Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-20

Cuba as territory. There would be
the warmest sort of politics in the al
tentative of annexation or soup
houses, the proposition of the sugar.
beet interests of the United States.
The protection of home industry and
the fostering of new ones ought to be
a first consideration, all other things
being equal, but if the implied and
understood pledge of this government
is worth anything, then concessions
must be made to Cuba and the sugar.
beet industries in the United States
must make the best of the situation.
As between the maintenance of the
national integrity and the moral
status of the United States abroad,
and the fostering of an industry that is
of unquestionable practicability. at
best, the people cannot fail to give a
verdict that will be practically unani-
ton"
Thinking People.
The discussion of the sugar
has been monopolizing the at.
tentlon of congressman. The
debate has been upon the rural
mail contract proposition the past
week, but little attention has been
given to it. The Iowa delegation has
been in frequent conference, informal
~; in groups of three or four: touch
ing the question, discussing the eX-
pediency of this scheme and that
Some favor the Tawney rebate plan;
another regards the Norris amend
ment with greater favor Through all
the conversation the vital query:
What will the people say, and what
will we say to the people," is constant
ly raised.
Iowa Members Divided on Question.
The Iowa members and other off
Gals are disinclined to be quoted in
detail for obvious reasons. The dele.
cation is very evenly divided upon the
questions it being understood that six
would be disposed to favor reasonable
concessions, while five are opposed.
Those taking either view are willing
to concede the good faith of the other
element and Therefore do not care to
appear to build any fires in the rear
by giving publicity to views that
might be used against a colleague in
his district during the campaign.
Therefore it is not practicable at this
time for your correspondent to do 9TH
erWlse than give a cOncensus of the
opinions expressed by the divergent
element. 1t may be said that the del
egation is earnestly seeking to do the
right thing, all things considered. with
la view to making good, pledges. the
maintenance of harmony and some
slight consideration for political
fences.
Talk of Dis3ipIining President.
There has been some talk about
''disciplining" the President. because
he has seen fit to adhere to the propo-
sition that concessions must be made
in accordance with the implied terms
of the stipulations with Cuba. This
suggestion finds scant favor among
Iowa congressman On the contrary,
without reference to individual views
touching the question of policy, there
is a unanimous determination on the
part of the delegation to frown upon
| this thought of discipline" 1t is I'M
| derstood the Michigan delegation
wild in opposition to reduction of the
! Dlngley duties, has suggested the
is"disciplining" proposition, and it is
4 likely to become a boomerang and to
I ALLEVIATE strength from their ranks. AS
| one Iowa congressman, Judge Connor
| remarked. I'VE believe the President is
endeavoring to carry out the desires
/ of President Mckinley in this matter
| and whatever may be our personal
| preferences we shall be disposed to
give him strong support as long as he
follows that line. When other ques.
| tons develop. in which the personal.
| ity of Mckinley is not injected we
shall be governed by the situation and
| developments at the time. We may
| find it necessary to oppose the Presi.
dent at a future time but we propose
to treat him with the greatest consid
Grafton and tenderness, now, while he
is endeavoring to conclude work under
| taken by Mckinley" This sentiment
was heartily "amened" by all the Iowa
group engaged in the discussion, al
though there was wide difference OF
views on the general policy that should
| be pursued.
/ Whole Question Summed Up.
The whole question may be summed
up thusly: The President will insist
upon reasonable concession to Cuba
to the last extremity. He is noted fol
his pertinacity. If his desires
should be overruled and the Dingley
rates maintained, Cuba will ask fol
annexation and will be admitted
i Then there will be no tariff upon Gu
ban sugar and the United States SUI
gar growers will be against the real
thing. The republican party will be
strictly upon the defensive and the
| congress elected following these move
ments, will undoubtedly very close, il
not democratic. But-concessions
will be made to Cuba.
Washington. March IL, 1902.
Senator Allison is disposed to enter
tain the opinion that the Importance
Of the Cuban sugar proposition tina
has monopolized the attention of the
ways and means committee and il
fact the entire house of representa-
tives practically since the commence
ment of the session, has been yer!
greatly exaggerated. He regards thu
matter as in the nature of a tempes
in tea pot; question involving, o
course, some differences of judgment
but not greater than are met with fire
quently in the regular course of legis
Jotivo. uorE. tho diroct rocI1lt in .