davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
a TALE OF TWO ADMINIsTRA-
TiONS.

st. Louis Globe-Democrat:- At this
time ten years ago an extra session of
congress had been called by President
Cleveland and that body was soon to
assemble. In April 1893, for the first
time after the republicans specie re-
sumption law took effect in 1879 the
gold in the treasury available for
greenback redemption dropped below
the $100,000,000 mark. This was a
month, after Cieveland;s second term
began. The decline continued, and at
one time the free gold in the treasury
was donw as far as SAL 100000. Alarm
seized the people; runs" were made
on the banks in many cities; many
banks suspended and other collapsed;
great business houses went down, in
some of the big centers and carried
many smaller concerns down with
them; mills and factories shortened
their hours of work or closed altogeth-
er; wages were reduced on all hands
and panic was "on." This condition
of things impelled Mr.. Cleveland to
call congress in extra session and it
met on August Z, 1898.
"A widely different condition prevails
today all over the country. Instead of
the declining gold reserve and the runs
8on the treasury, We have a larger
hoard Of gold in that depository than
was ever in it at any time past. In adj
dition to the regular reserve fund of
| gold, which was fixed at $150,000,OOO
by the law of 1900, over $72,OO0,OOO of
gold coin and gold bullion is in the
treasury vaults now. President Cleve.
land was obliged to sell bonds four
times during that fateful second adj
minsitration of his in order to protect
Ihe gold reserve. He increased the in
tesest bearing debt of the government
to the extent of s262,00O,0OO in this
way, but he was unable to keep the
gold, which was fixed at $150,0O0,OOO
Greenbacks were rushed into the treas
ury and gold was forced out by them
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28

the one campaign and leave at least
one year that is devoid of campaign
excitement. 1t is further claimed by
those who favor the change that the
expenses of electing our state officials
under the present yearly plan will be
largely cut down by the biennial sys-
TEN.
On the other hand, the argument is
presented that the state has derived
entirely satisfactory results from her
yearly elections as compared with
some states which have the biennial
plan. The present method of electing
OUR state officers was incorporated in
the constitution deliberately and with
well-defined purpose.
More than half century's exper-
fence with the constitution has shown
It's wisdom, for in all that time there
has never been a formidable combina-
ton among our state officers, and a
situation has prevailed here which
could very favorably contrast with that
prevailing in neighboring states where
they have contrary plan.
Illinois has been cited That state
has the biennial system of elections.
IL SSuAiey oCulo tuC uOuSG IluS
is well-known factor in politics. All
the county officials are elected the
same year. AS result each Office
holder seeks to perpetuate himself in
office by combination with his fell
low officers. All stand together and
when one proves weak, another man
who will add strength to the combina-
ton is selected in his place.
The same condition is to be found
at the state CAPITOL where the execu-
tive officers are always found to be
in strong combination for purpose of
promoting their personal political well
fare. So pronounced is the condition
in Illinois that there have always been
what are known as the administration
and anti-administration factions in the
dominant party. They have been one
cause of some of the unfortunate con-
ditions that have existed in illinois
state politics for years, and it would
not be running great risk of judy
ment to express the belief that the BIZ
ennial election is largely blamable
for it.
The Hawk-Eye presents these two
views of the matter and suggests that
a thorough discussion of all phases OF
the proposition be had SO that the peo-
pie may act intelligently Burlington
Hawk-Eye.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28

Demand for Soldiers Guilty of Tansgresson of Civil Law Mus
War be Given Up to Civil Authorities

-, -, =, n. <1,, yn...- :. ,,,;,, :,
The Ell Paso (TeXas) Times SPINS
warn about Major General 8. B. M.
=,
folng, U. >. A., Whlch is 10 the eHecC
that on one occasion AT Los Vegas.
IN. ", Ge1letal young, When leuten-
ant colonel Of cavalry. marched into a
,..I,.
PONCE court, ieaving HE OIL troopers
outside. and took out of the hands of
the Justio9 one OF MS caYalrymen VINO
was on trial. The I'll Paso paper may
be euita cure that if General Young
took any action which gives founda-
Sti5n for this story, he was strictly
within his right. Articles SO of the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28

fourth of actual value. How can we
in justice, demand more from rail
road than absolute equity? We cannot
do 1t and retain our manhood There
is need of higher moral standard
all along the line in these premises
Good men, so regarded in other mat
ters at least, are taking wrong view
Oh TINS matter. We regret to see such
a wholesale effort to secure advantage
at the expense of honor and fairness
And besides this the possible gain
to each county is SO small as to make
this scramble ridiculous In our own
country, for example, the average levy
for all the districts in the county fol-
the present year is 33 mills OF this
sum 3 Ne mills is for the state and 291s
mills are expended in the county. In
another form it means that out of each
Sill paid in taxes in Carroll county the
state gets $1.16 Why should we GO
to Des Moines and disgrace ourselves
by seeking to save few cents by hav.
ing our valuation lower than some
other county. We are not doing So
Our county officials and assessors
have done their work we'll. The aver.
age valuation put on Carroll county
land is s54 per acre. The average for
the state as reported by the auditor is
$42 per acre. We trust that the execu.
tive council will do it's whole duty
make fair and just average and q
just apportionment among the coun.
ties. When this is done, then put the
railroads on the same basis Let all
be treated fairly, and let those who
are seeking to gain a little notoriety
and reputation at home by holding the
approximate valuations of their coun.
ties down before the executive coun.
Gil at the expense of the integrity and
reputation for fairness of their peo
pie so home with the information that
pulls don't count. Mr.. Stonebraker OF
Calhoun deserves the commentator OF
every fair minded man in the state for
his manly attitude on this question.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
THE AMERICAN VETERAN.

The following poem, written by Ed
gar L. ST. Ceran. was read by the au-
thor at the recent confederate reunion
held in New Orleans Mr.. st. Ceran
is United States inspector Of customs
at New Orleans and served throughout
the civil war in Louisiana regiment
on the confederate side:
Rusty are army rifles,
Sabers and bayonets too,
Aged and gray in your ranks today
Are the men who wore the blue.
Silent are the shrill-toned bugles.
Dumb is the lannon's roar,
Tattered and torn is the uniform
You gallant soldiers wore.
Folded are the flags of battle,
Rent by shot and shell
In the bloody trays those fateful days
When many comrades fell
You gave without stint or question.
The best you had to give.
Gave up your wives, your sweethearts.
your lives.
That your country's flag might live.
The flower of American manhood,
Claimed in that terrific fray,
Fought with their might for what they
thought was right
The men OF the Blue and Gray.
Sons of the frozen Northland,. 4
Sons of the sunny South,
With hurrying feet when the long
roll beat
Faced death at the cannons mouth.
Mourn not for the brave departed,
Hidden beneath the sod,
Their bodies sleep. but their souls
akeep,
Safe in the care of God.
Gone is the sound Of the conflict,
Never to rise again,
eOld Glory" waves DER the honoredl6
graves,
or our common country's slain,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
BIENNIAL ELECTION PROPOSITION

The Sioux City Journal has taken
advantage of the present dullness in
political conditions in Iowa to bring
up the question of the constitutional
amendment for biennial elections. The
Journal deyotes column to an outline
of the matter and says:
"The proposed change from annual
to biennial elections should be consid-
cred upon its merits, and it is not too
early to start the debate"
+ The Journal places itself upon record
as having supported the amendment
when it was before the people in 1900
and says it is still of the opinion that
the change should be made.
The Journal is timely in it's sugges-
ton. The matter is one Of grave inn
portance to the people of the state The
Hawk-Eye believes that a full and ear
( nest discussion of the matter cannot
begin too soon for the good of the
state.
The people of Iowa have already
given their approval to such an amend
ment and but for technical error on
the part OF the last legislature it would
now have been a law and there would
be no election in Iowa this fall.
Fate sometimes takes hold OF human
affairs in strange and unaccountable
manner, and produces good results
from seeming mistakes or misfortunes
The fact that the biennial amendment
was defeated by technical error and
the state placed back on its original
election standpoint would seem to some
minds to indicate that fate or Provi
dence intended that the matter should
have further discussion before the last
step is taken.
Be this as it may, the matter is be
fore the people and they should not
lose the opportunity to review the
question in all it's details and to ex
tract from it what facts and condi
tions and results there may be posi-
bility Of ascertaining.
will biennial elections be better fol
Iowa than the present system? That
is the main question to be decided.
Iowa now elects her governor and
lieutenant governor in one year and all
the other executive officers in the inter
vening years. The object Of the propos
ed amendment is to throw the cleo
ton of all the executive officers in the
same year, leaving the intervening year
devoid OF general election.
The advantage which has been
claimed for this plan is that it will
concentrate the political activity into
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
STORIES ABOUT PROMINENT
PERSONAGES.

New York Times: When Elihu
Root, now secretary of war, was a lad,
he spent many hours in the company
of his father securing the fields and
woodland for strange plants, vegeta-
bles, shrubs and the seedlings of
trees. The elder Root was profess
sor in Hamilton college, and there
stands today among the buildings of
that college the house where Prof
Oren Root lived and where Secretary
Root was born. This building is now
known as Knox hall or Cabinet hall.
Secretary Roots father had extern
sive gardens. There was profusion
of well trimmed seed beds, and the pro-
fessor experimental with growing
trees as well as wild flowers and wild
vegetables which he found in the
woods surrounding his home.
Many times Secretary Root, when a
boy, in journeying homeward after a
pilgrimage in the woods and through
the fields with his father, passed along
the brow of hill on the old Kirkland
farm, and they stopped there beneath
the shade of a thrifty hemlock, whence
they could view the hills lying on the
other side Of the valley of the Oris-
kany creek, trace the waters of the
stream for many miles as they gleam-
ed among the trees on their way to
the Mohawk in the north, while in the
far landscape they could distinguish
the dim outposts Of the North woods,
which they have. come to call the Ad.
irondacks. The vistas afforded from
the top of College hill, the home of
Hamilton college, were both charming
and extensive, but the ground upon
which the hemlock stood and where
they often rested was bit higher than
the summit of College hill and com.
manded a wider prospect of the sur.
rounding country.
The hemlock tree and its location
made a deep impression on the fan.
cies of the elder Root, and he was
wont to exclaim as he visited the
spot:
81 wish I owned that hemlock
tree!"
Prof. Root died, but his boys con.
tinued to make Kirkland and College
hill their place Of residence. They
were graduated from Hamilton college
and then Oren Root, Jr. became pro.
fessor there, as was his father before
him. Elihu Root became secretary OF
war, and as in the lives of the boys
there were many changes affecting the
growth and development of kirkland
and the village of Clinton. Through
out all, however, the hemlock tree was
spared, and now, through the purchase
of three farms adjoining the Root
homestead, Elihu Root becomes the
owner of the ground and this hemlock
tree, which, to say the least, has had
a rather romantic connection with the
Roots.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
MR.. BLYTHE in IOWA POLITICS

Chicago Herald: When Mr.. Cum
minis and Mr.. Blythe had reached an
agreement, it was only necessary to
nave the endorsement of some of the
great leaders of the party to make the
compact certainty. Senator Allison
was called into the council and gave
his endorsement to the proposition and
from that time on 1T was understood
that the convention would be harmon
ious SO far as the platform was con-
cerned. Yet there was a suppressed
feeling that there was liable to be
trouble and great care was exercised
over the state in the selection of dele
gates for the convention, and when it
came to making up the committees it
was found that there WAS quite strug-
gle on as to which should contribute
the committee on resolutions. The
uncompromising friends of Governor
Cummins failed to secure this commit
tee and as a result Mr.. j. w. Blythe
was made the chairman. When this
fact was known expectation and antic-
ipation were on tiptoe. 1t was expect
ed that there would be trouble and a
lively scrap in the convention was an
tipated, but happily this was averted.
Mr.. Blythe, as chairman of the resolu.
tions committee, appeared before the
convention to read the resolutions and
his appearance was the signal for pro.
longed and enthusiastic applause.
While it was true that Mr.. Blythe has
been a leading and very important fac.
tor in Iowa politics, yet it is fact that
this was his first appearance before a
convention, and his dienified and cour.
teous presentation of the resolutions
won for him the admiration and re-
| spect CT all the delegates. There ie
not doubt but that a great many CT
the Ge,gates who had never seen Mr.
Blythe went home with a very differ.
emit feeling toward him than that en-.
tertained by having read so much OF
him during the last few years. We
have no hesitancy in saying right here
that Mr.. Blythe is one of the leading, il
not the leading man of Iowa in DO
litical and intellectual sense. AS a pri
vate citizen he has maintained a posi-
tive leadership in the republican party
for many years. It is fitting and right
that he should be awarded such rec
ognition as his great talents and
ability as a leader would warrant in
giving him. He ought to be made q
United States senator and in that office
he would add to Iowa's already great
prominence in the national legislature
The future will undoubtedly develop
something in the way of public recog
milton for the valuable services Mr.
Blythe has rendered to the state and tc
tho rfty
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28

almost as fast as the gold could be
gathered there by bond sales. A gener-
al feeling of depression prevailed all
over the land. There was fear that
the country would have to drop to a
silver basis. For time there was
alarm lest the republicans gold re-
sumption law. which went into effect
in 1879, under which Cleveland made
his bond sales. would be Inadequate to
protect the country against the as
saults which were being made on the
treasury's gold fund.
The situation in 1903 is strikingly
different in all respects from that
which prevailed in 1898. Not only is
the gold hoard in the treasury the
largest which has ever been known,
but the general tendency is upward.
Instead of buying gold today, the treas
ury officials would be glad to sell some
OF it or to get rid of it in some other
legitimate way. The endless chain"
which Mr. Cleveland talked about
by which greenbacks. after displacing
gold in the treasury, were used to force
more gold out-has been abolished. No.
body is going to the treasury these
days with greenbacks to exchange fol
gold. The current is in the reverse di.
rection. It gives gold in exchange for
greenbacks. The financial distrust
and fear" which Cleveland mentioned
in his message to congress when it met
in called session ten years ago has
been succeeded by prosperity and CON
fidence. Everybody in the country to-
day who wants work has it. All the
great interests and activities are busy.
The country is happy. prosperous and
hopeful. Where President Cleveland
found calamity President Roosevelt
sees good times in a higher degree
than the country has ever known
Here is a tale of two administrations
which carries it's own moral to the
minds of the American people.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28

the governorship in two years. 1t looks
now very much like Perkins would be
the next governor of this great state,
but two years is a long time in politics
and many changes may take place
Perkins is a much stronger man all
over the state since the republican
state convention. His speech at that
convention seemed to be just what
was needed. 1t has made a lasting
reputation for him in Iowa politics. He
is a clean, courageous man and that
taken in connection with his ability
will go long way toward giving him
the coveted nomination.
Eddyville Tribune: Major Lacey is
not lacking in political courage. He
says what he thinks and acts in accord
ance with what he says. He has a
way of putting things that the people
remember. Few Iowa republicans have
done more for the party or fought to
a greater disadvantage than Major
Lacey. There was time when his dis
trict was populistic in tendencies. This
time has passed and the republican ma
jorities in the sixth district are a mon
ument to the indefatigibIe exertions Of
its congressman. There are rumors to
the effect that Major Lacey will have
opposition for the nomination next
year. These rumors have not ceased
for the past few years but for one reas-
on the opposition has failed to materi
alize. Those who oppose him cannot
fail to realize the grip that Major La.
cey has upon the people of the sixth
district. Some of the men who have
been mentioned as candidates are
strong men. They would make credit.
able representatives in congress but
at the present time the people of the
district are for Major Lacey.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
HOW BRYAN Isl sNUBRED.

Topeka Capital: William J. Bryan's
continual abuse of Grover Cleveland
must be discouragina, business to the
ex-orator of the Platte. The more he
pounds Grover the more the latter's
repute grows in the land. And what
is most distressing of all, nothing can
provoke the Princeton sage to word
of retort. Such a persistent and pro-
longed dose of snubbing no public man
probably was ever afflicted with as
Bryan has had to bear from the only
democrat elected president in half q
century.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
WHERE THE LOSS FALLS.

Washington Post: Despite the eff
forts of the walking delegates, the
great strike Of the building trades in
New York City, which has been in pro-
gress since May 4, is about ended, and
most of the 125,000 workmen who have
been idle are returning to their places
New York newspapers are now figur-
ing up the cost Of the strike, the most
conservative estimates showing that
the men who have been on strike have
lost more than $90,00O,OO0 in wages,
and return to work at practically the
old scale, so that the loss is total, can
never be made up. The loss to invest
ors in public buildings and to the en-
ployers and contractors is estimated to
be even greater than that sustained by
the employees, and it is now generally
admitted that nothing has been gained
for the laboring men. 1t is also gener-
ally conceded that there was no just
cause for the strike, as the differences
between the workmen and their en-
ployers could easily have been adjust
ed by arbitration.
The loss, unfortunately, falls upon
the families of the strikers, upon the
women and children who usually suffer
from affairs of this kind, in which they
have no part, except bearing the bur
dens. Few families of worhngmen in
New York have an income of $1,000 6
year, most Of them living upon about
half that sum. Upon the liberal esti
mate of $1,000 a year, however, the loss
| to the workmen in the strike just end
ed represents the income of 80, 900 fam.
lilies for year. Divided among 1885,,
900 worlmen, it means that each labor.
ling mans family will have its years
income reduced by one-fourth. This
means economy and possible hardship
Ito the wives and children of these
workmen during the coming winter, a
Icurtailing of allowances for clothing
books and rigid economy in the pur
chase and use of all household sup
piles. 1t is to be deeply regretted that
the burden of the strike must fall
where it does, but it will serve good
purpose if it causes laboring men to
think more Of their families needs
than they do of the bossy dictations Of
walking delegates. Such a change OF
thought will make arbitration more at
tractive and lessen the possibility Of
| future strikes.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
OH, ARsALoM, MY SON.

The following beautiful poem was
written by the late SD. Evans in men,
DRY of his infant son, Samuel McDon-
aid Evans, who died April 1881, at the
age of one year.
NO father and no mother who have
children "over there" but will, appre-
ciate and deeply cherish the, senri-
ment:
oh, Absalom, My Son.
oh, Absalom, My Son! My son!
It is the old, old cry;
Oh, Absalom, my son!
Thus I become king David's fellow
mourner,
And he to me from this time hence
forth.
Is no more the fierce war-chief Of
Israel,
Nor yet the Jewish prince,
But the bowed-down father;
Whose heart, like mine, was pulled to-
ward the grave,
By the fingers of son.
But mine. he was innocentl
And my grief is more tender
Than that of Judah's Lord.
My son was pure, holy, sweet,
His hair was golden and his eyes were
brown;
His lips-they tasted naught, save that
Which came from his mothers heart.
And ere he died she pressed him to
her breast,
And begged the boon-to give him,
once more. life!
i prayed then. to all the mothers /
knew in Heaven,
To take my boy and give him tender
care;
To her whose son had died on Calvary,
Mother of all babes-orphans in the
skies -
To keep him until we shall come.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
CLEVELAND AND THE PREsl-
DENCY,

st. Louis Globe-De Democrat: II should
be utterly unable to accept such a prop
osition," said Mr.. Cleveland, a few
weeks ago, in reference to the sug-
gestion that he might be asked to take
the post of president of the University
of Virginia. That disposed OF the
chance that he would be placed in
that office. OF course, not many per-.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-28
HON. w. w. EPPs.

Keokul County News: Hon. w. w.
Epps of Ottumwa had no opposition for
committeeman from the sixth district.
He is a gentleman well qualified to fill
the place and will be an earnest hard
worker. He will look after the inter-
ests of the party we'll and faithfully.