davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
AN OPPORTUNITY.

Ottumwa has no commercial league.
She should by all means have one. 1t
is necessity at this stage of the
city's growth and will pay big interest
on. the investment. The first step to-.
ward the formation of business
mems association should be taken
now. In order that it may begin right
ly the Courier suggests that repre-
sentative business man be sent to Ce
dar Rapids July II, when the CONNER.
cial clubs of Iowa will convene. Here
there will be an exchange of ideas
among people who know how to do
things. Twenty-Five societies will be
represented, all of them progressive.
All OF them alive to what it means to
push their home town. They know
how to do it. There could be no more
valuable school, no better way to begin
than by sending some Ottumwa man to
this convention and learn the methods
used to maintain first class, work.
Ing organization. Ottumwa is not in,
vited because she has no commercial
club Should she send a representa-
tive. however, he no doubt would be
well received.
Why not start the ball rolling now?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15

theodore Roosevelt. He never stirs
up vague discomfort, or encourages
blind or hysterical action. He states
problem frankly, he does not minim.
lze the difficulties, he does not claim
to have a policy ready-made that will
relieve further anxiety. He SAYS we
have great problems and that we can
only solve them by degrees. We must
feei our way along, doing one thing at
time
He believes in supervision, in regula-
ton, and in making cautious start
along TINS line. He says that If we try
recklessly. without proper thought,
without proper cautions to do too much
we shall do nothing, or else we shall
work ruin that will be felt most
acutely by those of our citizens who
feel 1T most keenly. He means that
legislation must be so cautious as to
involve no threat of confiscation or
loss of earnings to capital, otherwise a
suspension of investments might bring
the country to panic and throw thou
sands out of employment
He recognizes the industrial tenden-
cies of the time, toward the concentra-
ton of capital and the most econom-
ical methods of production. he recog-
nizes incidental evils, and he declares
that we cannot turn back the wheels
of progress. But he says that while
we must not ignorantly strive to
achieve the impossible that does not
excuse US for failure to strive to do
what is possible. He believes that
there are some things we can do.
There is nothing radical in his dec.
larations, and coming from most men
in public life they would have little
significance. but when President
Roosevelt says there are things that
should and may be done he usually
has plan to put in execution, and for
that reason the country is quick to be-
lieve that he will have something def
mite to propose.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
KNOCKS AT oTTuMwA,s DOOR.

Ottumwa needs a large wagon and
carriage factory. 1t can be gotten with
the proper kind of effort and without a
heavy bonus. The demand is close to
the city. Cheap fuel is near and ship
ping facilities are all that could be
desired. The time is ripe for action.
1t has been stated by prominent OF
tumwan that probably $4,000 worth
of stock could be sold among the peo-
pie Of this city if practical wagon
maker and bushes man would place
like amount in an institution of this
kind.
The first requisite, however, is an
association which will pull together.
One formed for the definite purpose of
promoting the welfare Of Ottumwa.
All the wagon and carriage-making
project needs at this time is well d.
rected effort. Vehicles of this kind are
staple. There is no guess work about
the demand. 1t is here. 1t does not
have to be created, Once established
it would be one of the permanent in
dustries of the city.
1t is worthy of serious considera-
ton.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
Unless all signs fail PERSISTENT Th

Unless all signs fail President Theo-
dore Roosevelt is quietly taking hand
in the settlement of the coal strike
in the anthracite district. Through
the department of labor in Washing
ton, statistics are being gathered rela-
tive to the cost Of producing ton of
coal, the wages paid the miners and
whether the latter has kept pace with
the selling price. From this it may be
inferred, with no great stretch of the
imagination, that the President is pre-
pairing to drop bomb into the camp
of the coal companies with his usual
vigor. Just how powerful the explo-
sion will be depends upon the charac-
ter of the evidence that is presented
to him and the power vested in him by
law to act. 1t has been limited that
the hard coal operators are welded in
to an Illegal combination. If the char
acter of the evidence laid before the
President by the agents of the depart
ment of labor sustains this idea the
solid front of the mine operators pre-
sented to the demands of the men will
go to pieces.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15

ter play an important part Some of
these are the manufacture of photo
graphic films and paper, as solvent
for shellac and other gums, in finish
ing Silks. the manufacture of smoke
less powder, transparent soaps, dyes,
boot and shoe polish and electrical ap.
paratus. Millions of gallons annually
are used in these industries but prev
lous to the imposition of a tax to
Sl.10 per gallon much more was con-
sumed. The high tax offers an in
ducement to establish illicit stills.
Were it reduced to seventy cents per
gallon, the price named in bill now
before congress and referred to the
ways and means committee of the
House, the incentive to defraud the
government would become much less
because lessening of the margin of
profit.
In Great Britain, France, Germany
and practically all other European
manufacturing countries, special pro-
vision Is made for the exemption of al
conoi from the operation of the tax
when 1t is to be used in the arts.
The United States mas cared for it's
manufacturers in no such manner. A
tax equal to 1900 per cent of the cost
of the alcohol is imposed. This in
creases the cost of articles in the pro-
duction of which alcohol enters. The
injustice is apparent.
To. lower the tax would actually
mean increased consumption in the
arts with no corresponding increase in
its use as beverage. 1t would permit
manufacturers in the United States to
meet those of other countries on an
equal footing in the markets of the
world.
1t is but another step in annexing
trade and placing prosperity on
sound basis.
If experience teaches, as Internal
Revenue Commissioner Yerkes says
it does, that 70 cents per gallon
instead of $1.10, is the proper figure,
congress should pass the proposed
hilr r..
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
THE SUM OF GOOD GOVERNMENT

with all these blessings, what more
is necessary to make us happy and
prosperous people? Still one thing
more, fellow-citizens: A wise and
frugal government which shall re-
strain men from iniuring one another,
shall leave them otherwise free to
regulate their own pursuits of indus
try and improvement, and shall not
take from the mouth of labor the bread
that it has earned. This is the sum
of good government; and this is neces-
sary to close the circle of our felici-
ties"
These were the words of Thomas
Jefferson spoken one hundred years
ago. They were true then and they
are true today. Men who are free to
regulate their own pursuits of industry
and improvement" are not dominated
by great trusts and combinations
which throttle competition and ruin
the small investor
There is danger, serious danger, in
the trend of present Industrial condi-
tions. We have President who is
strong and courageous to meet and
battle with the trusts. Let the repub-
licans of Iowa strengthen his hands
by adopting resolutions on this ques-
tion which will give true expression to
the sentiment of the people. Let the
expression be SO clear and distinct that
it will reverbetate from toocean.
Republicans in other states are watch
ing and waiting to hear what Iowa will
say about this matter.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
SOME. THINGS THAT MAJOR LA.
cEY HAS DONE.
(From the Hedrick Herald.)

John F. Lacey worked and voted for
appropriations for the American navy
that made the victories of Dewey at
Manila and Sampson at Santiago pos
slble; while Fred White voted and
paved the mud against these very
measures, which vote if it had finally
carried and which talk if it had been
needed would have landed our country
in defeat and our reputation to dis
grace.
John F. Lacey voted and labored
tirelessly for the Mckinley and the
Dingley bills, the two laws that are
responsible more than anything else
for the great business activity we now
have and the good prices our produc-
ers are getting for their products.
Yes sir he voted and worked for the
full dinner pail and he has gotten it,
too, for his constituency, even in Keo-
kuk county, and his vote and his voice
ever has been for better wages, better
prices, better times. While Mr.. White
voted for the Wilson bill, bill that
democratic President would not faith
er and a law that brought us an era
of times that our country never can
forget.
John F. Lacey has name among
his fellow congressman, democrats as
well as republicans, of being able to
get more good legislation through con-
gress and hinder more bad legislation
than any other man in the house.
When Lacey is on the floor the shyster
has poor chance to land his bills.
Then John F. Lacey has gotten more
pensions for the defenders of the flag,
for their needy widows and orphans,
than any five men the old sixth has
ever had before him. Every precinct
in the whole district has recipients of
his tireless labors. That's what John
F. Lacey has done and that is why
John F. Lacey can represent us just
as long as he wants to.
We have not begun to name what
John F. Lacey has done, but we have
named enough to show that he justly
has right to ask for the place and
that we are sensible people in keeping
him there.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
CIRCULATION.
A QUESTION OF RIGHTS.

Henry Clews is a Wall street bank.
er. He is one of Americas able finan.
ciers. His judgment on questions OF
finance is regarded by. the business
world with great respect for on these
matters he is clear, conservative and
generally right His, view of indus
trial and labor difficulties is necessar-
lily from the standpoint of the capital
ist and investor. In circular letter,
under date of July 5, he gives utter
ance to the following, with reference
to the strike of the anthracite coal mi
ners:
Apparently the coal strike, like the
big strike in the iron trade year ago,
gle has been carried on with compare
lively little actual disorder, which is
to the credit of the men; but as time
progresses it is evident that the move
ment was a serious mistake, and some
of the leaders may find themselves de-
throned and the unions seriously
weakened by entering struggle the
inevitable outcome of which was de-
feat. *#* Meantime few simple lessons
have been learned that should not be
forgotten. Among them these: That
the right to work is equal to the right
to strike; that whoever leaves a
position has no right to inter-
fere with his successor; that la
Dor has no greater right to stifle
competition than capital; and that
the sympathetic strike is a failure, in
the end only increasing cost or losses
to other branches of labor
Mr.. Clews may or may not be cor
rect in his opinion that the strike is
doomed to failure" We do not
know. Certain it is, however, that Mr..
Clews has, in the above, set out an adj
mirable "bill of rights" as far as it
goes. But let it go one step farther.
Labor has no greater right to stife
competition than capital; NEITHER
HAS CAPITAL GREATER RIGHT TO
sTIFLE COMPETITION THAN La
BOR- Now, will Mr.. Clews and the
large class of financiers and monied
men whom he represents join with
President Roosevelt in his righteous
war on the trust and the illegal COM
bine, whose sole purpose is to wipe
out competition and arbitrarily control
the prices, which the people shall pay
for the necessities of life?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15

blindly for the common good, the lead
ers holding party welfare subordinate
to their own selfish ends. The very
midwife who accouched it appeared
next day in the want" columns with
"A healthy male infant to dispose of
for a considerations Never man went
to the pools with truer purpose than
the populist voter, nor broke faith
worse than the leaders who sold him.
But the farce is ended, the curtain
rung down, the lights turned out. Tha
populist brand was transferred to new
owners up at Huron last week, and
the rustlers who sold it are out on
the range with spur and rope, round
ing up the mavericks for November
delivery.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
THE UNFORTUNATE REcIPRoc.
ITY CONTEST.
(From Editorial Crucible," Gunton's
Magazine for July.

Nriom EulIorldl CTuclDle, GuntOn'S
Magazine for July..)
Every friend of the administration
and of business prosperity must regret
the conflict between the President and
congress over the Cuban question.
From every point of view it was a
serious mistake, and most of all be.
cause it was wholly I'M
necessary. So far as treat
ing Cuba generously is concern
ed, every one was agreed. 1t was only
a question of how it should be done,
and on that congress was the proper
party to decide. All the dissenting
senators and congressman asked was
that the relief should be given without
changing the tariff and endangering
the prosperity of any American indus
try. This was in thorough accord
with the Presidents message to con-
gress, hence the party and the coun-
try were justified in expecting his en-
tire acquiescence in that policy. But
under the unfortunate influence of
Secretary Root and Governor Wood
who are doubtful protectionists, the
President appears to have insisted
that the relief should come in re.
duction of duties. Besides conflicting
with the party policy and his own
message, this was transcending the
province of the executive. Moreover.
it would have gained nothing for
Cuba's relief that was not already Of
fered by the rebate proposition. ***
All this is great misfortune, and if
carried far enough may prove to be
national calamity.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
The clubs and officers who will at.

tend are:
Anamosa-C. H. Anderson, secre--
tary. Boone-F. D. Gray, secretary
Observation-Disclosures Mems club, W.
w. Parsons. president. Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls Business Mems associa.
ton, c. B. Santa, secretary. Center.
ville-Centerville Business Mems
league, w. A. Callen, president. Gin.
ton-Clinton Commercial club, Marvin
]. Gates, secretary. Council Bluffs,
N. G. Phillips, secretary. Davenport
M. Bunker. secretary. Des Moines-
The Des Moines Jobbers and Manufac-
turers association, E. ]. Riser, secre-
tary. Observation-Disclosures Business
Mems league, John M. Mcdonald, Sec
rotary. Fort Dodge--Fort Dodge Bus
mess Mems association, J. B. Butler.
president. Fort Madison-Fort Mad
ison Bushes Mems association, w. H.
McCune, secretary. Grinnell = Will
c. Rayburn, secretary. Iowa City
Iowa City Commercial club, r. F. T.
Cherry. secretary Keokuk-Keokuk
Business Men association, Arthur H.
Moody, secretary Marshalltown =
Marshalltown Com mercial club. L. e.
Sears, secretary. Mason City--Mason
City Commercial club. William G.
Block. secretary. Waterloo---Watcr.
loo Board OF Trade, G. ". Dawson
secretary. Oskaloosa Oskaloosa
Commercial club. ". NLyman, secre-
tary. oelwein-w. B. Hart, secretary.
Webster Cit!-Ccnnerciai league.
Atlantic-Com:rc-eial cln5. J. s. Nc,
Wade. secretary.
These names are doubtless familiar
to many Ottumwa people. They Ger
rainly would not devote their time to a
commercial club in their own town if
it did not mean dollars and cents to
them. At the same time they perform
a public duty.
Ottumwa's most pressing need is an
association of business men to place
the city where it belongs in Iowa
The Courier moves that a start be
made NOW.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
THE PASSING OF PoPuLIsM.
(Howard, S. D. spirit.)

Populism has come and gone in
South Dakota. To have made the
pretense of keeping up the organiza.
ton more or less than pitiful they
must needs have sent delegates to
Huron who could refuse the thirty
pieces of silver. Those who were pres
ent could not. At the parting of the
ways they hesitate, then turned their
backs on principle to train along as
the democratic rear guard, down the
road leading to possible place and
plumber. The state turns away dis
gusted from the picture of these mis-
representatives haggling for hours
over the number of soap bubbles they
should receive in exchange for the
votes of other men. Every man who
knew that, whether they fused, refus-
ed, diffused or confused, there was no
possible election for man on the
ticket, yet it is doubtful if the state
ever saw a more venal gathering. The
populists went there to be swallowed,
the democrats to swallow them. "Ali''
disappeared in the belly of Null" like
toad swallowed by a bull snake,
leaving democracy undecided whether
to try an emetic or physic for relief.
Populism came into being as a pro-
test against poverty. 1t might have
gone down, submerged by the tidal
wave of prosperity, and slept in an
honored grave. But body snatchers
sold it's cold corpse to the doctors
whose malpractice made it's birth an
abortion. Only painted stake in the
political potter's field marks the fic.
ton of it's last troubled dream. It
might even have lived, have passed
the nursing bottle period and attained
the dignity of place on the worlds
battlefield, if it could have resisted the
temptation to realize on it's assets be-
fore it had any. There was a place for
it in politics, grievances to be redress
ed, wrongs to be righted, corruption to
be exposed, manhood to be lifted up.
Mankind is learning to cooperate in
stead of cutting each others threats;
the municipal ownership idea is TAX
Ing firm root, the drift of sentiment is
perceptible toward genuine socialism
of which populism was only crude
form-the man is rising in value and
the dollar is going down. But it came
clad in the garb of woe to the mar
riage feast of mankind and prosperity.
1t hung pail over the roseate dawn
OF better day. 1t was voice CRYING
In the wilderness, and the demogogue.
hearing it, answered Here" Its brief
span has been shortened by interne-
cine strife, the rank and file fighting
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
THE PEOPLE AND THE TRUSTS,
philadelphia Record. dem.l


There has never before been such
an argument against the trusts as the
beet sugar lobby has made. It has
taken the republican party by the
throat, compelled it to turn down Nc
kinley and Roosevelt, to repudiate its
platform pledges and to break faith
with the Cuban republic. The adyo-
Gates of this dishonor could not have
accomplished their object if their open
attack had not been secretly allotted
by all the other plundering trusts that
are permitted by tariff favor to pick
the pockets of the people of the United
States. If the sugar monopoly were
to be disturbed by reciprocal trade ar
rangements with Cuba, they argued, it
would be an entering wedge for fur
Their movement toward commercial
emancipation. This plea was effect
i've. Congress has ended it's sitting.
and rather than even clip the fringe
OF the garment of Dingleyism the
country has been put to open shame.
Senator Hanna was right in his dec
1aration in the senate on Monday last
when he intimated that the coming
congressional election would give the
voters an opportunity to be heard
from in regard to this reciprocity bust
ness in unmistakable terms. 1t is not
SO much question whether Roose-
welt shall be sustained, or whether the
suffering people of Cuba shall be help.
ed. as whether the nation shall be gov
erned by the monsters who have man
age dto get their representatives elect
ed to congress and who from that point
of advantage dictate the policy of the
government.
Indeed, indeed, it is time that the
people of the United States were
heard from.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
ELklNs RIGHT AND WRONG.

The position of Senator Elkins in
opposing reciprocity with Cuba is alb.
surd. He is simply endeavoring to
hold up the President and the admin
istration in his efforts to secure the
annexation of Cuba. Under the guise
of caution he refuses to entertain the
idea of reciprocity. He says that a
debate upon the subject would lead to
tariff revision, or at least an import
ant modification of schedules. This
may or may not be right but it is
far fetched. Senator Elkins has no
right to invest DOGGY man with life
when duty demands brave action. His
defense is contained in the following
statement issued by "close friend OF
the senator's" who is believed to be
none other than Senator Elkins him.
self:
Il deny that there is any connection
whatever between Senator Elkins' op-
position to the reciprocity and his sup
port of resolution of annexation.
Senator Elkins felt that in opposing
the Cuban reciprocity bill he was fol.
lowing the lines laid down by Harris.
on, Blaine, Mckinley, and Roosevelt.
He did not oppose reciprocity with
Cuba in itself, but was against the
proposition to have reciprocity by
means of a bill.
The Senator believed that should
the senate undertake to discuss such
measures it would inevitably lead to
a general tariff debate and the pro-
posing, and perhaps the adoption, of
a number of amendments looking to-
ward general revision of the tariff.
He represented to the President that
whatever financial assistance Cuba
might need could be given by means
of rebate, which proposition was
rejected on the ground that it might
offend the sensibilities of the Cubans.
He also proposed that the senate
should pass the house bill just as it
came from the house, but this propo.
sition was not acceptable to influential
republicans in the senate who were
opposed to the provision repeating the
differential on refined sugar."
Senator Elkins has a right to favor
annexation if he wants to, but he is
wrong in refusing to support a relief
measure in order to force annexation.
Allow the Cubans the fullest oppor.
tunity to test the advantages and pos.
sible disadvantages of independence
Senator Elkins may be pioneer in
blazing the trail which leads to the
absorption of the island, but his tao
tics just now are questionable.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
Farm the Place to Live

The Paullina Times says there is
poor excuse for the farmer in O'Brien
county to move to town. 1.-The farm.
err" the Times points out, now has
his groceries and dry goods delivered
at his door; visits with his neighbor
over the phone; jerks the town butch
er and merchant up at leisure, calls the
doctor or cusses the editorial over
the phone; mails his letters at the
front gate; receives his check for the
product of his farm and takes his
daily paper from the mail box each
day. The farm is the place to live, and
it is attracting many of the people of
the cities"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15
Make II Plain.

The platform. of last year was a
good one" says the Des Moiness CAPT
tai, but it would be better still if its
demand for modification of the Ttar.
iff] schedules should be made more
specific or omitted altogether. If the
republicans of the state know of any
duty that ought to be lowered it would
De better to mention the particular
item than to put something in that
would subject Iowa republicanism to
misrepresentation in all the metropolis.
tan newspapers of the country"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-15

President Roosevelt IN taking legal
action against unlawful trusts has lit
orally cut the ground from under the
democratic party in the next campaign.
And another iridescent dream has
gone glimmering.