davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
A NAPOLEON STAMP.

The issue of souvenir stamps in con-
nectlon with the Louisiana Purchase
exposition is now under consideration.
1t Is now the purpose to issue 1, 2, 5
and 10 cent stamps OF this character.
Jefferson will be on one of the series.
1t is probable that portrait of Nc
kinley will be on another and there
is some talk that Livingston, minister
to Paris at the time the transfer of
the territory was made, will appear
on third. Just who will be decided
upon to adorn the fourth series is, as
yet, matter of uncertainty.
1t has been suggested that for this
the likeness of Napoleon might very
appropriately be used Considerable
few Americans who opposed the cree
ton of that notable Frenchman's
statue upon the exposition grounds. 1t
is well for Americans to honor those
men who were instrumental in making
this transfer, among whom were JEFF
ferson, Marbois, Madison, Livingston
and Monroe. Whatever may be said
CT these men it is recognized that
Bonaparte's influence in the deal was
of prime Importance. He was the man
who proposed it. AS the head of the
French nation his consent was abso-
lutely necessary. This was given be-
fore it was asked. History says that
American principals to the purchase
would have been content with the ac-
QUESTION of the New Orleans district,
but Napoleon thrust the whole terri
tory upon them.
The value of that acquisition to the
United States could not at that time
be measured. This transfer, however,
has proven one of the most important
in the history of nations and has been
a vital force in placing the American
republic in the forefront Of world ma
lions. Little discussion should be in
dulged in as to the propriety Of deco
rating a series of the Louisiana pur-
chase exposition stamps with like
ness of the great Frerchman. Let the
discussion be concerning some other
parsonage but let us have a Napoleon
on one Of the stamp series.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Is Troubled,

The Davenport Democrat notes that
the Iowa commission, in considering
the matter of celebrating Iowa day at
the st. Louis exposition next year, is
in doubt as to what event in the his
tory of the state should be commem-
GRATED. The history of Iowa has been
SO free from notable happenings, the
Democrat points out, that it is difficult
to make choice. Most of the days
and years of Iowa." continues the Da-
venport paper, "have been spent in
growing corn and ripening hogs and
getting these products to market 1t
has been an important work and has
added to the material prosperity of
the state, has strewn comfort broad
cast, and paved the way for culture
and the perfecting of the humanities,
but there is little therein to hang an
epic or commemoration ode upon"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
SEES MURDER IN LYNcHlNe.

In view of all that has been written
or spoken recently concerning the ne
gro lynching scourge, which has swept
over this country, the words of Justice
Brewer should be of special interest. In
the discussions pertaining to this ques-
ton there has been more or less senti-
ment and prejudice evidenced. Coming
from this eminent jurist, Judge Brew
er's opinion may be regarded as pure
ly legal and as such his words are full
of meaning.
Every man who takes part in the
burning or lynching OF negro" says
the justice, SIS murderer and should
be considered SO in the eyes of the law.
Any man who kills his fellow man
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
THE VALUE. OF I IOWA LANDS.

Des Moines Register and Leader:
The county auditors and other officials
who appeared before the executive
council yesterday put up poor mouth
when they came to discuss the value
of Iowa lands A casual listener
might have been excused If he had con-
cluded that the state is about equally
divided between barren knobs and
very wet low places. 1t is fortunate
that William e. Curtis did not remain
in Des Moines for this meeting.
Judge Cooke, who appeared in the
dual role of railway attorney and farm
er, explained the meaning of this
showing. Public sentiment is opposed
to high property assessment, be-
cause of a feeling that the various tax
leyies will not be reduced any and the
result will be a very material increase
in the burden of taxation. The state
treasury is overfiowing, the county
treasures are full, the money is not
needed and the people, this year of all
others, do not wish to pay it, But the
law is mandatory, and the only way to
evade it is to talk down the value of
Iowa lands
This presents very interesting
problem to the executive coundl.
The law under which it is acting pro-
vides:
st shall adjust the valuation of prop
erty of the several counties, adding to
or deducting from the valuation of
each kind or class of property, such
percentage in each case as will bring
the same to its taxable value as fixed
in this chapter"
The taxable value las fixed in this
chapter is 'its actual value" and
property shall be assessed at 25 per
cent of such actual value.'
There is nowhere apparently any
discretion lodged, with the executive
council. Its duty is not merely to
egualize the work of the county as
SCISSORS, but, acting on its own motion,
to determine what the actual value Of
the property of the state is, and bring
each county up or down to it as the
case may be. The council can, of
course, say that Iowa land is actually
worth only $50 an acre, as it was as
sessed before, or SAP, as it is assessed
now, but the reputation of its mem
bers for sound judgment is at stake,
and they cannot be expected to certify
to a valuation for the state. that is
clearly and conspicuously inadequate,
which would be plain evasion of the
law of the state and of their sworn
duty as officials.
1t is certain that the executive coun-
ell will be conservative in what it
does. 1t is made up of business men,
who know Iowa and Iowa values. 1t
will not be carried away by the some
times inflated views of the real estate
boomers. But on the other hand, it
cannot be expected to take an alto
gether hopeless view of the values of
Iowa farm property, and 1t certainly
cannot be expected to finch from its
sworn duty under the law. -
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
BRYAN AND THE DEMOCRATIC
MUDDLE.

w. ]. Bryan is out of sorts with the
Iowa democrats, at least that part of
that persuasion that controlled the
Des Moines convention. In recent
issue of his Commoner he makes it
plain that he does not like the plat
form because, by its silence it repudi-
ates the national Kansas City declara-
ton. 1t is silent on that great and
glorious" issue of free silver. Notwith-
standing the fact that his pet theory
has Teen thus ruthlessly forsaken Mr..
Bryan advises the democrats of Iowa
to stand by the candidate named and
vote for Jerry Sullivan and his asso-
ciates. After scoring various delega-
lions for Gas he says deserving the
one important doctrine of democracy,
he makes bold to advise his followers
to continue to fight for the Kansas
City platform" and that the real con-
test will come next year, when the ma
tional delegates are chosen"
Mr.. Bryan is undoubtedly right in
his belief that next year comes the rub,
that the fight this year was but a test
of strength for the battle royal that is
yet to come. The reorganizers of Iowa
have gained confidence through their
victory in repudiating free silver. 1t
may be expected that their strength
will be augmented by others favoring
the old time democratic doctrines, who
have heretofore been hesitating. Mr..
Bryan and his followers will unques--
tionably make the fight of their lives
and if beaten must make their exit as
factor in national politics. His de-
feat in Iowa has not discouraged the
Nebraskan and his attempt to beat the
other fellows may be expected to meet
with success in some states.
Mr.. Bryan sees some reason for en-
couragement in the fact that consid-
cradle number of democrats in the far
west accept his fad as the guiding star
of democracy. While it is believed
that he does not want the nomination
himself he will attempt to carry it for
one of his cult. If, however, as seems
most probable, one of the Cleveland
section of the party is named for the
Office Bryan will make his disapproval
known in most emphatic manner 1t
is not improbable that there will be a
bolt in the democratic ranks as in
1896, such as Mr.. Bryan's nomination
caused, but the Bryanites will this
time be the boilers. The outcome of
the national democratic muddle will
be watched with considerable interest,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Takes Issue With BRYAN.

The Dubuque Telegraph, dem,
does not agree with Mr.. Bryan when
he asserts that reaffirmation in the
Iowa democratic convention was de-
feated through corporation influence
"The corporations" says the Tele-
graph, "had little or nothing to do
with the action of the convention.
Practical politics was the considera
ton" Neither does the Telegraph
share Mr.. Bryan's conclusion that the
reaffirmationists were defeated by I'M
scrupuIous methods. "They were whip
ped in a fair political fight, as the fair
ness of political contests goes" it
says.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
A Little TaHx.

The new owner of the Washington
Press permits Mr.. Burrell to reprint a
lot Of the press notices given him up
on his retirement and in justifying
his action Burrell says: II have been
paying compliments, and all deserved,
too. for near forty years, and it's a
pity if | may not tuck a bit of taffy in
my own cheek lining when have step
ped down and out. l shall never come
nearer to reading my own obituaries in
the flesh than in these inscriptions on
the little headstones the generous boys
round in Iowa have set UP to my mem.
ory."
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
THE Immigration LAW.

The immense influx of foreigners to
the United States has aroused a keen
interest in the question of immigration
1t has brought large portion of Amer
lean citizens, who heretofore have TAX
en- little interest in the matter, to a
realization OF the necessity for more
stringent laws for the exclusion of that
undesirable portion of European popu-
lation that yearly seeks entrance to
our shores. Were the majority of these
immigrants from Germany, Great Brit
ain, Ireland, Norway or Sweden, they
would be regarded as desirable addi-
ton to our population. Coming as
they do from Italy. Russia and Hun
gary, there is great cause for appre-
hension as to the effect of their admis-
sion on the future citizenship of our
country.
Our immigration laws are now far
from severe, but the additions made to
them by the last congress are import
ant and will doubtless have good eff
fetc in excluding some of the most OBJ
jectionable types When the new law
was being considered there was an at
tempt made to fix the immigration tax
at 50 per head, but it was finally COM
promised at 50, this being double the
former tax. In addition to the immi
grants excluded under previous laws,
the following types are not permitted
to land:
Persons who have been insane with
in FIVE years previous to landing; those
who have been insane two or more
times; epileptics, beggars, anarchists
rr,1,l
of government and the assassination of
government officials.
Persons who become public charges
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
On Apples.

The Cedar Rapids Republican notes
the discovery by Polk county farm
er of a sure way to keep apples from
one season to the next without loss of
favor or flavor, but it loses it's enthusi-
asm when it learns that the apple so
preserved was Ben Davis. "The Ben
Davis is not an apple save in appear
ance," says the Republican. at ought
to possess the vitality of evil, and it
does. To keep Ben Davis is no trick
What the apple lover wants is some
thing that will blot that base deceiver
from the face of the earth.''
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
The Reason for II.

The Marshalltown Times-Republican
is accused of withholding publication
of Mr.. Cousins convention speech I'M
til several days after the convention.
The truth is it says, 1.-THE Times.
Republican was not favored with an
advance copy. We realize the truth
OF Joe McCullagh's idea of journalism
when he said that the qualifications Of
good editor are the faculty OF know
ing where hell is going TO break loose
next and have a man on the ground
In this instance we had the man on the
ground, but we We're unprepared for
what broke loose and got 'scooped..'"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
NOT THE SAME.

Coin shoppin', pears to me,
Isn't what 1t used to be,
Used to drive up to the store,
Leave the team out by the door
Trade our truck for calico,
Tea an sech; and off we'd go.
Nowadays ye're at loss
10 pick out the real boss.
They don't stop to tell you jokes
Never saw sech dressed up folks.
An the goods that they display y
Fairly takes your breath away.
Everything's trimmed up so grand
Looks to me like fairyland
An the goods you kin procure
Garden tools and .-.ratoor.
Furniture with spindle legs,
Turkish rugs an fresh laid eggs.
Everywhere Won cast your eye
There is things you'd like to buy.
All tired ont when night arrives,
Couldn't stop TO save orr lives.
With the mornin's earliest ray
All on hand for bargain day.
Coin shoppln'! Gracious me!
'Tisn't what 1t used to be.
Washington Star
y
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
At Fairview.

Editor Rinehart of the Newton Her
aid. after being Mr. Bryan's guest at
Fairview, says he has no desire for the
fame that is Mr.. Bryan's because the
penalty is too great. His home" Mr..
Rinehart explains, SIS a mecca of pill
grimage, and there is no such thing as
privacy or seclusion anywhere. The
average visitor SO reveres the man
and all that is connected with him that
nothing con be concealed from prying
eyes. His time is so given to public
duties that he cannot visit with his
family except at rare intervals and
then with. no certainty of security"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
ed = such immunity as vaccination
gives against smallpox.

gives against smallpox.
This foreshadowed victory over con.
sumption promises to be as brilliant
and benef1cent as that achieved by
Jenner over the smallpox. 1t will be
hailed with delight by the thousands
OF people to whom the white plague
has always been menace. Dread of
this disease will be dispelled and all
humanity will heave a sigh of relief.
Prof. Maragliano's experiments of the
past eight years has confirmed the
statement that he has been able to eff
feet cures by means of the injection of
the serum of immune animals, leaving
no room for doubt as to the genuine
ness of his clinical work 1t is to be
hoped that Professor Maragliano and
his co-workers may be permitted to
witness some of the benefcent effects
OF their gift to the human race.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Pennant Winners,

George Perkins believes that the
Iowa republicans have been playing
good ball, and it is to be noticed that
the effort to have Pitcher Cummins
sent to the bench was not successful, y
says the Cedar Rapids Gazette Con
gresham, Cousins is also to be COM
plimented for making home run hit
near the foul line after the game was
over. 1t is altogether a strong team,
and looks like the pennant winner"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Land Valuation.

The Council Bluffs Nonpareil ex-
plains that the reason the increased
real estate assessment of this year
looks SO formidable is merely because
the assessors have done at one time
what they should have done by de-
grees. "The average actual valuation
for this year is not unreasonable" the
Nonpareil asserts. '.For all Iowa
lands it stands at SAP, which is con-
siderably below the right valuation,
as every farmer in Iowa knows, and
not above it,"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Mad With BurreII.

The Washington Democrat reports
that a good many Washington people
are actually mad at Burrell for selling
his Washington Press. "They say"
the Democrat states, What business
has he got out of the harness when
the Press has been our constant week.
ly visitor for SO long?"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
A TEMPORARY Solution.

''The sun and the wind are now solv-
ing the good roads problem Of Iowa."
says the Guthrie City Guthrian. This
important question will remain in
allegiance until next winter, when there
will be more "'talkee."
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Two Column Leak.

The Council Bluffs Nonpareil OBJ
serves that it leaked out from the Com
moner office that Mr.. Bryan wasn't
satisfied with either the Iowa demo-
cratic or republican platforms. and
the leak wasn't stopped up until two
columns or more of "stuff' had run in
to the columns of the Commoner.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Why. Look to the East2

Why look to the east exclusively? ?"
asks the Davenport Democrat. consid.
ering. the democratic presidential ma
terial. The Democrat thinks the mid
die west has strong claims to attention,
and 1t suggests ex-senator Villas of
Wisconsin, and Ex-Governor Francis OF
Missouri, as men of presidential size.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
straidht RepubIicanism.

The Vinton Eagle can see nothing
about Mr.. Cousins speech that should
attract any more than usual attention
In the Eagles opinion it is merely
plain, straight republicanism-jus
what Mr.. Cousins district wants.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
The Biq Question.

"The greatest question of the day is
not the presidential one" says the
Davenport Democrat. 1T is what the
product will be of that 9O,O0O,OOO
acres of corn
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
May Become PIutocrats.

Des Moines Capital: BY the time
the Kansas harvest is ended, those
eastern harvest hands are liable to
have become plutocrats and to decide
not to go back to college.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
How Thoughtful.

The Davenport Republican comedies
that Congressman Wade is entitled to
a denomination from his party. but it
asserts that the second district repub-
licans will arrange things so the judge
will be able to rem ain at home.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
The "square.Toedp Opinion.

The Dubuque Times agrees with the
Vinton Eagle that people do not always
like man who has courage to express
his convictions. "The man who ex-
presses square-toed opinion on con-
troverted question:" says the Times,
sis usually considered narrow or sup
CRITICAL by those who hold the oppo-
site view"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Lesson for Democrats.

The Muscatine Journal suggests that
the democratic party might learn a
valuable lesson from the conclave plan
of the Catholic church. "Why not"
it says, ''lock Cardinals Bryan, Cleve-
land, Parker, German, Hill, Harrison
and few others in a walled room and
promise not to release them until they
had agreed upon man and measures?"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
The Pity.

1T is really pity" says the Cedar
Rapids Gazettet, that by common con-
sent mothers stop spanking their girls
just when the said girls need this form
of education most"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Free Speech Welcome.

The Harlan Republican says the con-
vention was reasonably harmonious,
adding: True, few of the boys ex-
pressed themselves freely. That was
right. Free speech in a republican con-
vention is always welcomed, and al
ways tolerated."
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Truth Sometimes Hurts.

what hurts our revision friends so
much, and this is the sole reason for
their criticism of Mr.. Cousins" says
the Marion Register, sis the fact that
what he said is true and unanswera-
ble."
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
May Be Heard in Iowa.

The Creston American announces
that Mr.. Bryan will come into Iowa
and make some speeches for Jerry Sui
livan in the fall
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
IOWA PRESS COMMENT.
Concentrations for nsob.u

The Webster City Journal thinks
Bob" Cousins is to be congratulated
because of the enemies he has made.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Let's Talk of the Weather.

"a number of newspaper men,"
notes the Boone Republican, fare now
giving their readers inside history
about who wrote the platform. Who
cares, now that it is written? Let's
talk about the weather.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Might Not Evade 1t.

The Dubuque Times observes that
Governor Cummins does not say he
would try to get out of the way if the
vice presidential bee should happen
along.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
PASSING Of the Fourth Term.

The Keosauqua Republican believes
the defeat Of Mr.. Barrett marks the
passing of the fourth term in state pol
itics.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Question of up.to.pateness.

"Of course the Iowa democrats said
something against Imperialism, says
the Davenport Republican. "That
shows how up-to-date they are"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Likened to the Arkansan.

The Council Bluffs Nonpareil says
the people of Iowa are much like the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21

honesty should be the tests for public
service;not the number of years one
has or has not served the people.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21

famous Arkansan: When it rains we
can't fix the road, and when it's dry we
don't need it.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-21
Tests for Public Service.

The Webster City Freeman Tribune
is still Of the opinion that capacity and