Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-20

HUN bOu6t " alllSOH lie Temple
of parliamentary craftsmanship. Iowa,
just now, is in the top story of that
temple in both houses and has excel
lent quarters in the executive council
chamber as well.
Let other states look to Iowa, and
keep the men by natures laws destin-
ed for shoemakers, at home, and send
their statesmen to do the work of
statesmen"
Washington, March IS.
1t is understood the committee on
public buildings and grounds in the
house is getting affairs in shape to re.
port before great while. This re-
port will perhaps interest larger
number of people in Iowa than any
other measure that may come up in
the house at this session.
Towns Which Have Desiresl
At the present time eight Iowa
towns and cities are earnestly look
ing toward this committee of which
Congressman Conner is an active
member, in the hope of landing a
prize. The prizes range all the way
from $4,000 to $1.000,000; that, is
these figures represent the maximum
and minimum of the desires of the
various towns. Des Moines covers
cool million for new public building.
Atlantic will be content with $4,000
appropriation. Following down the
| lines comes Waterloo, Boone, Mar
shalltown Centerville, Iowa City and
Muscatine. Ottumwa and Council
| lot
the purchase of additional lands Out
average amount desired for new build
about million and quarter dollars
for Iowa. On this basis the bill would
carry $75,000,0 00-which it will not.
Disappointment But Waits.
This is a world of disappointment
and towns and cities must take their
medicine as we'll as the individuals
The biblical observation that many
are called but few are chosen" ap-
plies with great force to the biennial
scramble for what Washington people
are prone to denominate pork How
ever. it is not certain that there will
be any disappointments among the
Iowa towns. While not in a position
to guarantee anything. Judge Connor
from his position of vantage upon the
committee, takes the view that prac-
tically all that Iowa asks for may be
granted. He is bending his energies
to the accomplishment of that end and
believes the appropriation for Iowa
will be liberal one, in any event. The
chairman of the committee, D. H. Mer-
Ger of Omaha, is very favorably dis
posed toward Iowa and Judge Conner
has had assurances from two other
members of the committee that they
will support him in his efforts to take
care of the interests of Iowa to the
last limit. AS has been previously in
timated the pressure upon the commit
tee is terrific and every sort of polite.
al, parliamentary and social device is
employed to secure influence and
pledges. 1t is conceded the member
of the committee has the inside track
and place on the committee is re-
garded in the light of special prefer
ment. The interests of Iowa are in
good hands.
Veto Hits Des Moines Man.
President Roosevelt has sent his
first veto back to congress, and with
out reference to the merits of the case
1t is trifie peculiar-though this OBJ
servation does not imply the slightest
reflection upon the President-that the
first victim to feel the force of the ex
ecutive pen across the face of an ACT
lof congress, should be citizen OF
Iowa, John Glass by name.
Il
Der by occupation, now residing in Des
Moines, although at the time the bill
which constitutes the basis for the
Presidents first veto, and which was
to have removed the charge of deser
ton, Glass was resident of KeoKuk.
The story of John Glass is substanti
ally as follows: He enlisted in the I'm
tied States navy January rs, 1864
as first class boy, for one year; serv
ed on board the warship Moose and is
reported to have deserted March 1854
serving but six weeks. At the time Of
his enlistment John Glass was but II
years of age. He was a cabin boy
and in that capacity was witness tc
circumstances of compromising ma
ture affecting the second officer of the
ship, on March 3, 1864. On the follow
ing day the officer conveyed the boy
ashore, presented him with money
bought him new suit of clothes, ant
told him not to report back to the shil
for duty. Glass being but a young boy
and having been drilled to implicitly
obey his superiors, obeyed the injunc
ton of the second officer and never re
ported for duty The officer made nj
note, of course, of the affair and wheI
the cabin boy failed to report he was
recorded as having deserted. In the
absence of any other evidence it is
natural that this record should have
been made and forwarded to the nav,
department. When in later year.
Glass applied for a pension he wa.
confronted with this official blot upor
his war record and could make M
progress.
Gear Tried 1t and Failed.
Some years ago Senator Gear hat
his attention directed to the case ant
to him Glass told the story of his al
legged desertion. Senator Gear intro