
mass of molten rock at great depths
into confined space The effect would
be instantaneous. If there be any
where within the locality a weak
place, there the force will be expend-
ed. Volcanoes are therefore safety
valves of the earth; if there were no
eruptions there would be violent earth
quakes that would shake a continent.
Dreadful catastrophies take place,
such as in Martinique, because men ig-
more the danger signal that nature dis
plays wherever there are slumbering
volcanoes. The mountain smokes, in
dicating that there is a chimney that
communicates with the awful fires be-
meath. There may be months, years
or series of years that intervene be-
tween eruptions of a violent character,
but they are at all times possible and
it may be said, probable. The city of
st. Pierre was built in reckless disre-
gard of natures warning and Of past
experience. Indeed the entire island
is subject to overthrow and perma-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

The beef packers, who are involved
in the injunction cases at Chicago, say
that the Presidents action in the mat.
ter will recoil on him and his admins
tration. When the people of this coun-
try are ready to- condemn President
for enforcing the laws of congress
then they will condemn Mr.. Roosevelt.
The American people are not made
that way, however. They commend
the President for all that he has done
even though he may have been mis-
taken which is far from being proven.
A court always considers intent.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20


President of Nurses Association Waterfowl, NY.
most distressing cases of Inflammation
and liberation of the ovaries and womb.
/ have known that doctors used Lydia
e. Pinkham's Vegetable Com
pound when everything else failed
with their patients. / have advised my
patients and friends to use it and have
yet to hear of it's first failure to cure.
g Four years ago had falling of the
womb from straining in lifting heavy
patient, and knowing of the value Of
your Compound 1 began to use it at
once, and in six weeks was well once
more, and have had no trouble since.
am most pleased to have had an oppor-
tunity to say few words in praise Of
your Vegetable Compound, and shall
take every occasion to recommend -
MISS VIRGINIA CRANES. 5000 forfeit II
oboue Testimonial is not genuine.
Lydia T.. Pinkham's Vegetable
Compound has stood the test of
time, and has cured thousands.
Mrs. Pinkham advises sick wO-
men free. Address, Lynps Mass.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

owners has increased 1903 or SIS per
cent since 1880 while the total num-
Der of farms has increased 23.3 per
cent, resulting in a decrease in the
per cent. of farms operated by owners.
The total number of tenant-operated
farms has increased 80.5 per cent
Aside from this increase. there has
been another remarkable change. The
number of cash tenants is over five
times as great as in 1880. while in the
same time the number of share ten
ants has decreased lis per cent. In
1880. 500 per cent of all tenants were
share tenants; in 1890, Sc per cent,
and in 1900, 44.2 per cent. This
charge is believed to be the result of
growing sentiment on the part of
both landlord and tenant in favor Of
the cash-payment system, and indi-
Gates greater independence and finan-
cial responsibility on the part of the
tenant class as whole.
The value of the farm property of
the colored farmers is $S21,S77. Of
this amount, $7S3,377 represents the
property of negroes, and $3S,500 that
Of Indians.
Farms operated by owners have the
smallest average area, 1882 acres,
while those operated by managers have
the largest, 315.6. Many of the latter
are adjuncts of public institutions,
While others are conducted by wealthy
individuals in connection with their
summer homes.
OF the total land surface of Iowa,
All per cent, or nearly one-half, was
devoted to cereals in 1899, corn alone
covering over one-fourth. The i'm
mense possibilities of a great corn
crop may be conjectured in realizing
that one fourth of the total land sur.
face will probably be planted to corn
this year.
The total number of fruit trees
in the state more than doubled in the
last decade, having increased from A.
.197,913 to 9.950,132. The number of
apple trees increased 1877 per cent.
The number of plum and prune trees
reported in 1900 was nearly five times
as great as in 1890; peach trees in
creased over six fold and pear trees
over eight fold.
The total value of the grape crop, in
Guiding the value of 76301 gallons of
wine made on farms, was $166,360.
Nursery stock valued at $619,092 was
raised in 1899 by 23s farmers, 104 of
whom derived their principal income
from that source, reporting product
of $591, 531, or 95.5 per cent of the to-
tai.
In Wapello county on June /, 1900,
there were 2,311 farms with 2,2S7
buildings with farm acreage
of improved lands of 20S,S4
acres. The lands in this coun-
ty are valued at $9,2S2,25O and the
buildings at $1,965,5SO. Implements
and machinery, valued at S404,S4O.
Live stock, valued at $2,141,O02.
Inasmuch as the general census re-
ports will not be published for several
monts and will then have but limit
ed circulation, the value of this COM
pilation will be apparent.
The census was completed June 1,
1900. The census department has
since that time been busily engaged
in compiling the reports and has from
time to time issued such bulletins as
the one from which this compilation
has been made.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

The Nicaragua canal route has re-
ceived decided backset from the re-
cent disasters in the West Indies. 1t
was there terribly demonstrated that
a slumbering volcano cannot be trust
ed. The Nicaragua route is beset with
quiescent VOLCANOES that have hereto
fore been in a state of violent eruption
and may break out at any time. Pru-
dence suggests that it would not be
wise for this government to expend
$200,000,000 on an enterprise depend
ent upon such contingencies. A vol
cano or an earthquake could destroy
the canal or render Lake Nicaragua
unnavigable within five minutes.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

ers and fruit growers in and around
Waverly planted from 1000 to $4,000
strawberry plants this spring. The
ground was in perfect condition when
the plants were set out, and are all
growing. The early May rains are CIV
ing them a great start. One man told
us that he set out $4,000 plants and
he could not see that there was one
missing. Another said he bought and
set out 1000 plants, and on Monday he
actually counted 1900 growing plants
on the patch. The last one, however,
may have some time taken lessons
from the circulation liar. But it is a
fact that plants set out in April are do
ing well.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.
Story Was WRONG.

The Cedar Rapids Republican has.
tens to correct the report that Judge
Remley had held sweet cider to be in.
toxicating. IF Judge Remley had ren.
dered the decision he is credited, or
rather charged, with rendering" says
the Republican, 'he ought to be in an
insane asylum instead of on the bench
He might as well say that apples are
intoxicating. The decision of Judge
Remley did not touch on sweet cider.
AS a matter of fact no final decision
has been rendered. Judge Remley is
not going to make fool Of himself"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

The world wide sympathy express
ed in a substantial way for the strick-
en- people of Martinique, certifies to the
real nobility of human character. The
world is given to conflicts and wars,
but after all it is better than it appears
on the surface and when calamity
comes to any great number the war
ships move, national treasure boxes
are opened, cities respond to the call
for help and the general movement to-
ward charity could be no greater than
if we had entered on the millennium. If
mems hearts could only remain soften
ed after such experiences, what a good
world We would have, to dwell upon.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
About Charley Walsh.

~ The Williamsburg Journal-Tribune
says that Charley Walsh, secretary of
the democratic national committee, is
out with an interview in which he
speaks about the future plans of the
scattered fragments of the one time
solid army whose gonfalon was the
creed of T. Jefferson. AS Walsh as
sisted on two different occasions to
drive democracy even into the sandy
tracts that lie above the head of Salt
River, his words now should be re-
garded as the words of prophet. Has
Walsh heard about what Happened
to Jones2"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
How,s This7

We offer One, Hundred Dollars Reward
for any case of tCatarrh that cannot be
cured by Halls Catarrh Cure.
r. j. CHENEY 6 Co..
Props. Toledo, o.
& We, the undersigned, have known F.. ].
Cheney for the last. Is years, and believe
him perfectly honorable In all business
out any obligations made by their firm.
WEST g. TRUAX,
m Wholesale Druggists, Toledo, O.
WKLDING, KINNAN s. MARVIN,
Wholesale Druggists, Toledo, o.
Halls Catarrh Cure.tis taken internally,
acting directly upon the blood and mucous
surfaces Of the system. Testimonials sent
free Price 75c. per bottle. Sold by ali
Halls Family Pills are the best.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
CIRCULATION.
THE GRAND ARMY.

1t has now been thirty-seven years
since the war for the Union closed and
forty-one years since the first volun-
teers took up arms TO save the coun-
try from disruption. They did all they
set out to do and when the war closed
the survivors entered into an organiza-
ton to perpetuate the memories of the
long struggle. and to render to eech
other the aid, sympathy and friendly
offices that pertain to comradeship.
The Grand Army is not increasing; it
has reached the highest membership ii
could attain and is gradually decraas,
ing. Its ranks cannot be recruited to
the high standard once attained, and
within thirty years an old soldier of
the Union will be an object of curios.
ity to the generation that will then be
In boyhood
Already the great events of the war
are as matters of history to the young
men and women and the children
They read the history of other wars
but it should be the task of those who
lived at the time when the Union was
In such imminent peril to teach the
succeeding generation the lessons .hat
will impress them with the patriotism
devotion, courage and sacrifices of the
soldiers who fought the greatest war
of modern times and saved the govern.
ment.
Now is a good time to enter upon
this line of education. The represen
tatiyes of the Grand Army of the Re-
public are now to meet in annual en-
campment at Des Moines. 1t will be
a gathering of old soldiers selected by
the posts. of different localities ami it
is safe to say that these representa-
tives viii form body that will rank
high in intelligence and in all the best
qualities of scitiaa' hip. These men
know the Deril war and were in,
sured to hards, I all kinds. Many
of them could s.. the experiences of
hunger, fasting compulsorily as they
did from one to three or four days.
Those who We're prisoners of war could
relate true stories of privations that
seem now almost incredible. All could
tell how glad they were when the re-
bellion was put down and they were
permitted to return to their homes and
enjoy the blessings of peace.
1t is these men who will meet at Des
Moines and few days later the old
soldiers of the different towns and
neighborhoods will form in PROCESSION
and march to the cemetery or the
country grayeyards and there see the
flowers that will be strewn over the
graves of their dead comrades.
All of these things should impress
the young people with proper appre-
citation of the blessings they enjoy.
The government of the revolutionary
fathers has been transmitted to them
through the sacrifice of blood, suffer.
ing. and of treasure. 1t is a precious
possession and its value can only he
appreciated in the light of history and
as illustrated in the survivors of the
last and successful struggle to main.
tain liberty and union.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
See US Swell Up.

The Des Moines Register says Iowa
is not only "it" now, but always will
be. Even loss of prestige through
changing the congressional delegation
would only be temporary, the Register
contends, for the reason that there
are thousand men in the state today
who are intellectually the peers of the
ablest men in any other state in the
union, and when their time comes they
will get to the front the same as the
present delegation has"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
Means shelvina of Bryan.

The Burlington Gazette (dem.), as
sumes from recent happenings that
David B. Hill is again in control of the
New York state democratic machine.
This denomination, the Gazette says,
means the shelving Of w. J. Bryan and
the dethronement of Richard Croker.
with these disturbing and selfish ele-
ments eliminated from democratic
politics" the Gazette concludes, the
future looks exceedingly bright, and
the possibilities of democratic victory
are more than ever promising"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

The oleomargarine law imposing a
tax on bogus butter should lead to still
further legislation for the purpose of
protecting the people from adulter
ated products. In same cases the con.
.sumer is made to swallow poisons in
greater or less quantities; in others
he is expected to digest clays and stone
dust. State laws are all right so far
as they go, but they are not enforced.
Federal inspection is thorough and
when an offender is caught he,pays the
penalty.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
IOWA STATE AFFAIRS.
(Boston Transcrint.l

Whatever Iowa, especially Iowa off,
cialdom, does in these days when Iowa
is running SO many departments, in
one way and another, at Washington,
is of national interest. The Iowa leg.
islature is one of the few which holds
its biennial sessions in the even num-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
Praise for Roosevelt.

I Whatever criticism may Justly be
made of President Roosevelt says the
Marshalltown Times-Republican, 1.-THE
charge of hypocrisy is impossible. He
is not always tactful as politicians un-
derstand the term. But he is some
thing far better-he is honest and
sincere"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

|ty hope to ride into control of the next
house. A good method for each one
to test the matter for himself is to
look around in his own neighborhood
and see how many republicans are dis
affected and will vote the democratic
ticket next fall. The indications seem
certain to leaders all over the country
that the republican majority will not
be decreased.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

Democrats, who adore the memory
of Andrew Jackson, and whose high.
est hopes ethat they may go to him
when they die, ought to be on good
terms with Theodore Roosevelt, who
is an embodiment of the best qualities
that adorned the life and character of
General Jackson.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

7 There is decided movement all
over the country in favor of govern
mental supervision of foods to prevent
authorizations. Swindling in food
should be severely punished and the
false products confiscated and de-
stroyed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
Democratic Doctrine Generally Speak.
ina,

"And the same politicians now
whooping sympathy for the working
men because of the high price of
meat" says the Des Moines Leader,
doubtless in 1904, if meat prices go
down, will be whooping sympathy for
the farmer because of the low price of
cattle"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

The probabilities seem to be that
the senate will send back the Cuban
reciprocity bill shorn of the feature
which repeats the differential on sugar
but will provide for a reduction of FL
per cent on the Dingley tariff rates on
Cuban sugar and tobacco, in exchange
for similar reduction on American
products sent to Cuba.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20
Kilkenny Harmony

KILKENNY harmony" says the Coun-
Gil Bluffs Nonpareil, commenting on
Charley Walsh's "prattIe" about the
democratic party. This is harmony
indeed" adds the Nonpareil, when
party has boilers and insurgents in it's
ranks, is divided UP among Bryan men
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-20

and those opposed to Bryan, has a
gold side and a silver side, each trying
to control and each fighting the other,
party threatened with being split
right in the middle, and which stands
IN need of a leader who will please
both elements and who will bring the
party together"