Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-29

preparing to introduce an amendment
| faVorlng the reopening Of the nego-
tlatlons for the Nicaragua route. This
was not done, however, and now that
the route has been chosen the Colonel
has nothing to say. Another reason
given for the final signing of the Pan
ANA treaty is that the agents of the
Panama canal company, finding that
their cause was about lost, promised
the Columbian government a part of
$40,oO0,O0O which they expect to re-
celve for the canal property. There
mas been some talk of a possible at
| tempt to keep Apostle Reed Smoot Of
Utah, from taking his seat in the SEN
ate. No doubt there will be a great
hue and cry raised when Mr.. Smoot
comes to Washington, but as yet there
is no evidence that he will meet any
effectual opposition. Mr.. Smoot was
Al years old on the tenth of this month.
He is described as tall and well built.
He is energetic in his undertakings
and active in his movements. In
speech he possesses fearless candor;
| he says exactly what he thinks in no
uncertain language. According to a
church biography, Mr.. Shoots first
school room was in the home of
Bishop George Remney, and later in
the schools of Salt Lake City. He was
made a priest at the age of eighteen
and the next year he was ordained an
elder, and ten years later called to the
apostleship of the Mormon church. Al
| though he was not religiously inclined
in his early youth, he is declared to
have become enthusiastic in church
work on becoming priest, and to have
continued that enthusiasm ever since.
| Senator Smoot began life poor, and
worked as laborer. His industry was
rewarded however. and he is now con-
sidered wealthy, being engaged in min
ing, banking, merchandising and sheep
raising. He has travelled in Europe on
missions for the Mormon church, and
taken some interest in politics dur
ing the past, though he never before
| held Office.
Washington, ID. c.. Jan. 27.-Despite
the fact that Senator Dolliver has de-
clared he would not consider the vice
presidential nomination in 1904, there
is no doubt that many leading politi-
clans have him in mind for that posi-
ton and will vigorously support him
| if they get the chance. The Washing
ton Star, which is the most conserva-
tive paper in the capital and in fact
in the country, printed prominent
editorial the other day, painting Mr..
Delivers qualifications for vice pres
idential candidate in bright colors. The
burden Of the argument in Senator
Delivers favor is that as Mr.. Roose-
| welt is an eastern man and the second
place will undoubtedly go to west
erner. Then there is large element
in the west that is in favor of viewing
tariff matters in somewhat less rig
orous light than certain contingent
in the east; Senator Dolliver showed
by his recent reciprocity speech that
1 he could rally this class about him to
man. Furthermore, Senator Dolliver
has proven himself brilliant man,
level headed man and one in whom
the confidence of the voters of the
country would not be misplaced. Also
it is a fact that he is an unsurpassed
orator and as campaigner would be
invaluable in 1904.
This all sounds very we'll and is
founded on facts. However Senator
Dolliver when asked regarding the
matter continues to talk in way so
positive that there seems not to be
one chance out of hundred that he
will ever allow his name to occupy the
second place on the ticket The SEN
ator has said that the place Of vice
president offers no attractions to him
and then the fact is that if he accept
| ed the nomination it would be against
this positive wishes and in the face of
! the impassioned pleadings of some of
his best friends. The latter feel that
accepting the vice presidential nomi-
nation would be in measure side
tracking Senator Dolliver and that
| there is much more brilliant future
before him along the path he is now
travelling. The alleged influence from
Iowa to force Mr.. Dolliver into the
vice presidency so that it may leave
the way clear for Mr.. Cummins to go
to the senate has not yet made its ap-
pearance. Nor is it likely to soon
very strongly, since it is known that
some of those who are also friendly
to Mr. Cummins are at present Mr..
i Delivers strongest advisers against
allowing his name to be used in con
nection with the vice presidency.
l Politicians here consider that the
Philippine currency bill as it passed
the house is practically dead. The sen
ate is not expected to pass it in its
! present shape. Judge Smith and Judge
Thomas of Iowa, by the way, voted
with the democrats on this measure
as did enough other republicans tc
bring about victory for the democrat
ic minority. The bill, as presented to
} the house from the committee on in
sular affairs provided for the establish
} ment of a gold standard in the Phil
, ippines, but also provided for spec
, ial coinage so that the Filipinos would
have their own kinds and grades OF
J money. This bill was vigorously sup
ported by the republican leaders, in
Guiding Hepburn, Hit, Payne, eac. The
) democrats offered substitute also
providing for the gold standard, but
! doing away with the special coinage
} part and providing instead, that the
same kinds and denominations of mon
} ey used in the United States should be
, used in the Philippines. This ides