Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-10

An Iowa Congressman recently re-
turning from home, gives out the in
formation that R. HI. Spence, chairman
OF the state central committee, expects
to be reelected to that position, prac-
tically without opposition.
May Have Opposition.
the congressman and politicians in
{ Washington that Mr.. Spence may have
considerable opposition, and that he
may not finally be chosen as chairman
for the campaign this fall. From this
point of view it appears that his OPP
ponent and rival for the craftsmanship
will be R. w. Clayton, of the sixth dis
trict.
Clayton Passive.
So far as Mr.. Clayton is concerned
he is entirely passive in the matter
He takes the position that if there is
general desire on the part of the par
ties interested that he shall become
the chairman, he will undertake the
work. He will, however, make no
fight for the craftsmanship.
Want Clayton at the Fore.
1t is understood that members of
Mr.. Clayton should assume charge Of
says he proposes to abide by the
wishes of the central committee and
the republican workers in the state.
His Strength.
An Iowa politician, discussing this
question, said 1t appeared to him that
Mr.. Clayton would be able to secure
the votes of a majority of the commit
teemen. - He can safely count upon
the support of the committeeman from
s the first, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and
ninth. 1t is taken for granted that
the second, eighth and tenth districts
will be against Mr.. Clayton, with the
fourth and eleventh matter of doubt.
Upon this basis Mr.. Clayton has a ma
jority, not counting the doubtful dis.
tricts.
Not Pushing Candidacy.
Your correspondent has absolute
knowledge that Mr. Clayton is moi
pushing his own candidacy or making
any efforts in his own behalf. He will
be entirely satisfied to continue atpri-
waite in the ranks, as committeeman
from the sixth district if it is not de
.manship.
Iowa Old Soldiers Stirred Up.
The Iowa senators are hearing from
the Grand Army boys in a way that
indicates that the veterans are thor.
oughly stirred up over the turn of af.
fairs in the Philippine discussion; no
tably the remarks of Senator Carmack
who was SO thoroughly dressed dowr
by Senator Dolliver a few weeks ago
The senators are receiving letters, res
olutions and remonstrances from indi
yiduals and from Grand Army posts
calling upon the Iowa senators to up
hold the honor of the army and con
demning in unmeasured terms the
structures of certain senators upon the
officers and soldiers in the Philippines
A Democrat No Longer
Col. Root, of Keokulk, is in receipt
of letter from a very prominent
democrat who has in his employ some
hundred or more men, who has al
ways stuck to democracy, who nov
declares that he can stand it no long
er. Re asserts that when his party
becomes so wretchedly short of cam
paign material that it must make al
attack upon our own boys, fighting {
relentless and treacherous enemy in {
torrid country ten thousand mile.
from home, all for the sole and evi
dent purpose of campaign thunder
then he believes it is time for him tt
separate himself from that party
May Be Boomerang.
The senators believe the recent ut
terances o. minority senators ant
their avowed antagonism to the eff