davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-15

a stranger to the clerk. The only thing
he could say was that l had been Il
guest at the hotel. L learned that the
next train for Chicago did not leave
until 10 o'clock, so 1 explained to the
marshal that 1 did not think l had bet
ter call up the doctor until morning,
and asked if | couldn't remain at the
hotel until then. AT first he wanted
to take me to Jail, but I told him in
order to prevent that 1 would, of
course, call up the doctor. At length
he agreed and we sat up the re-
mainder of the night in the smoking
room. In the morning l was able to
convince him. through the aid of the
doctor, that 1 was what represented
myself to be, and we parted good
friends. That was the only experience
1 ever had of that kind"
The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-15

IS F there is anyone on earth whom
we wouldn't mind seeing lynch
ed it is the man who uses slugs
in our pay stations" said telephone
man yesterday.
The use of slugs in the slot machine
phones costs each of the st. Paul tel
ephone mompanies about $50 month,
but the actual loss on each system
reaches many times that amount each
month. It means that the telephone
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26

the municipality can ever compensate
for the awful evil that is being done
in this community.
Talk about money. We wish we
could say that not dollar of this blood
money goes into the city treasury.
Not dollar of it goes there legally,
and before the law OF God and man,
this city has no more right to fitch
such tribute money from the vicious or
unfortunate than has any individual.
At the election next Monday the
people will decide whether this system
is to continue, or whether an admin
istration shall be put in power which
has made the following, plain, and un.
equivocal utterance in the platform
upon which the present city campaign
is being conducted:
We are unalterably opposed to the
city government entering into partner
ship with vice, with system of licens-
ing gambling and prostitution by
means of monthly fines or assess
ments. We believe that these evils
should be reduced to a minimum and
should never exist with the expressed
consent and protection of the munich
pal government
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
TWO GOOD MEASURES.

On the thirtieth of this month two
important matters will be voted upon
that should be carried by good ma
jority. One is to permit the Postal
Telegraph-C Gable Co. to enter the city
and erect its poles on some of the
streets and alleys in the city of Ottum-
wa, and is known as ordinance No. 627,
which was passed by the, council and
approved February 16, 1908. The other
is to grant like privileges to the ANA
dor Farmers mutual Telephone Co.,
known as ordinance No. 624. passed
and approved by the council February
2, 1908 The two companies ask fran
chises to enter and do business in this
city under the same rights given to
other telegraph and telephone COM
panies by the people.
Both are meritorious enterprises and
are needed in the transaction OF bust
ness in this city The Courier believes
it is the spirit of citizens Of Ottumwa
to encourage everything that benefits
the city That these two new lines of
communication will do so is so gener-
ally conceded that it is needless to dis
cuss the subject.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
RECIPROCITY WITH CANADA.

Owing to the conditions that exist
it may be long time before this coun-
try has trade reciprocity with Canada.
Reciprocity in competitive products
does not appeal very strongly to the
people OF the United States, preferring
that the home market be preserved for
home producers. Germany at present
is taking this step to encourage agri-
culture.
There is no disposition to make an
exception in favor of Canada There
is no inclination to permit her competi-
tive products to come into this country
free of duty. But Canada is not in a
position to enter into a suitable reel
procity treaty with this country. On
this phase of the question the Ameri.
can Economist says:
She (Canada) is bound hand and
foot by contract to give to imports
from the United Kingdom preference
of 80 1-3 per cent below the tariff rate
imposed upon imports from any other
country While this arrangement re-
mains in force Canada can make no
proffer of reciprocity that the United
States could by any possibility CON
slider. Still less, with this preferential
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
A LESSON FROM HISTORY.

In 1893 the calamity which came to
this country through democratic
was enough to silence free
traders. 1t was only a partial inaug-
uration of their theories, but had their
whole plan been adopted bankruptcy
would have been the result all over
this country. After the sad lesson the
people learned at that time, the same
element again comes forward and
says that protection is wrong. They
tell us that we must tear down the
walls which keep out goods made by
pauper labor in other countries.
This old song sounds as strangely
familiar as the songs of childhood. 1t
has been sung before and captivated
the people. When it became a ma
tional air business industries were par
alyzed, financial disaster followed and
free soup houses fiourished. When it
prevailed prosperity disappeared and
hard times and discomfort took it's
place.
1t is a matter of history that ev-
cry time protection was abandoned in
dustrial paralysis followed. On the
other hand, with protection there has
always been prosperity. The lesson
history teaches is plain. No man of
ordinary intelligence need read it the
second time. 1t is strange that polit-
ical party will go before the people
and try to inculcate the doctrine of
free trade, which has always brought
calamity to the country and misery to
the people. The wise course is to let
well enough alone
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
DEMOCRATIC INsINcERITY.

The expected usually happens when
the democratic party takes a hand in
anything. For many months demo-
cratic senators, congressman and the
press have accused the republican
party with doing nothing for Cuba
along the line of reciprocity. But when
it came to a final vote in the senate
during the extra session the very men
who were the loudest in their accusa-
lions voted against the reciprocity
measure. This is consistency with a
vengeance and shows the most fla
grant insincerity.
1t has been the aim of the repubii-
can party and the administration all
along to aid Cuba in every way where
this aid did not work hardship to the
American people. At no time was there
any intention of lodging our obliga-
lions to the people of that country, or
of violating a single promise. But
democratic leaders, for the purpose of
making campaign material, threw OBJ
stacles in the way and used every
means at their command to prejudice
the people of the United States against
Cuban reciprocity, while at the same
time charging the republican party
with seeking to violate it's promises.
1t usually happens when great ques-
lions come to final vote democratic
hypocrisy is uncovered. 1t was GER
tainly so in the vote on the Cuban rec
iprocity measure. In, that bill was
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
IN SMALL BUSINESS.

In Manila all is not peace and har-
mony and a few misguided Filipinos
have not forgotten some of the advice
given to them by democrats in the
United States when they were in open
rebellion against the only country on
earth which befriended them. In or
der to complicate conditions there and
keep the island in eternal turmoil,
what is known as a national party has
been organized, which claims to be
working for Filipino freedom, when,
as matter of fact, the leaders are u.s.
ing that as a guise to stir up trouble.
Senior Gomez the president of the
national party, says that his party is
in correspondence with the democratic
leaders in the United States, and wants
them to send representative there
to direct the operations and policy of
their party. From this it is inferred
that back of these disturbances are
some democrats in the United States,
who are advising those obstructionists
from safe distance. AS he does not
particularize to whom he is writing,
the inference is that the leaders in this
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
THE SHOWING OF FAVoRlTlSM
COMPLETES

The publication of the list of claims
for supplies purchased of members OF
the city council for the use of the
smallpox cases. makes the showing OF
personal favoritism on the part of the
members of the city council, absolute
and complete. Out of S4,216.52 eX-
pended for grocery supplies, Mayor
Picker and Aldermen Deeds and
Barnes received, s3,SO6.63 The fifty
or more other groeers in the city receiv-
ed $409.92. Tom Gibbons, who was a
member of the council, refused to be
party to any such rank personal fav-
oritism. Alderman Mather we are in
formed, positively refused to sell sew
er pipe to the city. Alderman Gibbons
and Alderman Mather were not renom-
mated. Mayor Picker and Aldermen
Barnes and Deeds were 1t is for the
voters to say what they think about it
on election day.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26

system standing in the way, can the
United States make any proffer We
are not saying that even if the British
preference no longer blocked the game
the United States could be persuaded to
take a hand, but certainly, as matters
now stand, it is idle to talk about any
reciprocity dicker, least of all dicker
in which the United States shall be
the first to open up negotiations. Reel
procity with Canada is hopeless under
existing conditions and likely to re-
main so.
Reciprocity with Canada in all the
products of that country would be a
serious menace to the agricultural in
terests of this country. especially along
our northern border, There are coun-
tries with which reciprocal trade rela-
lions can be made with profit because
the products do not conflict, but with
Canada it is different. Countries that
produce what we do not and we pro-
duce what they do not are the only
safe ones with which to make reci-
procity compacts.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
MORE BILLS FOR THE TAXPAYER.

Why is it that those bills in the wa
terworks squabble, were held back ?
Even if one of them is out of the city
they should not be held over until aft
er the election. These attorneys will
have to be paid. The taxpayers will
have to foot the bill and the council
ought to at least be willing to let it
be known what the amount is the tax
payer will have to dig up, and it has
turned out that this expenditure was
absolutely useless and amounted to
nothing but expense to the citizens.
But that is all that this council has
been able to do SO far with this whole
waterworks question-make expense
bills for the people to pay.
But the council should not get SO
highly indignant when the taxpayer
simply asks what it is he is paying for.
The man who pays the bill certainly
has right to see an itemized account
whether it is for the waterworks farce
or groceries.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
THE COMMISSIONS REPORT.

The report of the coal strike COM
mission is favorable to the miners, and
it the operators acquiesce in it condi-
tons in the great anthracite regions
will show decided improvement at
once. The finding of the commission
is in favor of increased wages and a
slight reduction in the working hours
of miners. All fair minded people be-
lieve that the miners are entitled to
better compensation than they have
been getting, and the commissions
finding will be considered just and
eminently fair to these tollers.
1t is recommended by the commits
sion that all differences in the future
be submitted to a board of arbitration,
but does not recommend or ia
vor compulsiry arbitration. The
suggestion should be freely accepted
by both parties in all labor disputes,
which will do away with disastrous
and expensive strikes in the future to
large extent.
One significant clause in the report,
which will set people to thinking, is as
follows: No person shall be refused
employment or in any way discrimi-
mated against on account of member
ship or non-membership in any labor
organization, and there shall be no
discrimination against or interference
with any employe who is not a mem
Der of any labor organization by mem
bers of such organization" This
means that operators cannot refuse
employment to miners who are mem
oers of labor organizations, and that
union men cannot interfere with non
union men. The principle is a sound
one, but it is to be feared that neither
side will follow it's wise suggestions.
The finding of the commission will
be recognized as impartial. The great
question before that body was thor
oughly sifted and no bias was permit
ted to enter into the conclusions
reached
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
CERTAINLY NOT,

The Oskaloosa Herald asks in all
seriousness: did free trade ever kill
trust or did the tariff ever form nu-
cleus around which one was built?"
There is no record that either has oc-
CURED. AS to the first part OF the
question history furnishes negative
reply and the democrats have never
been able to get proofs to contradict
1t. The moment they go into it they are
met with the fact that free trade has
invariably killed about everything else
In business way except the trusts.
During hard times trusts find a great
er degree OF prosperity than they do
when the times are good. 1t is then
that they absorb weak and struggling
competitors, and when good times re-
turn they control the field and have a
largely increased property value That
is what free trade does to the trusts.
The tariff, or more properly speak
ing, protection, encourages domestic
competition, gives the weaker and
smaller concerns chance to live and
expand, creates opportunities for labor
and aids all lines Of industrial pro-
gress. The tariff stands as a promoter
y,
by giving all an equal chance to win
The products of cheap labor in foreign
countries cannot congest our markets
and cripple the earning capacity of
American labor With active competi-
ton at home, trusts do not form and
expand as they would were smaller
competitors out Of the way. Business
stagnation serves as an incubator of
trusts. During the hard times from
1898 to 1897 the foundations We're laid
for many of the worst trusts now in
existence, but with the return Of pros
perity and the opening Of the factories
and mills which were idle for years,
and the return Of men to work which
brought back the demand for products
OF the farm, the trusts have not held
their own, which shows that the tar
iff does not form a nucleus around
which trusts can build.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
PROGRESS OF A RACE

Archbishop Ireland in recent ad-
dress to a delegation of colored men
who called to thank him for the great
interest he is showing in their behalf
said that the stars and stripes had no
meaning whatever unless they mean
the brotherhood of man. A man. he
said, is man, and that is all that the
American constitution requires. He
urged his callers to have patience, and
said, that with the march of civiliza-
ton would result in full recognition
OF their civil and political rights He
also expressed the opinion that there
was not in the history of the
world an example of similar progress
made by any people of any color, and
any race equal to that made by the col
ored people in the forty years since
President Lincoln declared them free
and independent.
What the distinguished and patri-
otto archbishop said is true. The ne
gro race has had to face conditions
which were the outgrowth of prejudice
that were never the lot OF any other
people When the race was given it's
freedom and independence it was un.
SuuSeeeCu diiu Pool, anu llOC WSll HlIGQ
to cope in many ways with white men.
Coming out Of bondage the negroes
scarcely knew how to use their free
dom. They were thrown upon their
own resources in section where pre-
JUDGE sought their ruin and at period
in our national history when the choas
of war made it more difficult for them
to start in on their new lives.
But as pointed out by Archbishop
Ireland, the negroes have made Won
derful progress within forty years.
Their success has surprised the world
and put to rout the people who assert
ed that the colored man would never
show the development necessary to
American citizenship. Instead of
standing still or retrograding, the col
ored people have done all in their pow
er to elevate themselves and catch up
with the spirit of our institutions.
Their progress is being applauded by
the best men in this country, and NAV
the race continue to go forward with a
redoubled determination to not oniy
win, but live down the prejudice that
has been serious handicap.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
LANDS AND sPEcuLA1oRs.

1t is reported on what Seems to be
good authority that government public
lands are passing into the hands of
spectators at the rate of 75,000,O00
acres year. This is land enough to
give 100 acres each to more thon 1885,
900 families. The condition is not as
1t should be. The first thing to be
considered in the settlement of our un-
occupied domain should be that actual
settlers be given the first chance and
encouraged to use it by the enactment
OF wholesome state laws so that taxa
ton does not eat up the surplus they
create. Large railroad grants, which
were the popular methods some years
ago to secure railroad extensions are
in measure responsible for conditions
as they now exist. Spectators saw
their opportunity and quickly took adj
vantage of it.
Another thing that has contributed
largely to the lands passing into the
hands OF spectators developed some
years ago, especially in the northwest
AS the railroads opened up new and
unoccupied territory people f1ocked in
to these unsettled regions and took
up homesteads, prescriptions and tree
claims. Many of these early settlers
were without means to pay their ex-
penses until they could secure titles,
and after remaining on the land for the
six months required by law, proved up
by paying $1.25 an acre on their HON e.
steads and prescriptions, and borrowed
the money from mortgage companies
to do it with. In this way they secur-
ed few hundred dollars above what
it cost to secure titles from the gov
|ernment. Some remained on their land
and tried to pay the debt, but thous--
ands abandoned their farms and re-
turned to their former homes. and the
mortgage conf anies got the lands by
foreclosure. These companies are
holding these abandoned farms for
speculative purposes, and are securing
contiguous property at as low prices
as they can get it in order to make
their holdings as large as possible in
one body.
The lands thus held by spectators
do not contribute to the material
wealth of the respective common
wealths through agricultural pro-
ducts, and because of the wild state
VI tHS ldliu IdAeS are lSHl. AS re-
suit actual farmers bear larger bur
dens than they should and these new
states suffer in comparison with states
where the realty is in the hands of
men who till it,
Fortunately for Iowa the area held
by spectators is very small, and what
is held is being cultivated Small, well
titled farms are much better than large
farms. A quarter section on which a
man makes his home is better for a
state than whole section in the
hands of one man which contains but
one home.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
A GOOD DECISION.

Some good things occur in Missou-
ri at times and that great state is
good in spots and the spots seem to
be growing more numerous. One of
the best things that has happened in
any state for years TRANSFERRED in Mis-
souri, one day last week when the su.
that Armour, Swift, Hammond and
the Schwartzchild & Sulsenberger
packing companies must pay a fine of
$4,000 each and all costs for going in.
to a beef combine last year for the
purpose of robbing the public. The
court further decided that if the firms
and costs are not paid within thirty
days these packing firms will be kick
ed out OF Missouri.
When these large packers entered
into combine early last year their
intention was to force independent
packing companies to the wall and
thus control the entire meat output
and charge any price they saw fit.
This combination was responsible for
the eXorbitant price of meat that
quickly followed it's formation, and is
beyond reason even at this time. The
combination was far-reaching in it's
effects. The Missouri courts got after
the packers and in the trial which fol
lowed a verdict of guilty was returned
An appeal to the supreme court con
firmed the verdict of the lower court
and now the packers must pay up or
get out of the state.
Missouri seems to have got hold of
the right combination to reach wicked
combinations of which the packers
combine was surely one of them. The
public will applaud Missouri justice in
this particular case. 1t has the right
ring to it,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26
cHEckMATED AGAIN.

One of the positively absurd fea-
lures of the municipal campaign is the
effort of the city administration (after
having appropriated practically every
thing else in sight to try to delude
the voter by claiming credit
even for Mr.. Underwood's waterworks
receivership. The fact is that while
the administration was standing
a.ound talking in subdued whispers
about receivership and trying to de-
eide what to do next, without really
doing anything, just as has been the
case for the past two years, Mr.. I'm
derwood made single move and the
administration lambs were checkmated
again Mr.. Underwood secured the
appointment of his own man as receiv-
er and the business is in the hands of
the federal court, which has been uni
formly friendly to the water company.
Truly the city administration won a
famous victory" CD in securing such
a receivership. This matter, however,
is only in accord with the record that
the administration has made on this
whole waterworks business. What OF
tumwa needs and what we believe the
people of Ottumwa propose to have,
is a business council with the ability
to do things and do them right, when
they should be done. If the voters of
Ottumwa elect the republican ticket
next Monday, there will be an end of
such foolishness as has marked the
entire record of the present council
with reference to waterworks.