davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
AN UNAccouNTABLE OMISSION
OR MISTAKE.

The Iowa legislature made an unac-
countable mistake in failing to make
the required appropriation of $4,000
for the state fish and game commits
sion. The salary of Mr.. Lincoln, the
superintendent is fixed by law at 500
a month and this will be paid to him
but the commission will have no mon
ey for collecting fish nor for distribut-
ing them nor will there be cent for
the protection of game. The Journals
show that the Hilsinger bill carrying
the appropriation passed the house and
was sent to the senate April Z. The
appropriation committeerep it for
passage but at the same time the SEN
ate bill by Lambert was indefinitely
postponed. There the whole thing
dropped. There was no appropriation
made. 1t is hoped that the executive
council may be able to aid the COM
mission to pull through until the next
meeting of the legislature. A large
amount of money has been expended
for state fish ponds and these will
have to be kept in order or fall into
decay. The industry of fish culture
has been we'll promoted in the past
and Iowa should not fall behind her
sister states in this enterprise. There
surely should be some way to secure
$4,000 for this purpose without viola
ton of law. 1t is certain that the next
legislature will enact a measure to in
demnify those who will undertake to
furnish the means to carry on this
work.
Since the above was written, it has
been ascertained that there is an I'M
expended balance of $3,S4471 of a pre-
vious appropriation that is now avail
able. Mr.. Lincoln, the state fish and
game warden, went to Des Moines. to
see if more can be obtained in order
to carry out the designs of the com.
mission.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
FOUND IN THE TALL GRASS.

Farmers and stockmen all over the
state are becoming greatly alarmed at
the drouth which is prevailing almost
all over Iowa. There has been no
rain this spring and the winter was
about the same as it has been for sew
eral years past. What will be the
outcome if the spring continues with
out rain is causing everyone a great
deal of anxiety, who has anything to
do with the crops and farm interests
of the state. The conditions for seed
ing are not as bad as might be sup
posed, however, as the ground is gem
orally moist under the surface. This
has been found to be the case in most
sections of the state by the farmers.
In the southeastern part particularly
is this true. This was one of the dry
est sections of the state last summer
and most of the farmers feared that
the ground would be SO hard as to
make seeding difficult. In this they
have been agreeably disappointed
however, and are reporting little diff
Guilty in getting their crops out All
join in the statement that rain is bad
ly needed, however.
Not only for crops is rain needed
but for water. Wells have been 60
ing dry every day and many of the
farmers are almost without water. A
spring is of great value and many of
the farmers are compelled to either
drive their stock to water every day
or haul water to them. This
is great inconvenience and
takes up time that is need
ed for other work at this season of
the year. The wells seem to have en-
tirely given out in some sections of
the state. This is serious situation
for the stock men of the state and
many of them are in a position that
will make it impossible to keep their
stock much longer unless the drouth
is broken
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

account of political exigencies or a
supposed partisan advantage. Instead
OF that, he goes straight to the mark
as if he were not afraid of any disclo-
sures that will affect him or the party
to which he belongs. His purpose is
to find out the truth, and if the parties
accused are found guilty, they will be
severely punished.
An administration or government is
not to be held responsible in moral
sense for the wrongful acts of its
agents until it is found out that the
administration refuses to punish the
wrongdoer. In this case the Presi-
dent has acted promptly, relying on
the fact that enough has been disclos-
ed to warrant court martial and a
close investigation of the acts of Off
Gals who are so far removed from the
center of authority as to perhaps give
them the idea that they may do many
things in that remote locality which
they would not attempt if they were
near Washington. The administration
will, however. demonstrate to all such
officers that it has long arm as well
as well defined and humane policy to
execute.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
DEFEAT OF SENATOR JONES.
(Kansas City STAR

1t has been a long time since the
country has witnessed senatorial
contest as important as that which
last week resulted in the defeat of
James K. Jones, of Arkansas, for some
years the leader of the minority party
in the upper house of congress, and
for eight years, including two presiden-
tial campaigns, the chairman of the
democratic national committee. The
outcome is all the more significant
from the fact that the nomination of
Ex-Governor Clarke-which is equiva-
lent to election-was made by primary
ballot. In nearly all campaigns of the
senate national questions are more OF
less discussed, but most issues are
finally determined by state and person
al considerations. In this case, how.
ever, both the republican and demo
cratic parties are taking note of the
situation that will soon eliminate from
the official roster of the country one
of the foremost men and politicians in
the minority party.
In spite of the distinction enjoyed by
the state of Arkansas through the lead
ership of Senator Jones in congress
and in national politics, and in spite
of the hold that such position would
presumably give candidate before
the people, majority of the members
of the next legislature will be against
his reelection. Jones' defeat was pri,
marily due to the fact that he was a
stakeholder in the round cotton bale
trust. Mr. Clarke made his campaign
almost wholly on this issue, and it is
conceded by the friends of Senator
Jones that but for this question he
would have been nominated. Jones
persisteEtly denied that he was NOV
ing factor in this monopolistic organi-
cation, and even William j. Bryan. a
conspicuous trust fighter, made public
a defense of his campaign manager on
this issue, and did all he could to Sc
cure his return to the senate But the
facts were against the senator.
The significant thing is that in the
state of Arkansas, where party loyalty
and regularity are supposed to be at
least susceptible to outside issues, a
democrat of Mr. Jones' experience and
position should be defeated because he
was identified with a trust. If that
sort of thing can be done in Arkansas
it can be done in other states. If the
sentiment against trusts and monopo-
lies has dominated the political issues
of one commonwealth it may be re-
garded as very strong in other parts of
the country, for the effects of the trust
are about the same in all sections.
The republican party should see in
this the necessity of doing something
to palliate the righteous demand Of
the people that the trusts be regulat-
ed. more especially that they be de-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
OTHER PEOPLES TROUBLES.

1t is interesting as well as sadden-
ing to look over the dispatches of one
day and see the vast amount of trouble
there is in the world and how widely
it is dispersed. AS an example, take
April -, telegraphic dispatches to the
press, and we find:
Trouble in French Congo; revolt of
natives, aroused by human sacrifices
INDUCED in recently
Trouble in the Balkans; a procla-
nation issued by Saraloff, the Mace
DOMAIN leader, calling on Macedonians
in Bulgaria to rise in revolt on April
81.
Trouble in Macedonia, caused by the
determination of a band of bandits.
Trouble in Belgium caused by the
Socialists at Brussels; row and riot,
where knives, clubs and pistols were
used by the rioters who are finally
dispersed by armed police.
Trouble in China, caused by rebel
lion in the province of Kuang-Si and
the imperial troops are unable to put
down the instruction.
Trouble in Hayti where the revolu-
tionary forces captured Jacmel, cap
turing quantities of arms and ammuni-
ton.
These events are alluded to not as
news, but they are collected, and col
lated to show how much trouble may
be concentrated in one day. Nor
does this collection or summary, take
into account small revolution in
India, the Boer war in general and the
vast amount of troubles of our own in
our own country.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
COL. HENDERSON,.
marion Register.)

The Waterloo Reporter is still bonn
harding the Henderson camp. The
Parrot boys are bright young news
paper men, but We cannot help think
ing they are making a mistaken fight.
Turning down Speaker Henderson now
would be just as unjustifiable as if the
Ohio republicans had opposed Presi-
dent McKinley's reelection. The Re.
porter certainly must have some per-
sonal grievance, but if so it is certain
ly not justifiable in opposing Col. Hen
derson in consequence There is hold
ing Office in Iowa today the bitterest
enemy the Register has on earth, who
would never have been nominated for
the position he holds, nor renominated
either but for the support given him
by it, and there are thousand men in
the county just as well qualified as he
is for the position he holds, and some
of them thousand times better quail
fled. But the Register has no resent
ments. Ingratitude is the basest of
crimes, and if the Parrot boys remain
in the newspaper business as long as
their father did, or as long as we have.
they will know how true the old adage
is, "but so runs the world away" We
are not saying or even intimating in
this article, however, that Col. Hen
derson is guilty of ingratitude. He is
a great hearted man and would do
anything and everything for any de-
serving man that he could, but no man
was ever able to do all he would like
to do for his friends. or all they would
like to have done for them. Let no
stone be laid in the pathway of the
only man from Iowa who can hope to
be the speaker of the next house of
representatives in congress. AS a
member of congress Col. Henderson be.
longs to the third district. AS states-
man and as man holding the second
office in the country he belongs to the
state and the nation. Papers publish
ed outside of his district may therefore
be pardoned for expressing the wish
and the hope that he may be renomin-
ated.
The colonel is member of the
strongest and most influential desega-
ton that ever represented a state in
congress in the entire history of the
country Retiring him now would be
like retiring General Grant when he
was leading his triumphant ARMY
through the Wilderness to Richmond
and to AppomattoE.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
THE PRESIDENT ACTS PROMPTLY

The so-called army scandals in the
Philippines wherein certain officers
are accused of ordering wholesale ex-
termination of natives or putting 9th
ers tC torture, are to be investigated
at once. President Roosevelt has not
waited for the reports of commission.
but he has ordered an immediate court
martial for the trial of General Jacob
B. Smith, for ordering the extermina-
ton of the natives of Samar, and Of
Lieutenant Conger, Major Glenn, and
Surgeon Lyon, for making use of the
water cure" to extort confessions.
The President does not hesitate on
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
Advocates Post Checks.

The Burlington Hawk-Eye indorses
the proposed post check system. 1t
points out that more than a half of
the postoffices of the country are not
money order offices and yet the farmer
may ask for conveniences as justly
as he asked for the daily delivery of
his mail. THE post check would be
valuable auxiliary to the rural free
delivery" it says, because it would
enable the farmer to draw his own
drafts or make out his own money Or
ders by simply taking out of his peck
etbook the currency of the right de-
nomination, indorsing it and inclosing
it in a letter with the assurance of
safe delivery. The commercial ten
dency of such currency as this would
be to increase the amount of business
transacted through the mails. That
would increase postal revenues and in
fact be benefits-to everybody. The
plan bears every evidence of merit"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
ARBoR AND BIRD DAY.

The introduction of bird day in the
Iowa schools, combined with Arbor
day, which is to be observed on April
25, is a compliment to the Hon. John
+. Lacey, which he will no doubt ap-
preciate. No man in the nation has
done more to rescue the innocent
birds of this country from destruction
than Mr.. Lacey. He has caused legis-
lation that has abolished the barbaric
custom of wearing birds wings as
trophies or decorations. He has also
protected the game and sea coast
birds from the ruthless attacks of pot
hunters and cruel and inconsiderate
sportsmen. 1t would be good thing
If the schools were TO plant a tree in
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

MED the continued application of high
protective tariffs through which they
were originally created and by which
they continuously reap unnatural pro
nus at the expense of the consumer
1t ought, at least, to call halt in the
exhibition of subservience to the trusts
that has been given in the shabby
treatment of the Cubans, and it should
nave It's effect on the proposed ship
subsidy law, which would result in
making trust of the marine shipping
of the country.
On the other hand the democrats
should see in this action of the people
OF Arkansas the force of the strongest
issue that the party can espouse at
this time-the old issue of the tariff
with Its inseparable relation to the
trusts. They should recognize, also.
that the grip of Bryan is so far slack
ened that his campaign manager and
leading counselor can be defeated with.
In his own party. 1t can be hardly be
doubted that Bryan will continue to
do all he can to force himself and his
policies on the party whenever oppor-
tunlties present themselves, but it has
been shown in this striking instance
that the fear of the Nebraska man that
is still entertained among the dissent
ers from his dictation is largely
groundless.
The defeat of Senator Jones will al.
most certainly place the leadership of
the democrats in the senate in the
hands OF German, a man who has prov
en- his ability as manager. and whose
position at this time is especially ad
Vantageous to that element that looks
for a thorough reorganization and
helpful harmonization of the party
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

The horrible murder of Lena Peter
son and her brother, Thomas, at Des
Moines last Sunday night has appalled,
the state by it's awful details. These
have hitherto been published in the
Courier The prospect at present for
securing evidence to convict the MUIR
derers (for it appears that there were
two of them does not look encourag.
ing but they will be found sooner
or later. No great crime such as this
could go without being unearthed. The
fiends will yet be tracked until they
themselves will be forced to say
something that will lead on to their
conviction. 1t is the earnest desire
of the law-abiding people of the state
that careful judicial proceeding
shall follow, and that the murderers
be convicted in a court of justice and
punished according to law.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
PEOPLES PULPIT.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

A correct statement of the trouble
existing at No. 5, Phillips new mine
There being some wrong statements
made and different rumors circulated
in regard to the conditions at this new
owe to everyone connected with it and
to the public in general to publish the
facts as they really exist
About the middle of February last
the men who had been breaking away
the entries from the bottom of the
shaft by the day We're told by the su-
perintendent to go on by the yard.
There We're three eight foot entries and
one twelve foot entry and the superin-
tendent plainly and distinctly told
them the price would be S1.70 per yard
for the twelve foot entry with 25 cents
added for double shifting, making
$1.95 per yard. When they received
their pay for that month they received
$1.95 per yard.
During the Des Moines convention
the men who were working the eight
foot entries We're told to change them
into twelve foot and they would be
paid $3.50 per yard. The offer was re-
fused because we had already paid
$1.70, thereby establishing the price.
Mr.. Phillips went to the convention
then being held in Des Moines, stated
his case to the joint board who gave
decision in his favor without calling
on the miners who alone possessed in
formation necessary to arrive at just
conclusion.
Ever since the beginning of this un.
fortunate affair the coal company first
and the joint board second have treated
those seven members of this local as
though they had just arrived from
some land of darkness and ignorance
across the sea instead of American cit
liens who knowing their rights and
their duties have the courage to main
tain and defend them.
We still hope the board and the coal
company will reconsider their action
and undo the wrong that has already
been done, and that this article will
prevent any and all miners from TAX
| ing step that would make them I'M
worthy the respect of their fellow man
and would forever brand them with
the most disgraceful epithet known tc
organized labor.
Respectfully,
u. M. w. A. Local No. 1872.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
INTERVIEWS AT LONG RANGE.

George f. Lincoln, fish and game
commissioner can only see one av-
enue of escape from the fact that the
last general assembly neglected to ap-
funds for my department. 1t
is my opinion that the executive coun-
ell has an emergency fund that can be
set aside for the use of my department,
and | expect to know positively wheth-
er we can get any relief when l confer
with Governor Cummius. My salary
is provided for by statute and will go
on just the same, but ] will not have
the executive council can. help me out.
/ have laid elaborate plans for the sea-
sons work and shall be terribly disap-
pointed unless I am able to carry them
out. We have our work systematized
SO that with a comparatively small
amount of money we can make a fine
showing this year. I am particularly
anxious about enforcing the game laws
which cannot do without an appropri-
alton. The sportsmen all over the
state where fish and game are to be
preserved, feel that we will encoun-
ter less opposition in this work from
now on than ever before. don't want
to sit down and merely draw my salary
for the next two years when there is
so much that can be accomplished. /
can hardly understand how it happen
ed that the appropriation was forgot
ten by the legislature. 1t was all I'M
derstood and agreed to, bit in the ex-
element of amending the game laws
the appropriation clause seems to
have been overlooked by everyone.
Ralph M. Easley, secretary of the
National Civic Federation: The pres.
ent appearance of unrest in several in.
dustrial lines is due primarily to the
natural desire CT the workers to obtain
larger 81 ere of the prosperity which
has ruled il general business for some
years past. 1t has been noted that in
dustrial dist noes have been one
of the r1'o- 2.-ala connected with
great upWel or downward movements
in general business, and accordingly
as advances in wages were sought or
reductions in wages opposed.
"To one who remembers the great
strike wave of 1886 and the immediate
succeeding years with the hundreds of
thousands of employees who were rem
dered idle and the immense losses run
ming up in the tens of millions to both
employers and employees, the present
and the past few years may we'll be
termed an epoch Of industrial peace
When one compares the record as to
strikes made in year like 1886, when
100000 men struck or were locked out
or the record of 1887, when nearly AGO.
900 men struck, with a wage loss of
$13,000000 (Bradstreet's figures), this,
too, in time of improving and com.
paratively good trade, the lack Of fric-
ton at the present time, when no great
bodies of men are idle through strikes,
can be better appreciated.
cat this period of the year strikes
are usually numerous, hence some
more than ordinary unsettlement is to
be expected, but one looks in vain for
such a strike as that of May, 1896
when over 100000 men struck for a
shorter day. 1t should not be forgot
ten that there are probably 100000
more Industrial workers Tin manufac
ture alone) in the country new than
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

The beef trust which is said to be
composed of packers IN large cities has
over-reached itself. 1t has killed the
goose that lays the golden egg to this
extent: The price of beef has been
raised to such outrageous prices that
it has driven hundreds of dealers out
of business who have heretofore pur-
chased their beef from the trust. The
effect will be that retail men will go
back to the old methods; go out in the
country, buy cattle on the hoof, and
do their own killing These things
regulate themselves and sometimes, in
the right way.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

General Miles does not seem to be
sustained by such old war horses as
Schofeld, who has given many years
of his life to study of army reorgan-
ization. General Miles is a gallant
soldier and the country will not forget
his services either in the civil war or
in any of the Indian disturbances, but
General Miles is inclined to be too
combative with his pen as we'll as
his sword, and when he can find no
foe armed with gun or sabre, he
seeks one who will fight with pen
just for love of a heated controversy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22
Favors School Consolidation.

The Storm Lake Vidette remarks on
the success of the combination of rur-
al schools in Minnesota. ..ssThe almost
invariable success of such consolida-
tion,' it says, gives much support to
the claims of those who are agitating
the question in ouS own state. If it
will give to the country children the
advantages of bettsf equipment and
better instructors why not grant it to
them They are worthy of the best
that can be provided for them in every
way"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

1t seems hazardous to make any
kind of prediction as to events In
South Africa. A few days ago peace
seemed to be certain through mutual
concessions of the contending parties.
Two years ago, peace seemed to be Sc
cured through the surrender of the
Beers. These people have surprised
the world as well as England hereto
fore and there may be still greater sur
prises for the future.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

The situation in Belgium continues
to be serious. Indeed the peril seems
to grow greater. The labor strikes
are made the alleged causes of dissen-
sion but there is deep-seated deter
mination of the people of all classes to
get rid of the ruling monarch.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

1t is possible that the Louisiana
Purchase exposition at st. Louis may
be postponed until 1904. 1t is proposed
that this should be done because there
is not time enough to do the project
justice.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

1t will be gratifying to old soldiers
to know that the senate committee on
pensions has ordered a favorable re-
port on the bill granting of pensions to
soldiers who have lost arms, limbs or
feet The increase will be SIS per
month on each.