Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-09-04
H0PELESSLY SPLIT
raise the biggest kind of a disturbance
on the floor of the convention at the
tlrst sign of reputation.
Horace eoies Non.CommittaI.


Horace Boies Non.CommittaI.
Late this evening had an interview
with Hon. Horace Boies, one time gov
ernor of the state of Iowa and politi-
cal figure of Importance. Mr.. Boies'
room is thronged with visitors but he
stepped aside for few moments while
| asked him things He is fine old
man and it went against the grain
somehow to ask him those brutally
frank questions which republican
newspaper reporter wants to know.
1t is like referring to death in the
family. But from the governors
words | cannot place him with the
mourners. 1t might be said in pass
lug that he has plank up his sleeve,
maybe the whole platform, which he
IS not yet ready to expose to the gaze
OF profane eyes.
He was asked what he thought of
the outlook for tomorrow. He said he
hoped for the best. The question was
put to him whether or not there would
be a fight on the floor of the conven-
ton for reafiirmation. He said he hop
ed not. Questioned as to whether or
not he would make plain statement
or TACT as to his position, as the lead
er OF one element of the party he said
ne was not leader of any element;
mat he was as good a dmocrat as he
ever was and hoped that reasonable
compromise would be made. At this
Juncture friends interrupted the con-
| Versation. The governor said to his
callers that he was a farmer and took
but. one newspaper and that was print
ed III Des Moines. He also made the
statement that he had never attended
state convention before as dele
gate Considering his connection with
iowa democratic politics this state
ment is remarkable, to say the least
saw 5. A. Brewster, of Ottumwa, a
red hot reaffirmation man. He said that
nothing but reaffirmation went. He
made the allegation that there would
be fight on the floor of the conven-
tlon, no matter what the committee on
platform did. I am inclined to Mr..
| BreWster's opinion, although | have
been on the ground but very short
time.
Still it is just like petit jury
can't tell which way it will jump. For
instance, as an indication of what to
expect, nearly every mothers son of
the delegates are wearing buttons with
a likeness of Andrew jackson upon
| them. These buttons are plentiful and
make the free silver fellows look
around for their friends. | have not
seen Bryan button.
chas. A. WaIsh's Fight
Thus far have paid but little atten-
tlon to Mr.. Walsh, principally because
MT. walsh is conducting his campaign
pehlnd closed doors to which the re.
ahrmers only are invited. He has
guests all the time. and is said to be
vigorously prosecuting his campaign
Tor reattirmation and, as he puts it, to
prevent reputation
1t is freely stated. as | have said be-
fore, that Mr. Walsh is fighting for
political life. 1t is charged that he is
willing to accept anything that will
give him control of the organization of
the party in Iowa. This view is a bit
harsh and many of his friends will not
endorse it. But it must be remem
bered that it is the fellows who are
against reaffirmation who make the
allegation. On the other hand his fol
lowers say nothing so sordid animates
them in their fight and that this feel.
ing extends to the Ottumwan who is
their recognized leader.
Reaffirmation Beaten.
| have just learned that caucus of
the sound money men, or rather that
part OF the party which is against re.
animation has just been held They
nave canvassed the situation and say
with quiet firmness that spells vic.
tory, that reaffirmation is beaten. They
| me l.Jn I
lieve anybody else does.
Cato Sells Non-committal.
Cato Sells, of Vinton, is on the
ground but says he is not close to
what is going on. He, however, did
say that it looked to him like the sill
yer fellows had their opponents beat
en-. He reasoned that this morning
the city delegations, or rather delega
lions from those counties where cities
of Importance are located, notably
Scott, Blackhawi and few others
the trend of the sentiment seemed tC
; be against reaffirmation. But this ev
esing the country precincts are be
ginning to be heard from and the TEN
per of the delegates was just the other
way. Mr.. Sells may be right.
| Prays for Harmony.
An Ottumwa man who will not allow
me to give his name is on the wal
path, He is not a delegate but he
swears by the most fearful oaths that
if the convention resurrects the free
silver corpse it will be powerless tc
make any showing in the fight this
year and will be politically paralyzec
/ in 1908.
HopeIessly Split
j At midnight the delegates on the
ground were hopelessly split For ev
cry sound money man on the grount
, there are two for reaffirmation anC
more are coming. The regulators, as
Mr.. Walsh's followers call them, have
but little organization. They are do
ing some work but Mr.. Walsh is do
! ing the most and hardest. Whether
or not it will be the most effective to
morrow will tell.
MINE FIRE RACES.
l Blaze at Pocahontas Mine Not Yet Un