Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-01-27
Iowa's Place at Washington is
Thorn in the Flesh.
FACTIONS ATTACK j. S. GARRISON
Point to Him as Adviser of the Presi-
dent on Southern PoIitics-Rumor
That Henderson Was Very Indirect
ly Connected With Tillman Tragedy
(By H. ]. Mahin.)

Washington, D. c., Jan. 21.-Al-
though Iowa has been considerably
humbled by the events of the recent
election, as far as her high place at
Washington is concerned, she still
yields a powerful influence in govern
ment affairs and there are certain
factions at the capital to whom this
fact seems to be a thorn in the flesh.
These factions have recently been di-
recting their attention against Hon.
James S. Clarkson. The recent agi-
tation of the color question has
brought Mr.. Clarkson into more prom
inemce than usual, as he is considered
the personal adviser of the President
when it comes to the southern Situa-
ton. This is what seems to be the
sore point. Quite recently member
of this faction delivered himself of
views of this sort: 81 do not know
whether or not it is a fact that James
S. Clarkson of Iowa is the Presidents
adviser on the southern question.
This is only rumor. However, it is
certain that he comes to Washington
often and has many conferences with
Mr.. Roosevelt Then it is noticeable,
too, that he seems willing to give his
views to the newspapers at times and
these views usually comprise his opin-
ions on the southern question"
1t is true that Mr.. Clarkson is often
in Washington. AS all Iowa knows,
soon after the sale of the Des Moines
Register, the Clarkson paper, Mr..
Clarkson was appointed to position
in the customs department at New
York. "Surely Mr.. Clarkson does not
come over to talk to the President
about customs" continued the gen.
tleman, 'but there is something abb
surd in the idea of subordinate Off
Ger in the customs department having
the welfare and happiness of a num-
Der of prosperous southern states in
his hands. 1t is amusing to imagine
the political organization of such
states as Alabama or South Carolina
appealing to a subordinate officer of
the New York custom house for guild.
ance. Why, the mere fact that Clark.
son has vocation of this sort, the
mere fact that the Crums, ETC., recog.
ni1e him as a factor in their affairs
shows that the present republican or
ganization in the south is without
character and force-a mere mob of
office seekers, manipulated by bosses
and managers from affair.""
The difficulty is, of course, that
many persons have not yet recognized
the fact that Mr.. Clarkson is another
oele of the brand of Iowa men that
have made themselves felt ere this in
the United States government They
ar beginning to know him in New
York. Senator Dolliver made speech
at big republican meeting there the
other night. In telling about it the
next day, he remarked: why, when ]
mentioned Clarkson that crowd jump
ed up and shouted and cheered as hard
as they did when l mentioned the
name of any nationally prominent
character. Mr.. Clarkson strongly
denounces any attempt to form party
in the south entirely in the hands and
control of the white people. He re-
CARDS it as a reputation of the cardinal
doctrine of human rights. While Mr.
ClaGkson has not ben officially ap.
pointed as the President'e adviser
there is no doubt but that he holds
that honored position and that the
President will get from him some
sound and solid opinions.
The course the President has taker
in the color question is no doubt one
that Mr.. Clarkson advised-that is &
determination to treat the colored mar
fairly in the way of political patron
age. The appointment of a coloret
man as assistant United States attor
ney at Boston shows that the Presi