Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-20

to arouse the delegates to the consti-
tutional convention in Richmond to
that point that free speech was doom
ed. The majority in favor of this ac-
ton was large and the opponents weak
in number and influence and voice.
Freech Speech Stays.
Senator Dolliver spoke in Chicago.
His remarks were telegraphed over the
country that night and the effect was
4 marvellous. The next day the words
OF the Iowa senator were read before
the constitutional convention; there
was some debate and the decision was
reached not to cut free speech from
the constitution of Virginia. Senator
Delivers speech had done the work.
| The speech, as whole, is master
| piece of sound logic and wisdom that
had it been proclaimed in earlier times
would doubtless be said to have been
inspired. 1t was delivered with but
little previous preparation, because
| there had been no time for prepare
ton, but it came from the heart and
| brain of a man who was fired on the
impulse of the hour, through long and
intimate acquaintance with the dead
| President and the ideas and thoughts
and principles advanced will live for
| generations.
Sentiment Which Did the Work.
The particular sentiment which NOV
ed the Virginia constitutional conven-
ton, and which was the subject of so
much editorial comment and remark
was as follows:
Slow to move and often awkward in its
motions, but it can be trusted to find
| effective remedies for conditions like
these, at least after they become in
tolerable. But these remedies, in or
der to be effective, must not invade
the sense of justice which is universal
nor the traditions of civil liberty
which we have inherited from our faith
ers. The bill Of rights, written in the
English language, stands for too many
centuries of sacrifice, too many bat
tlefields sanctified by blood, too many
hopes of mankind reaching toward the
ages to come, to be mutilated in the
least in order to meet the case of a
handful of miscreants whose names
nobody can pronounce. Whether the
secret of this CHASTITY atrocity rests in
the keeping of one man or many we
may never know, but if the President
was picked out by hidden counsels for
the fate which overlook him, there is
a mournful satisfaction in the fact
that in his life, as well as in his death,
he represented American manhood at
| its best"
The demand for copies of Senator
Delivers speech continues, and
scarcely day passes but letters are
received asking how copies may be OBJ
tanned.
Hepburn Opposes a Gable Bill.
Col. Hepburn, chairman of the
house committee on interstate COM
merce, having in charge the bill pro-
viding for the Pacific cable, is oppos-
ed to the bill proposed by Mr.. Corliss,
of Michigan. Mr.. Hepburn said he
preferred not to outline his views on
the subject or detail his objections to
| Mr.. Corliss' bill, at this time, as a
minority report would be submitted ex-
pressing his views on the proposition
1t is believed several of the Iowa con-
gressmen are in favor of Pacific
cable, although the question of detail
or .desirability of one proposition over
another has not been gone into, in
fact the Iowa delegation will not un-
deftake to reach conclusion in the
premises until all the facts have been
presented.
For Changes in Army.
| Congressman Hull has introduced a
bill in the house providing for such
changes in the army service as will be
calculated to increase the efficiency of
the military establishment.
The bill is quite long, making fifteen
pages. and deals largely with details
unfamiliar to the lay reader. Consid-
cradle attention is given to the matter
of shifting and consolidation of depart
ments such as the pay, subsistence and
quartermasters.
The President is authorized to detail
from the army at large officers of
rank whose duties it shall be to con-
slider in comprehensive way the mil
itary policy Of the country; to prepare
detailed plans for the national de-
Tense, mobilization of the military
forces in time of war; consider all
questions involving efficiency of the
army, including transportation, sup
plies, plans or campaign, collec-
ton of information and any other pro-
fessional matters that may be referred
| to them
Shall Constitute Board of Strategy.
This proposed corps shall constitute
a sort OF strategic board. cooperating
with the naval department with view
to producing the best results in time
of war land in fact will serve as an
agency through which all means of
professional military information shall
be at any time at the disposal of the
war department.
4 What Shall Constitute Board.
1t is proposed that this corps shall
be composed of lieutenant general,
appointed by the president, to serve
four years; one major general and one
Ibrigadier general. four colonies. six
lieutenant colonies and twelve majors,
twelve captains, mounted all for a
period of four years. Except in cases
Iof emergency no officer shall be eligi-
BILE for appointment second time I'M
It'll he has served Two wears as an off