Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-03
ARE ROBBING IOWA
Those Seeking to Depose Hender-
son Making Mistake.
STATEMENT ON The SITUATION
Think 1t InconceivabIe That Any Fac.
ton or Set of Men Would Connve to
Rob HaWkeye State of Second High.
est Office in the Government.
Washington, March %.

paper heralding the purpose of State
senator COPYRIGHT, of Blackhawk
county, to enter the race for congress
IN the third district, in opposition to
Speaker Henderson, has excited con
siderable comment and interest in Off
cial circles in Washington. There
nave been numerous inquiries for in,
formation touching the exact political
situation in the district and expires.
slons OF surprise that the speaker
should have opposition at all.
very naturally and properly the
speaker does not care to discuss the
question. He undoubtedly is willing
TO permit the matter to rest with the
people of the third district.
Favorable Composite Statements.
Your correspondent has taken occa.
sion to talk with number of influen-
tlal congressman, representing various
states and wide range of opinion
touching questions of policy, but the
sentiments expressed in relation to
the proposition of opposition to
speaker Henderson, in his own dis
trict, are identical. A composite state
ment, embodying the views of the con-
gressmen addressed would be substan-
TALLY as follows:
Opposition Uncomfortable.
We cannot believe it is the purpose
OF any man or faction Of the republican
party In Iowa to oppose the renomina-
ton of Speaker Henderson. 1t is in
conceivable to us that any consider
able number Of people in such a state
as Iowa should take any interest in an
enterprise calculated to rob Iowa Of
the second highest Office under this
government. We cannot fathom the
composition of the man who will Sc
rlously announce his candidacy for an
oftice that would deprive Iowa of the
prestige of possessing the speaker of
the national house of representatives
the man who holds the strings of leg
1slatlon in his hands and who, in many
respects, is more potent than the Pres
ldent OF the United States himself
congressman do not become speakers
OF the house by accident. The eleya-
tlon OF a congressman to the high Of
nee or speaker is the largest gift with
IN the power of congress to bestow.
Iowa may not fully appreciate the hon
OF this office carries; it is an honor
any state would make unusual sacri-
ices to obtain; it's bestowment is the
highest testimonial of confidence and
esteem and respect. 1t is a position
OF great power. Power is the great
goal of this age.
Speaker and Party Harmonious.
The claim that the speaker is not
In harmony with his constituents can.
not be true. The characteristics of
disloyalty and Indifference to his own
people or any people has no place in
the makeup of Speaker Senderson.
Is for Entire Country.
We assume that the republicans of
the district represented by Speaker
Henderson are similar to republicans
In other districts in the western states
reasonable and fair-minded men.
We assume that they will at once ap-
preciate the fact that while the
speaker represents them in congress,
that he also represents the interests
OF the entire country; north, south,
east and west. Not only does he repre-
sent these widespread and varied in
terests, but he is held responsible for
ell legislation, in a large degree: he
is the commander of the ship, the gen.
eral In command of the army. He
cannot keep his eye upon his district
o. do other congressman; his eye
must sweep the country. The speaker
may have his personal interests; he
may have his personal opinions and
views, but his Judgment and patriot
ism will not permit him, if he is
wise speaker, to give free rein to these
nn1nt0nR and q I,.Nr 81
ed by the memorable rule of expedien-
cy and the strictly American rule of
the greatest good to the greatest num-
her. Speaker Henderson has been i'm
PEELED by these considerations; to
have done otherwise would have been
to prove recreant to the great trust
imposed in him"
Stronger Than Ever.
The fact that an Indiana congress
man expressed the opinion, in the
presence of your correspondent, that
Speaker Henderson is today stronger
with his party in the house than when
elected speaker would appear to dis
prove some statements that have been
made. AS was stated last week, if
the republicans shall control the 5Sth
congress there is practically no ques-
ton but that he will be chosen speak
er for the third term.
Case of Ex-Speaker Reed.
Taking the case of ex-Speaker Reed,
We find the question of prestige was
considered the all-important one with
the people in his district. Maine is a
fishing, ship-building, ice-shipping
state, yet the people of the districts
represented by Mr.. Reed did not ex-
pect to ask him, as the speaker of the
house to give their interests the right
of-way. They asked nothing except
that he should be speaker, and every
two years there was convention in
his district at which time the formality
of denomination by reclamation was
INDUCED in.
The views of the speaker touching
the questions upon which it is alleged
he is out of harmony with the people
in the Third district, were given in
these dispatches few days ago.
They will bear reading second time.
Smiths First Debate.