davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
sHAw,s NEW YORK SPEECH.

New York Evening Post: Political
economy would never have been called
"the dismal science" had Secretary
Shaw been the only economist. In his
address last night Mr.. Shaw gave the
full blooded old arguments for protec-
ton with an enthusiasm and convic-
ton now rare. He reprehended
"schoolmasters' and free traders for
their habit of thinking of the human
race as unit" Statesmen, on the
contrary must think of the United
States as a unit" and presumably as
something quite distinct from the hui
man race. On the subject of tariff re-
vision, Secretary Shaw was equally
lucid. He admitted imperfection in
the present schedules, but denied that
such imperfection called for correc--
ton. Some one, some industry, some
interest, ought to show an actual
hardship, before present conditions
are disturbed" A little later Secre--
tary Shaw proved that such hard
shrip" could arise only through tin
kering the tariff, and said very pru--
IDENTIFY, in the light of previous revis-
ions of the tariff by it's friends, that
in case of further meddling by the re-
publicans mo one dare insure against
the tariff schedules being made
worse" These were words of wis
dom. Meanwhile he eXhorted his au-
dience 10 rejoice in their increasing
'consumptive power" by which he
meant their ability to pay high prices
for American made goods. No one
who has recently scrutinized his coal
dealers and butchers accounts quite
wishes congratulation upon the en-.
HANGING of his 'consumptive capacity
But apparently the West Side repub-
licans to whom Secretary Shaw spoke
are given rather to sentiment than to
mathematics; for they were equally
edited by his congratulations, and by
his anti-revisionist @. E. d.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
THE PASSING OF THE SWORD

New York World: "Take away
the sword" wrote Bulwer Lytton
States can be saved without it,"
Col. Wagner of the United States ar
my, echoes the words, but not the
sentiment. Lytton was for abstract
peace. Wagner thinks of the peace
one fights for.
The sword has been the center of
long-living legendry-as in the tradi-
tions of Arthur and Sir Galahad and
the drawing from rock-sheaths of the
blades that marked one coming king
and the other modest knight in all
the world" But Colonel Wagner
never minds this. The sword, he de-
clares, is merely an antiquated nui-
sance"-chivalry save the mark!
He is willing to leave the weapon as
a picturesque adjunct to secret soci-
ETY. equipment, comparatively
harmless tool for German student
duelists and a darling accessory to
dramatic starring. But for practical
modern war, no more of it!
The colonePs point seems to be
that smokeless powder and invisible
uniforms are of no avail if swords
flashing in the air are to be endured
as telltales to the enemy. This is in
logical accord with progress from
the spectacular to the businesslike in
war. 1t is probably necessary and
well that the last flicker of the pictur-
esque in soldering shall be caught
from the bright vanishing blade.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
PROPOSED PENSION FOR Elk
SLAVES.

Senator Hanna, at the request of a
miners association in Pennsylvania,
introduced bill to pension eX-slaves
and at a regular meeting of R. e. Lee
camp, confederate Veterans, at Fort
Worth, Texas, the proposed measure
was indorsed by an almost unanimous
vote. There was, of course, a string
to the resolution of endorsement.
The Texas representatives in con-
gress were asked to support the mea-
sure to the extent of rewarding all eX
slaves who remained at home, within
the ages set forth in the bill, or those
who went with their masters in the
civil war, but that those be excepted
who were enlisted in the United
States volunteer service and are al
ready on the pension list.
The whole proposition is too absurd
for serious discussion. Pensions
should be limited exclusively to those
who deserve them because of military
and naval service A civil pension
list should never be started in this
country for any purpose whatever.
We do not even favor granting pen
sions, as is now the practice, to the
widows of ex-Presidents of the United
States. Probably this is a proper ex--
ception, but certainly the practice
should never extend to other civil Off
Gals of the government. The great
ship of state should steer far away
from the pension reef, or great dis
tress will follow. No pensions except
for military and naval service.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12

compliment, instead of an effort to in
volve this government in responsible
ties in this Venezuelan imbroglio, and
to such an extent that the Monroe doc
trine would have been lost sight of.
The President has had notice served
on the allies as to his decision and the
whole matter must go to The Hague,
for arbitration. The present situation
which seems now more favorable for
Venezuela, is regarded as having been
brought about chiefly by Minister Bow
en-, the United States ambassador, who
represents Venezuela.
The Washington administration has
wisely conducted it's diplomacy in the
interest not only of peace but of a
struggling republic.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
WATER TO BURN.

The fuel problem will be solved
some day not far in the future by the
discovery of new substances or
through new methods of application
and this will bring about, it is hoped,
a condition when there can be nc
ruinous scarcity of fuel at any time.
On this line of investigation, John
A. Montgomery of Williamsport, New
York announces that he has discover
ed process for burning water. This
may seem absurd, but the report fol-
lows:
in 1868, we are told, while study
ing chemistry, he learned that per-
feet heat is derived from the combus.
ton of one part of oxygen and two
parts of hydrogen Then he recalled
that water is composed principally of
those two elements in the above pro-
portion. Why, then, should water
not be made to burn? he asked him.
self. Ever since he has been trying
to construct a simple and practical
apparatus that would condense the
latent heat contained in water and
make it preceptible, and now he says
he has succeeded. While flowing
through a pipe that serves as a feed
err, the water becomes separated and
condensed into gases, which, coming
together at a right angle, form COM
bustion which is continuous and un--
varying"
A friend of the inventor describes
the contrivance as follows:
In the roam was single heating
stove. There was no fire in it, but
instead metal tube curled out from
under the CRATE and protruded as high
as the stove, terminating in funnel.
Drawing a pailful of water from the
kitchen hydrant, the inventor began
to pour it by the dipperful into the
funnel A white blaze shot up from
the CRATE, producing intense heat.
The water burned perfectly"
Mr.. Montgomery adds: "This is
what may be done in any stove, when
my invention is patented"
1t will be of interest to all to OBJ.
serve that the proposition to make
gas from water was extensively talk.
ed ABOUT as long as forty years ago,
The inventor explained his theories
in the newspapers, but refused to di-
yulge any part of the methods he
used in producing such wonderful
results. 1t was published widely that
gas was thus produced but there was
all the time some hitch in the steady
manufacture and finally the inventor
died.
1t is probable there may be nothing
in this later plan to produce heat
but it gives evidence that the search
for cheaper fuel is to be maintained
Such discovery would not be nearly
SO wonderful as some that have pre-
coded it.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
WHAT PROMINENT MEN SAY.

President Poosevelt's note to Ger
many regarding the Venezuelan af-
fair: The President appreciates to
an extraordinary degree the honor
that the powers have done him in ask
ing him to act as arbitrator in settling
their present difficulty with Venezue-
la. He would have been happy to
meet the wishes of the powers and
exert his best efforts for attaining so
desirable a conclusion but for the fact
that another and better way presents
itself for settling this difficulty. The
President has been of the opinion al
ways that the whole controversy
should be referred to the high court
of arbitration at The Hague, since
this court was created by the most i'm
portant powers of the world to settle
questions of national honor or cession
of territory.
Governor Odell, of New York re-
garding Erie canal legislation: There
is no reason why the legislature, even
if it sits into the summer, cannot
evolve canal improvement bill which
shall be thoroughly businesslike, for
the very best commercial interests of
the state, and which will put the ca
nails in directand vigorous competition
with the railroads. | would suggest
to you gentlemen, that every means
be taken by you to obtain the best
sentiment as to canal route and the
amount of money to be expended for
making a barge canal. No locality
should dominate the decision, and no
interest or set of interests should
control the legislatures judgment If
it absolutely a business proposition,
and the legislature should look upon
it from that standpoint. Taking that
view of it, am positive that you can
at this session present to me bill
that l will not only willingly but
cheerfully sign.
Senator Hanna: ! have no desire
or inclination to interfere with local
matters in the state of Delaware, and
| yet | feel it the duty of my position
to appeal to the republicans in the
| legislature to refrain from voting for
a democrat for United States senator.
Certainly the party is entitled to the
fruits of his victory.
| Bishop Potter: You can't buy any,
thing on a bargain counter without
finding in it, if your eyes are sharp
enough stain of blood. We can not
wear anything in reality that is cheap.
Go into our hospitals and see the
young girls in them. Their physical
condition in many instances is the re-
suit of their struggle for bread, forced
upon them by the modern passion for
cheapness. When you are paying for
these hospitals, if you do your book
keeping with common honesty, you
will charge the expense back largely
to this passion for economy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
INTERVIEWS AT LONG RANGE.

Senator Hoar: am opposed to the
government ownership of great labor
employing industries. / am opposed
to the government ownership of coal
mines or of railroads. | do not see
why, if the government is to prevent
a famine Or scarcity of fuel by owner
ship, it should not own the sources of
food supply, that it might prevent
scarcity of food, or the wooden or cot
ton factories, that it might prevent
scarcity of clothing. II the govern
ment is to be the great employer, the
wages of labor must be fixed by law.
Wages cannot be fixed by law, except
on scale which shall apply equally
to every workman. The energetic and
the slothful and the intelligent and the
dull; the man of enterprise and Of
inventive genius and the man whose
fingers are all thumbs must stand on
the same dead level. Besides, If
wages are to be fixed by the law-mak-
ing power, then the question of wages
becomes a question of politics.
The two parties must compete with
one another by outbidding each other
for the votes, and paying for the votes
in increased wages. No government
but despotism can control and sup
ply the great necessities of life. What
is called socialism, Mr.. President, will
never cure OR prevent the evil | have
described. That. also, will be destruc-
tive of the great principle of emulation
and individual excellence. 1t will be
quite as bad, in my judgment, as the
power of great corporations. The lat
| ter can be curbed, and it will in some
| No u,ha
dangerous But q general reduction OF
mankind to a dead level such as must
| happen when the state manages and
owns the great industries and wages
are fixed by vote at the elections
would, if it were possible to succeed
be destructive of everything that
makes life worth living or mankind
worth respecting. But there is no per
manent danger, l think, from social
/ ism. The socialist, whether he be 6
dreamer in some college hall or some
idle and restless agitator. fails to take
/ into account one important and essen
| tial thing in making his calculations
that is, human nature. Socialism may
do for China, or for Turkey, but it viii
never be Yankee remedy. do no
think the remedy of the socialist will
help us. l have no belief in the gov
eminent ownership of lands, or o
wheat fields, or of factories, save as /;
last and desperate resort. to which
am sure the American people neve
need to come.
If the government is to own thu
coal it must by the same reasoning
when the times are hard, take posses
sion OF the manufactures of shoes, 0
wooden cloth, and of cotton; and on tn
same principle it must take possession
of other manufacture and trade o.
which men are depending for any lie
cessity of life. The men who ask 70
wages will have the same desire an
the same right to an increase of thei
wages and to better their condition
But then the difficulty will be that il
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
ANGLo-GERMAN ALLIANCE.

The news that the Venezuelan diff
ferences are to be submitted to the
Hague court comes as confirmation
to the belief that has been growing
that the alliance of Germany and Eng
land has been nearing an end. Since
the publication of the views of the kai-
ser's representative in London few
days ago with regard to the opinion
of the English public this belief has
steadily grown. In the dispatch of
Count Wolff Metternich he claims the
British government ''is conscious of
lack of popular support in its associa-
ton with Germany, especially of the
disapproval of the middle classes"
1t has been the belief of the people
of the United States for some time
that the English cabinet was in such
dilemma over the entire affair that
it was willing to accept almost any
kind of settlement to free it from
the distasteful connection with the
continental power.
Concerning this declaration of the
German ambassador at London, the
St Louis Globe-Democrat says:
This is significant language. 1t is
a confession on the part of the kai-
ser's representative in London that
the alliance with Germany is opposed
by the people of England, and that
if it lasts until Chamberlain return
from his pilgrimage in England's new
coionies in Africa, he, Chamberlain,
will voice the popular dissent from the
Balfour ministry's position.That means
that Chamberlain will go to the head
of the cabinet. Chamberlain, SO the
German minister in London virtually
comedies, is against the German
league, and will express his country's
hostility to it when, month or two
hence, he returns to England. The
leading newspapers of England's chief
cities have been loud in their denun-
citation of the league from the begin
ming"
And now comes the announcement
that the entire affair is to be submit
ted to the Hague court. This will at
once separate the claims of the allied
powers and will mark the termination
of the alliance. 1t is recognized that
the alliance has cost the English peo-
pie much discomfort and humiliation.
1t has placed England in false light,
with regard to its relations to America,
and it cannot be doubted that the final
disruption of the combination of pow
ers will be received with delight by
the people of the island empire.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
THE COAL SUPPLY.

A century from now the hard coal
question will cease to be a burning
question, for if the estimates of the
engineers who are familiar with the
geological situation are correct, there
will be no Pennsylvania hard coal to
burn. In a recent work upon the an
thracite industry by DR.. Peter Roberts,
the writer cites the estimates of three
of the most eminent experts. The low
est estimates on tons yet to be mined
is 4,S32 $685. 66S, the highest, 6,512 ,167-
703; the lowest estimate of years dur
alton S0.54; the highest, 10S53. These
estimates are made upon the assump-
ton that production and consumption
do not exceed 60,000,000 tons annually,
but as the prospects are that before
long that limit will be far exceeded it
is clear that in less than a century
there will be no more hard coal to
quarrel over unless large deposits are
found outside of Pennsylvania, of which
at present there are no indications, eX-
cept in Colorado.
There are those now living, who may
see the last lump of anthracite produc-
ed in Pennsylvania. People then will
be reduced to bituminous coal, and
must discover new ways of using it in
the interests Of cooking, cleanliness
and health There is vast supply of
soft coal, but it is not illimitable. Some
day, perhaps centuries hence, it must
be exhausted. Then nature will step
in. Nature is always ready for con.
tingencies, and supplemented by mans
Ingenuity and skill, life probably will
no as aasy without coal and wood as IL
is with them and certainly cleaner
and healthier "Star eyed science
will not watt us home the message OF
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12

this clatter and roar-which, the
Hawll-Eye confesses, makes it weary
comes, it asserts, from that sec
ton of the Iowa press dominated by
a faction which tends democracy
ward and it predicts that when the
din has ceased and the smoke OF bat
tie has lifted, land when the true blue
section of this discordant press re-
turn to their own, as they surely will
in time, they will find themselves lin
ed UP again with Lafayette Young,
proud to be companion at arms with
so sturdy and faithful a party wars
man"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12

every election the question of wages
and of hours and of convenient posi-
tons will become political questions
and the men who aspire to political
power will seek to win the support of
the wage Garner on the issue of fixing
their wages. Under government con-
troll no distinction could be made be-
tween skill and enterprise and intelli-
gence and sluggishness or slackness.
Ambition and emulation from which
everything valuable in achievement
comes will be gone. The socialist,
when he proposes his social themes
fails as | just said, to take into ac-
count one essential considerations that
is human nature. The socialists RENE
dy preserves the worst evil of the
abuse of which we complain, and that
is the destruction of individual ambi-
ton and emulation.
Senator George G. Perkins of Cali
fornia, has some unusual ideas regard
ing the election of United States SEN
ators and on account of these he re-
fused to listen to the appeals of his
friends to go to California during the
recent senatorial fight there.
81 regard the members of the legis-
allure" he said, "as the jury of the
people, so far as the election of senat-
ors is concerned. Before the election
of the legislature l made campaign
which extended the length and
breadth of my state. told the people
that was candidate for reelection
and | made my promises to them.
They elected republican legislature
and by so doing made that legislature
their jury. When opposition appeared
to my reelection my friends urged me
to leave Washington and personally
conduct my case before the legisla-
ture, but do not think it is right for
senators to try to influence the action
of legislatures, so remained in Wash
ington. In other words, l refused to
tamper with the jury
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
Not Tariff Expert.

The Audubon Republican comedies
that the ordinary man is not a tariff
expert, but it thinks the general rule
can be safely laid down that we, as
protection republicans, are in favor of
reciprocity with any other nation when
the arrangement will not injure indus
tries in this country and will help us
extend our foreign trade. Any reel
procity established or advocated by
Blaine and Harrison, in the opinion of
the Republican, was not against the
interests of any American industry.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
Quick to Defend.

The Burlington Hawk-Eye hastens
TO the defense of Lafayette Young,
who, it is panied to note, is being
roasted simply because he is a rock
ribbed republican, loyal to the core,
and true as steel to the ideals of his
party" and ridiculed as stand patter
because he is true to the ideals which
have made the republican party the
mighty force that it is today" All
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
Sees No sian of Success.

The Davenport Republican observes
that the democrats are seeing visions
of success in the presidential election
of 1904, but, in its opinion, the unbi-
ased mind fails to discern wherein the
democratic party is any stronger with
the people of the country than it was
a year ago, or two years ago, or in
what way the democrats have any
claim on public confidence.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
Which?

The Clinton Age (dem) considers it
more likely just now that reatfirmation
of the shelter plank will be defeated
in the republican state convention
than that reatfirmation of the Kansas
City platform will carry in the demo
cratic state convention of this year.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12
THE OTTUMWA COURIER.

from a resistance to the English king
and parliament should exercise more
arbitrary power than any Englishman
since Oliver Cromwell, and that many
of his acts should be worthy of a
Tudor But he goes on to point out
that the source of Lincoln's power was
in the fact that the people were be-
hind him. He could force congress to
do his bidding because he had the
voters confidence. In violent contrast
to Lincoln's administration was that
of his successor, Andrew Johnson,
who, lacking the support of the peo-.
pie, became, as Rhoades says "a mere
executive clerk of congress"
Mr.. Cleveland showed the power of
the presidential Office in several no.
table ways-in resisting the clamor
for an immediate clean sweep of Of
fees, in sending troops to keep the
peace in Illinois riots, in re-establish-
ing the Monroe doctrine and prevent
ing the country from going to the sill
yer standard. In this last accomplish
ment he was obliged to sacrifice party
to principle. Between his two term S
came Harrison, who allowed the eX-
ecutive to be overshadowed by con-
gress, whose lower house, under
Speaker Reed, developed extraordi--
nary power. Mr.. Mckinley was in
many respects the antithesis of his
predecessor. John Sherman once said
that 'the president should touch ell
bows with congress-" President Nc
Kinley did more than this. He and
congress were constantly going about
arm in arm. What he did was accom-
plished by tact and diplomacy. He
was never masterful with the legisla-
tive branch.
Mr.. Rhoades regards combination
of the Mckinley and Cleveland quail.
tiles such as existed in Lincoln as CIV
ing 1.-The nearest possible approach to
the ideal ruler The president should
deal tactfully with congress and at
the same time impress his policy upon
it. He should lead public sentiment,
but not too fast. He should have the
confidence and support of the people
through his transparent sincerity and
highness OF purpose. ITO crafty the
hopes, secure the reverence and sus.
tain the dignity of the nation" wrote
Justice Story, "the presidential Office
should always be occupied by a man
of elevated talents, of ripe virtues
of incorruptible integrity and of tried
patriotism; one who shall forget his
own interests and remember that he
represents, not a party, but the whole
nation" Lincoln combined these quail
tiles and it is to be noted, as Mr.
Rhoades suggests, that they exist in
| President Roosevelt.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-12

President Roosevelt has again dem
onstrated his ability as statesman
and conservative leader of the public
affairs of the United States: During
all the Venezuelan difficulties he has
with consistency evaded the pitfalls
that have been set for him.