davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
A PROBABLE PLANK.

It is rumored that Iowa democrats
will incorporate in their state platform
plank demanding the government
ownership of all railroads. 1t is said
that Judge Van Wagner is welded to
the idea, as is also Hon. j. HI. Quick
of Sioux City, who will be temporary
chairman of the convention. He will
try to sound the keynote of the cam
paign and in all probability will advo
cate plank of the kind mentioned.
AT present Judge Van Wagner is
in the lead for the nomination, and
while it will prove an empty honor,
it will give him little advertising. He
will naturally want platform that
will track with his erratic ideas, and
as one of these ideas is the govern
ment ownership of railroads he will
probably demand plank OF the kind
as Bryan did the free silver plank in
the Kansas City platform.
AS the Iowa democrats are at sea
as to just what issue to paramount and
go before the people with, almost any
thing can be expected. They have
found to their sorrow the danger atten
ding the paramounting of free silver
and the insertion of the plank lauding
Aguinaldo and favoring the sidetrack
ing of American progress. A switch
this year to that of government owner
ship Of railroads will be received with
pleasure by Iowa republicans. AS
Judge Van Wagner is willing to be the
victim he should be permitted to pick
out his own sepulchre.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
A UNIQUE STATESMAN.

Washington Post.-Although Bryan.
ism is and long has been a decadent
factor in American politics, the gentle
man from whom it takes its name is
still an interesting figure. His wonder
full career has been spectacular to the
last degree ever since he began the
speech which captured the democratic
convention of 1896 and enabled him to
carry off the nomination that logically
and equitably belonged to Richard P.
Bland. Sensationalism has been the
chief characteristic of all that he has
done since the democratic party made
that Hateful mistake.
OF all the men who have obtained
great prominence in our political an
nails, he is the most unique. At no
point does his record coincide with
that Of any other leader. 1t is but a
fair Illustration of his eXceptionable-
ness to note that he is the only man
to whom defeat in the presidential
race. with the resultant condemnation
OF the policy for which he stood, has
been the gateway to financial success.
Another illustration will suffice, al
though there are hundreds of them
available. He stands alone as the one
defeated presidential candidate, who,
in opposition to the conservatism of
his party, has used his influence to
procure the endorsement and inau-
guration Of such a new and startling
departure from American policy and
traditions as was involved in the SOW
ereignty of the United States over the
Philippine archipelago
More than to any other man, except
the statesman who triumphed over
him at the polls, is this republic indcbt-
ed to Mr. Bryan for that plunge into
the Orient. But there was this diff
ference between the successful and the
unsuccessful leader-McKinley believ-
ed in that new departure, while the
spectacular and sensational Nebraskan
did not believe in it. One promoted
what he believed would rebound to
the honor and prosperity of his coun-
try; the other was willing TO get his
country into trouble as the means Of
furnishing the paramount ISSUE
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
CLEVELAND scAREs THEM.

The proposed visit of Grover Cleve-
land to the west is making a great
many democrats tremble. The editor
of the Dubuque Telegraph Gree sill
ver) is one of them. He says that
sit is highly probable he will be
brought forward as candidate for
the nomination for president. The
Telegraph goes on further to say:
Mr.. Cleveland is impossible as the
democrat nominee for president. 1t
might as well be said now as later
that if he shall be nominated the Bry-
an democrats will oppose his election
and will themselves nominate a candi-
date. True democrats are concerned
with the welfare OF. the masses and
are unalterably opposed to Mr.. Cleve-
land because he wrecked the party,
because he prostituted it to selfish in
terests and was the instrument of en-
forcing the will of the corporate and
financial interests of Wall street, the
consequence of which was a panic
that brought want and misery to the
homes of millions of Americans.
Democracy will have none of Cleve-
land or Cleyelandism. The Bryan in
fluence, if not strong enough to defeat
him in convention, will beat him at
the polls.
AS between Cleveland and Roose-
welt, the country would be safer with
the latter and true democrats recog-
nize this fact.
This is direct threat that the Bry-
land is nominated, and either put up
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02

ticket or vote for Roosevelt. But,
Just the same, large majority of the
people will not accept as gospel the
charge of the Telegraph that Cleve-
land wrecked the democratic party
and brought want and misery to the
homes of millions of Americans 1t
was the leaders in his party who af-
forwards became Bryan's lieutenants
that caused all the trouble, and Mr..
Cleveland tried to protect the finan-
clal interests of this country. The
party wrecked itself, and will remain
wreck SO long as it's present leaders
control its destinies.
But the Telegraph is right when it
says that "as between Cleveland and
Roosevelt the country would be safer
with the latter" This truth is so pa
tent that it is useless to discuss it.
The country is always safe when in
the hands of republican administra-
ton.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
DEMOCRATIC POVERTY.

=
st. Louis obe-Democrat-The fact
that Clevelands name comes up fire.
quently as a possibility shows the alb
ject poverty of the democracy in pres
idential availabilities. There is a gen
eral desire in the south and the east
to take an eastern man for democratic
standard bearer in 1904, but the cir
cumstance that Cleveland often figures
as that man is calculated to give point
to the forebodings of those democrats
who say their party is on the verge of
the potter's field The republicans
would naturally like to have an op-
ponent who would be strong enough
to give some interest to the canvass,
but when serious democrats talk Of
Cleveland as possibility the outlook
for an interesting campaign next year
which would make the republicans try
to get out their full vote is dark.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
Wage earners in Iowa generally will

Wage earners in Iowa generally, will
feel pleased that DR.. B. l.. Eiker has
failed Of denomination to the senate
from Decatur county. During one ses-
sion of the legislature of which the
doctor was member Of the senate,
he introduced bill to pinch labor by
taking from it the protection of ex-
emption which is thrown around all
other classes of people. He wanted
to have a law passed that the head of
the family and all the earnings of his
household could only claim So week
as exempt from garnishment. Other
men were not molested in their rights
under the law. but he wanted laboring
men to suffer The bill died in the
committee room, but that does not
change the fact that such class legis-
lation was attempted by the Decatur
statesman should retire its author to
private life.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.
New in Politics.

Iowa City Republican: Candidate
Paine has pretty contest on in the
first ward. He refuses to furnish beer
to the boys and there is trouble ahead.
1t is not believed that some of them
will stand the shock; it was so sudden
like. And now the boys say they pro-
pose to show present and future candi-
dates that man who will not shell
OUT cannot be elected from that ward.
Mr.. Paine is new in politics and has
a notion that he can run his campaign
on the reputation of giving 1000
pounds of coal to the ton, and being
taxpayer.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02

demand will surely bring about re-
auctions for which we formerly de-
lpended upon competition. The deal
ers in materials and the dealers in
labor may get together in agreements
as to what consumers and employers
must pay, but if the price he an alb
normal or unreasonable one the public
finds itself at liberty to let the invest
ment alone. Take the case of build
ling, for instance. OF course, there
lis a certain amount of building which
must be done each year. This con-
struction will have to go on whatever
the cost may be. But the breat bulk
Iof building operations is in another
class. 1t represents the placing of
idle money for investment Now, this
money will cease to seek investm ent
lin the building line the moment the
transaction fails to hold out promise
lof profit. The investor cannot be bull
Idozed into paying more for his build
ling than he thinks it worth. Thus it
lis that as soon as the conviction gets
abroad that building operations are
being conducted on too high q scale
there will be a let UP in speculative
transactions in that line. The neces-
isary building operations will go on,
but they will not be sufficient to
utilize either the stocks of materials
on hand or the quantities of labor
seeking employment. Then will come
the readjustment, Prices for both
materials and labor will tend down
ward, and after they have touched a
level looked upon as reasonable. and
rational the extensive building opera
lions may be looked for again.
People are learning to adjust them
selves to present conditions and con-
sumo less because prices are high.
This they did when combinations
crowded up the price of meat, and it
lis being done all along the line Be
cause the people are generally pros
Iperous is no logical reason why they
should be robbed to contribute to the
wealth of men who monopolize pro-
ducts. Men who control the prices of
commodities should be careful how
they exercise their power, and labor
must be paid what it is worth in
every calling Abnormal prices are
never permanent. They may rule for a
while, but a slump comes in time and
establishments are often serious.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02

English system, and there is the
American system. The last combines
the chief features of the other two.
The Englishman goes to work late
and comes away early; but during
working hours he works all the time.
HIS luncheon is light, and eaten has
tily-perhaps at his desk. For this
he makes up by a leisurely breakfast
and a leisurely dinner; while he has
the early part of the morning and the
latter part of the afternoon to himself
The Frenchman, on the other hand
goes to work early, and works hard
till noon. The American is apt to I'M
derrate the energy with which the
Frenchman works while he is work
ing. But at noon work ceases and he
sits down to an abundant meal, well
cooked, well served, and eaten with
appetite and in peace.
After his dejeuner he has his petit
verre, his smoke, and perhaps a game
of domlnoes or cards; while he dis
cusses politics, the arts, or the topics
of the day. He takes his two hours
OF refreshment as a matter of course;
he has no prickings of conscience at
wasting time, nor searchings of heart
of him" Even the laborer, who in
America eats his cold midday meal in
ditch or behind pile of boards, gem
orally sits down in Europe to a decent
table, deftly served, and, however
coarse his food, has time to eat 9TH
erwise than as the lower animals.
Then, with mind cleared and cheered,
and body strengthened and refreshed,
laboring man and business man re-
turn to their tasks, to work hard and
late.
The American system, as we have
said, combines the chief features Of
the other two. The American goes to
work early, like the Frenchman; like
the Frenchman, he works hard; like
the Frenchman, he works late; but,
like the Englishman, he takes no time
to himself at midday. His luncheon
is the merest snack" it is often cook
ed badly and served worse; it is often
er still, perhaps, drawn from paper
in his pocket, and not served at all.
AS for any intellectual repose or men
tai distraction from the grim facts of
work-not only is it not thought of,
but the very idea would be laughed to
scorn. From the moment of setting
forth to the moment of return mind
and body alike are deprived of their
proper nourishment and rest.
1t is scarcely strange, therefore, that
Europe should be rich in elegant
American widows and orphans, and
the churchyards at home too full of
young mems graves.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
WHAT THE NEWSPAPER DOES.

New York Press: Your great man
shines before the populace in vain
without the newspaper. He spread
eagles the constitution in vain-with-
out the newspaper. His clarion voice
wakes up the universe in vain without
the newspaper. His most astound-
ing financial enterprises serve him in
vain-without the newspaper. His
wireless telegraph would be an &C
complishment of small merit without
the newspaper. His successes in every
walk in life are in vain-without the
newspaper. The newspaper is the fame
maker of the age. OF course some of
the fame is cheap, but it satisfies the
living wearer of the cloak, even though
posterity change it.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED.


Cincinnati Enquirer: Some pessi-
mistic bachelor who pretends to have
faithfully read the accounts of
the convention of the Daughters
of the American Revolution just
held in Washington, writes to ask:
What was it they did, anyhow?s Well.
they elected officers, and they gave
some demonstrations in parliamentary
procedure which almost made the
rapid-fire process of the house of rep
resentatives look solemn Some of
the men are reported to have been
very proud of the ladies. Others are
looking more than ever for life part
ners who hold closely to the beauties
of domesticity, and who do not raise
their piping little voices in an audito-
rum so large that the deep toned Ed
win Forrest could not have filled it.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
POLICE AND SCHOOLS.

Interesting statistics are being pre-
pared by DR.. w T. Harris, commits
sioner of education for the United
States, as to the money paid for the
suppression of vice in our largeNt CT
ties and the money expended for edu-
cational purposes. The figures are TAX
en- from official reports and special da-
ia secured from all the largest cities.
The statistics are based on official re-
ports for 1901, and they embrace the
amounts paid to teachers and the
maintenance of public schools and po-
lice forces.
1t has been discovered by DR.. Harris
that ST. Louis is the only city in the
United States where more money is
paid to policemen than to the teachers
and the maintenance of the public
schools in that city. The ratio is 95
cents for schools and 81 for the police
The schools in st. Louis cost the tax
payers in 1901, the sum of $1,526, 140,
and the police force 1902, 1872.
The report shows that Minneapolis
pays $40 for free public schools for
every dollar paid for police support.
Chicago gives the schools 1924 for
every uoildi given W INC poHce, NEW
York $1.93 to schools to ST to the po-
lice; Louisville, Boston, Washington,
Pittsburg, Detroit, and San Francis
co $1.50 for schools to 81 to the po-
lice.
The statistics are not very compli-
mentary to educational matters in St
Louis, and seem to indicate that moral
conditions in that city are on lower
plane than in other large city in this
country Statistics from small cities
would be interesting.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
many Of the schedules may be suscep.

many of the schedules may be suscep-
tible of change and improvement.
Our object, however, is not to dis
cuss the tariff. The Gazette simply
maintains that good conditions have
grown up under the present tariff and
that there is no demand for tariff
changes or for even tariff contro-
versy in Iowa at the present time. The
republican party is the party of pro.
lection or it is the party of nothing
Past tariff changes have not been for
tunate even when made by the republi
can party. This discussion, which
will now take on new life, would better
have been dropped.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
BIG DAMAGE vERDlcTs.

Philadelphia Press-The New York
Central has faced another heavy YER
dict in the award of the jury of $780,
900 damages for the death of Earnest
+. Walton, member of the New York
Stock exchange who was killed in the
tunnel accident.
This is one of the heaviest damages
ever awarded for a death in state
where few years ago damages We're
limited to $4,000 in case of loss of life
This was abolished by the last consti-
tutional convention and our own con-
stitution wisely prohibits the general
assembly from passing acts limiting
damages. This is as it should be. The
public has no more effective way of
forcing the railroads to provide for the
safety of their passengers except by
making it more costly to kill a man
than to carry him safely The courts
have by their doctrine of negligence,
surrounded the corporation at every
point. In countless cases the injury
proves to be one which, under judge
made law. brings no damages.
Where damages can be assessed it
is well that juries should make them
heavy enough to instill caution into
corporations. The size of verdicts I'M
der this just public view steadily
arises. Ten years ago the New York
court reduced verdict of $4,000 for a
mason's leg to $4,000 on the ground
that the larger sum was too much; but
sums as large have since been awarded
without objection by the ourts.Twen-
ty years ago an award of $4,000 was
the largest which had been made for
loss of life. and ten years ago, when a
jury in this city awarded $4,000 in
the case of C. S. Boyd, it was consid-
cred an exceptionally large sum.
Since then Judge Wilson has con-
firmed verdict of $4,000 to woman
for injuries to her spine in a traction
car; New York court has awarded
the same sum for the loss of an eye
though in England in the same year
an eye was only held at $1,750. A
Brooklyn jury six years ago reached
the limit in the award of $24,25O for a
little girls leg. Few little girls would
sell their legs for less, and the jury
was undoubtedly led to this valuation
by the large number OF legs which had
been cut off in Brooklyn until the dam
ages paid by the Brooklyn Traction
company amounted to one-tenth of its
receipts.
| The late Earnest F. Walton, as a
member of the New York stock ex-
change, received large income, and
the jury has very properly taken this
into account. Just as an Arkansas
jury did the same in awarding widow
$4,000 for the loss of her husband,
though the verdict to Mrs. Homer Bal
dwin for 100000 against the New York
| Central still remains the limit.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
SHIRT WAIST is GOOD ENOUGH

Muscatine Journal: At a meeting of
dressmakers in Chicago the shirt waist
was condemned as being common and
cheap. The official ban of society was
placed on the garment. If the women
of this country have any spunk they
will not allow coterie of other wom-
en- to take away that cherished institu-
ton and relegate it to the has been
class. The next We know these things
that button up the back will be foisted
on the people and because some hus-
bands cannot afford a maid the men
folks in the family will be compelled
to manipulate a seeming never ending
row of buttons. The shirt waist is
good enough
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02

of the people as expressed at the
polls. AS we stated during the cam
paign, the final responsibility of this
whole matter is with the voter and in
a free government, the majority must
rule. But if we can read the meaning
of an election, certainly yesterdays re-
suit has demonstrated that there is
a wide disapproval in this city of the
monthly fine system as applied to gam
bling and prostitution, and we COM
mend this whole subject to the most
careful consideration of Mayor Pick
Ter, who, with the cooperation of the
new city council, can quickly clean up
this municipality, so that those fea-
lures of the situation that have called
forth the most emphatic criticism, will
be eliminated in the future.
The election of a republican ma
jority to the council is matter of
great Importance to the financial well
fare of this city. 1t means that the
people demand that economy shall be
exercised. and that every feature of
the city's business shall be handled
upon careful and exact business meth
DDS; that expenditures shall be CON
fined within the revenues; that com
prehensive system of public improve
ments shall be inaugurated and that
the city Indebtedness should be re-
duced to the legal limit.
The closest contest of the election
was between Alderman Hoglund,
democratic candidate for alderman-at-
large, who has been so prominently
identified with the waterworks ques-
ton and especially with the municipal
ownership feature of it, and Geo.
Withall, republican nominee for alder
man at large. Mr.. Hoglunds possible
defeat may or may not have bearing
upon the waterworks proposition, but
it is probable that the closeness of
the result comes from the fact that
two strong men were pitted against
each other.
The republican aldermen elected are
splendid specimens of progressive and
reliable business men. They will give
to this city such representation in the
council as has not been enjoyed for
many years. A glance at these names
is all that is necessary to confirm the
opinion already expressed that yes
terdays election was glorious repub-
lican victory.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
WILL CREATE DISCUSSION.

Waterloo Reporter: The speech will
be productive Of exhaustive discussion.
The old school followers will combat
it as dangerous doctrine, while those
who have accepted the views as the
logical and legitimate Office of the pol
icy of protection will be as fervent and
fearless in new espousal of the prin-
ciples. The speech will be subject
of debate till the state convention, and
out of the discussion will come decla-
ration by Iowa republicans that will be
keynote Of the national campaign of
1904.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-04-02
Term Too Iona.

The Clinton Age does not believe in
a ten month school year. 1t says:
There are now, in our opinion, too
many school days in the year and alto
gether too much crowding of pupils
and teachers. School days should be
reduced in number and so should
school hours. There ought to be a
law limiting the hours a teacher should
stay in the school and prohibiting a
teacher from keeping a pupil in the
school room after the school is dis
missed. One out, all out"