Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-08

Si oSOhC w ISpOl 1OI uuCy SlS6-
where, but Captain Hull prevailed up
on the secretary to permit the agent
to remain.
Water Question an Obstacle.
The water question, which has been
the obstacle in the path of progress
almost from the first, would have been
brushed aside by the war department
had Congressman Hull merely spoken
the word. The department stood ready
to spend the necessary money to build
a complete water works plant upon the
post grounds. Captain Hull, however.
desired that the city should make good
all it's pledges, and in Difference to his
wishes the department has waited. Mr..
Hull says he has advices that the wat
er question will be disposed of within
a few days.
Things will hum the moment the de,
partment is given full sway. The work
will be well along before snow flies
and the next spring sufficient progress
will have been made to enable soldiers
to be quartered in the post. The fall
of 1903 ought to see close to thous-
and troops quartered in Fort Des
Moines.
A Romance Uncovered.
Mrs. Truman, of Chicago, an old
time friend, has been the guest for
some days of Congressman and Mrs.
Conner at the Hamilton Judge Con-
ner, who was familiar with the little
romance, tells an interesting story Of
the matrimonial experience of Mr.. and
Mrs. Tfueman. Mr.. Trueman secured
an education in Washington, fitting
himself for the practice of law. He
went to Chicago, met the young lady
who afterward became his bride, and
won her. When it came near the ap-
pointed date for the marriage, the
young man observed that he had no
funds with which to set up housekeep-
ing. He canvassed the situation with
the young lady and finally it was de.
cided that he should write a book, get
lit printed and place it upon the mar
ket and get married and go to house
keeping on the proceeds. Judge Con.
ner remarked that under such condi-
tons the nuptials of young couple
would not be considered as imminent
in these latter days, but young True
man had the right kind Of stuff in him.
He went to work: wrote the book-a
treatise on landlords and tenants
which afterward became an authority
had 1t printed and actually sold his
right for S1,400 cash. With that as a
starter the race upward was swift.
Trueman became prosecuting attorney
for Chicago and rose to prominence as
ia great lawyer, dying some years ago.
Washington, May 5.
Minister Conger's retirement or
transfer to some other post is no lon
ger matter of general public discus
sion in Washington and the press has
not given any space to the matter dur
ing the past week, but there is strong
reason for the belief that consideration
of the question has not been dropped
officially
Iowa Delegation Not Hopeful.
1t may be said that the Iowa delega-
ton in congress is not particularly
hopeful of the retention of Major Con-
ger at Pekin. To speak plainly the
| President is not entirely satisfied with
the manner in which Major Conger
has handled the questions entrusted to
his care in China.
This dissatisfaction, it is believed, is
largely an artificial or created condi-
/ ton. 1t is further believed that some
quiet and persistent knocking" has
who was sent to China Immediately
following the release of the ministers
from Pekin, as a special commission
er, and who at this time is in charge
of the bureau of American republics in
Washington has been welding the
hammer. There is no Disgusting the
situation. Mr.. Rockhill desires the
Chinese post and the only practicable
way for him to reach that goal is TO
bring about the removal of Minister
Conger. There is no evidence, such as
would be material in court, that Mr..
Rockhill has made any effort in this
direction but the Iowa officials in
Washington incline strongly to the
opininon that Mr.. Rockhill has been
quietly getting in some work on his
own account through the medium of
the secretary of state, who thinks Mr..
Rockhill a great diplomatist.
Case Not Pressing.
A statement is alleged to have been
made by the President some time ago
! IN 9HeCt tndC tnere must De CnaQSe
in Pekin. Since that time his atten.
ton has been called to the matter and
! an effort made to ascertain the status
of the case and just what the President
proposed to do. Thus far efforts to
| secure this information have not been
productive of results. The President
says he is not considering the case;
| that is. that the matter is not immi
nent and therefore he is not disposed
to discuss the proposition. There the
matter stands.
Iowan in Washington.
w. P. Brady, general agent of the
B., c. R. & N. railway, has been il
Washington during the past week an6
it has been a prolonged season of en-
joyment Speaking of the visit, Mr.
Brady remarked that one evening he
dined with Senator Allison anC
Speaker Henderson, the following af
ternoon he lunched with Senator Dol
liver, that night he was the guest OF
Secretary Shaw and the day following
he had an audience with the President
! Mr.. Brady said his business in Wash
| ingtOn was purely personal: that he