Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-13
years ago to about 81, 900 for the
next fiscal year.
Aie Dian

years ago to about 81, 100000 for the
next fiscal year.
His Plan.
Mr.. Lacey would set apart say a
acres in different sections, enl-
bodying the various phases OF lrrlga,
ton; place the matter in the hands OF
competent and expert engineers and
permit a series of experiments to be
carried on, reports to ne made to the
secretary of the interior, who should
communicate with congress touching
the net results of the work, making
recommendations for future guidance.
1t seems perfectly safe to say that
whatever legislation may be finally
completed on the line Of irrigation by
the government, it will be of a charac-
ter to give no concern whatever to
the agricultural interests of Iowa.
There are too many congressman hail
ing from agricultural districts, look
ing after the interests of their constit-
uencies, to permit dangerous legisla-
ton to be enacted.
Can See Throguh a Brick.
The defeat of the proposition to
change the rural free delivery system
HUH q uASu, thSiSiuliS
SGOO-to the contract system, well IL
illustrates the effect of public senti-
ment and the newspapers, country pa
pers, upon congressman. When the
proposition of M. Loud, chairman of
the house committee on postofiices,
was announced, the rural free mail
carriers became busy and within a
week the effect of their activity be-
came apparent.
It may be assumed that the ques-
ton is now settleu finally, and for all
time. Congressman Loud comedies
this; he realized the only hope of get
ting the system upon the contract ba-
sis was at this time. Before the ques-
ton can be brought forward again the
carriers will have fortified themselves
and put up a much sitter fight, If the
Occasion demands, their numbers will
have materially increased at that
time. Of course a carrier who is get
ting $500 pc mt does not propose
to sit by and permit the department
to auction his job from under him.
AS n Iowa congressman observed
the proposition was clearly a discrim
nation. Other employees in the post
office department and in all branches
are paid specific salaries. If there Is
a valid reason why carriers on rura
mail routes should be compelled tc
bid the profit all out of the bushes!
and carry mails at starvation rates
then there is equal reason why lette'
) carriers in cities. postal clerks on thu
railways and ~postmasters Throughout
the country should all be placed in thu
same class and their positions put up
on the block to be knocked down tt
the lowest bidder.
Delegation U~nconcerned.
1t is presumed that certain gentle
| men in Iowa are very much interested
, in the prospective action of the low;
! delegation in congress relative to tn
l matter of federal appointments TO
Iowa. With the exception of Con
gresham Thomas, who is strongl
urging the claims of Mr.. Sammis, an
S who is anxious that some action b
: taken, it appears that the delegatio,
: is rather Indifferent concerning tn
e distribution of pie. 1t seems impo!
sible to discover any congressma
y who knows anything about the matte
e or who evinces any great amount
o enthusiasm when the subject is mel
toned.
h At Sea on Sugar Proposition.
n Republicans who dominate legisl;
ton in Washington are very much 6
sea upon the sugar proposition. Coz
ference after conference has bee
called and tentative agreements mad
and programs mapped out, all to /
diSarranged later. What may be tt
e ultimate results of the caucuses it
e impossible to approximate, but it
S quite likely a compromise will be e
< fected upon a basis of not far from
d reduction of thirty per cent in IL
+. Dlngley tariffs upon sugar. This W:
l. be really a victory for the sugar gro'
g ers in the United States, as the Gu
a ans demand a much greater conce
IS sion. The Iowa congressman are re
j. cent and entertain divergent view
but probably a majority would be di
er posed to restrict the reduction in tar
rates to the lowest possible point, gi
le ing our own sugar producers the be
Sc of the bargain. Frank J. Stillman.