Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-12-23

The minute this becomes known to
the Iowa delegation it will very likely
participate in lively contest for some
Iowa buildings. 1t is we'll known that
buildings are desired at Muscatine by
Congressman Rumple, at Webster
City by Congressman Conner, at Ma
son City and DEBORAH by Congress-
man Conner; at LIE Mars by Con-
gresham Thomas and at Red Oak by
Congressman Smith,. Judge Smith al
SO wants an additional appropriation
for Council Bluffs, which would prob
ably have precedence to Red Oak.
These are the presiding claims. OF
course the other congressman want
buildings too, but the foregoing are
likely to be the most pushing.
Iowa Stands Poor Chance.
In the first place it cannot be de-
MED that Iowa stands a poor show to
get any buildings at all in the case of
small omnibus bill. Last session
Iowa got a very good haul. Judge
Conner saw to that and many of the
congressman grumbled at it and have
not forgotten. l talked to the secre.
tary of the public building commit
tee today and he declared that the
idea prevailed that Iowa got more
than she deserved. He would not adj
NIT that there was to be any omnibus
bill at this session but declared that
If there was Iowa would have to put
up pretty strong fight for any of the
pie. Iowa has not the strong hand on
matters this session that she had
last. The influence of Speaker Hen
deron is practically gone now that his
retirement in March is assured.
Some who have been thinking for
some time that Iowa was in the habit
of getting too big share of good
things see their chance at hand to get
even.
Judge Conner Has Best Chance.
Some people, however, are losing
sight of the fact that Iowa still has
strong delegation on hand and will see
that she is not overlooked. Judge Con
nor, as member of the public building
committee, undoubtedly stands the
best show of securing a building. 1t
is said by some that if Iowa gets any
building at all it may not get more
than one and that would be Webster
City. At this point is centered the
most lively contest in the district. A
public building would be great thing
for the town and quiet any antago-
nistic talk from certain dissatisfied
ones. Mr.. Conner will no doubt put
forth his best efforts to bring about
this result Judge Smith is very close
to Judge Conner and is also exceed
ingly anxious to get that appropria-
ton for Council Bluffs. If two appro-
priations are obtained for Iowa Judge
Smith may get number two.
Gist of the Trouble.
No doubt many people in the
United States are wondering
just what all the trouble in Ven
ezuela is about That England
and Germany have certain claims
against Venezuela is known of course
but the particulars of these is not gen.
orally understood. Even the state de-
partment has never been informed as
to the details of England's claims, but
Germany has made statement to
Secretary Hay of her claims. Against
Venezuela there Is a claim pending of
the Berlin Company of Discount on ac-
count of the non-performance of en-
gagements (which the Venezuelan GOV
eminent undertook in connection with
the Venezuelan railway built by that
government. These obligations, says
Germany now amount to fully 6,OOO,-
900 holivars. 1t is maintained that
the obligations continue to increase as
interest at per cent on the Venezue-
Ian loan of 1896 has not been paid for
eight years, nor has the payment been
made regularly to the sinking fund.
Germany has other claims against
Venezuela which date from the civil
war of that country during the years
1898 to 1900. Through these wars,
Germany says. many German merch-
ants and many German landowners
have been seriously damaged as par,
TALLY compulsory loans are said to
have been extorted from them, cattle
were seized and never paid for and
grounds and residences of the Ger
mans were ransacked. The amount
ciamied by German for these damages
comes to nearly 100000 bolivars
This amount is to be divided by Ger
many among thirty-five claimants who
are poor people.
Sympathize With Venezuela.
Although members of congress and
officials are very careful in what they
say there can be no doubt that the
sympathies of the United States are
with Venezuela. 1t is common talk
that the action of the English and
German representatives in Venezuela
has been strangely hasty. There have
been some acts that would only be
proper after formal declaration of
war and all in all President Castro
seems to have kept his head the best
so far. There is no denying that
many legislators are becoming rest
less.
HONORABLE MENTION.