Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-19
IOWA SCHOOL CHILDREN OBJ.
SERVE CENTENNIAL OF LOU.
lsiANA TRANSFER.
NEW ORLEANS is GAY
One Hundred Years Ago the Formal
cession to the United States of the
Vast Louisiana Territory Was Con-
summated-Marvelous Development

Des Moines, Dec. 18.-One hundred
years ago next Sunday occurred the
formal transfer of Iowa as part of
the Louisiana territory to the United
States. In commemoration of the
event 900 schools in the Hawkeye
state are holding special services to-
day. The plans which were suggest
ed by Governor Cummins and Superin-
tednent Barrett, in a large pamphlet
issued in October from the education
al department are being carried out.
Celebration at New Orleans.
New Orleans, Dec. 1S.-Under the
auspices of the state of Louisiana, and
the New Orleans and Louisiana Histo-
rical society, series of official cele-
brations in commemoration of the
centennial of the transfer of the Louis
lana territory from France to the Uni
ted States was begun today.
Ships Reviewed Today.
Today's feature is a review by Gov
ernor Heard and party of distinguish
ed guests of the French and American
warships which have come here to as
sist in the ceremonies.
q .
The story of the marvellous develop
ment of the Louisiana territory in g
century reads like fairy tale, but is
in reality the story of American pro-
| gressiveness characteristic of the
people. On October 1, 1901, a treaty was
made by which Spain ceded to France
all of the vast province of Louisiana;
but before Napoleon could take ad-
vantage of this acquisition England
L hnr 1y,v,ai inc sol, 4 tI,r
French SO hard that Napoleon feared
that Great Britain would cut France
| off from the entire territory. The
| French ana Americans We're tradi-
tional friends and the young emperor
| determined to transfer his new lands
to a.friendly power able to defend Ant
hold IT.
History of Treaty.
Confidential negotiations were open.
ed with the American minister tc
France and the scheme was at once
/ communicated to President Jefferson
| He was rejoiced at the prospect of be.
ing able to secure by peaceful means
such vast and important addition tt
the new republic. On April 80, 1903
| this treaty was concluded by which
| Louisiana was ceded to the United
States for s15.000,O00.
When this treaty was brought be-
| fore the senate constitutional objec.
tions were made, but in view of tht
national commercial and financia
benefits to be derived opposition soor
disappeared. The treaty, which wa.
negotiated for the United States b,
Robert r. Livingston, minister pleni.
! potentiary, and James Monroe, envo.
1 extraordinary, was ratified by thu
senate october 10. 1903, and by act O
congress October 81 President Jefferson
was authorized to take possession o
the territory. On December 90, 1903
one hundred years ago next Sunday
possession was taken by the govern
ment at New Orleans through Cover
nor William G. G. Claiborne, who hat
been appointed by the president.
4 From the Louisiana territor,
were organized the Indian ant
i Oklahoma territories and tn,
states of Oregon, Washington, Iowa
Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri. Mime
sofa, Kansas, Nebraska. Colorado
1 North and South Dakota, and Mon
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