davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
VEST COMEDIES DEFEAT.

st. Louis Globe-Democrat: The
future of the democratic party" says
Hon. George G. Vest, depends upon
the condition of the country in 1904"
The republicans, according to the
ex-senator, have staked everything
on the maintenance of the tariff, and
eff the present condition of affairs can
be maintained until 1904 the demo-
Gratis cannot win. The republicans
will describe the prosperity which
may then prevail to the Dingley tariff,
and the majority of the voters never
will stop to analyze the truth of the
claim" Disclaiming any knowledge,
tions will get together or not in the
approaching campaign, and also de-
claring that he had no knowledge Of
Bryan's intentions ard no right to
speak for him, he added that Bryan
will certainly appear at the next dem
ocratic national convention, and will
be an aggressive factor in whatever is
done" AS an enthusiastic support
err of Bryan in 1896 and 1900, and as
man who knows as much about dem
ocratic conditions and chances as any
other person on his SIDE, these re-
marks of the veteran Missouri states
man will attract the country's atten--
ton.
General business caiamity is the
only thing that will afford the demo-
Gratis a chance to win, according to
the word of one of the most experi--8
enced and clear-headed of the coun-
try's democrats, and neither that
statesman nor anybody else whose
opinion on the subject is worth any
thing sees calamity in the immediate
future. The bank clearings last week
in the country at large had long
lead over those of the corresponding
week of 1902, the gain being slightly
in excess of IL per cent The bust
mes failures at the same time We're
less than they We're last year at this
time, showing that although trade is
brisker than it was year ago, it is
done under better conditions and the
financial mortality among the trades
is less. The earnings of the railroads
keep above the line for last year at
this date, although twelve months ago
the roadt income was at very high
figures. That the genral opinion leans
toward optimism regarding the busi--
ness conditions is s.sown by many in
dications. One of these is the fact
that the record for prices of seats on
the New York stock exchange has re-
Gently been broken several times,
one seat few days ago selling for
$4,000, and another just afterward at
$4,000, while the highest price ever
previously paid was $4,000.
Mr. Vest makes it plain that he
looks for overwhelming defeat for his
party in 1904. So does every other
sane, balanced democrat in the coun-.
try.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
NO INDICATION OF HARMONY.

Hon. William Jennings Bryan in ad~
dressing the Michigan state democrat
ic judicial convention INDUCED in lit
tie heart to heart talk. For the time
being he seemed to forget his usual
cautious reserve and took occasion TO
free his mind and purge his breast
of the bitter sting of his double defeat
and the ranking of personal animosi-
ty which he feels against one whom
he considers traitor to the party in
general and himself in particular. Bry-
an complains that he is accused OF pre-
venting harmony when in fact no one
wants harmony any more than he. He
does not make plain however, that his
idea of harmony, is that every one
should come around to his way of
thinking. He tacitly admits thai po-
litically he would like to cut Cleye-
lands throat and tries to justify him
self for this bitter feeling by claiming
that the late President Mckinley
thought even more harshly OF the dem
ocratic eX-president than he himself.
He does not declare himself proud,
but states negatively that he is not
ashamed of the part he had in driy-
ing Cleveland out of the democratic
party.
4 So anxious is he in fact, to keep him
out that he declares he would be glad
to help organize party for Cleveland's
own personal use.
The following extracts from his most
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
MAKES GAMBLING A FELONY.

Rochester Democrat and Times:
The legislature of the state of Wash
ington has passed law making gam
bling felony. In the old days when
the great west gambled it gambled
with all its heart and made no conceal
ment of the fact. The west was never
hypocritical. But now that the west
has settled down to a steady life it
puts the brand of felony on the prac.-
tice. At least, this is what the far
west state of Washington has done.
OF course, the enforcement of such
law is going to cause embarrass--
ment, bitterness and shame; but hav-
ing made up their mind that gambling
is demoralizing and evil, the Washing
ton people say the less they have of it
the better, and the way to stop it is
to stamp it out.
This law will bear pretty hard on
many of the adventurers who spend
more or less time at Seattle on their
way to and from the Alaskan gold
fields. There is still considerable
body of these wayfarers who take
more delight in g. bling than they do
in prospecting for gold in the regular
way. To arrest them and not simply
fine them for a misdemeanor, but send
them to prison at hard labor as fell
ons, because they have chosen to in
dulge in pastime which they regard
as natural as laughter or song, will
make them think the world is on the
wrong track and going to the dogs.
That the new law will be violated
and evaded in Washington may be
taken for, granted; but the brand of
felony stamped by it on the practice
of gambling will unquestionably do
much toward suppressing it in respect
able circles of society. Those little
society clubs which have been wont
to play for small stakes so as to make
game interesting will think twice
before openly defying and breaking a
law which might send their members
to the penitentiary.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
MUST BE CAUTIOUS.

There is much needless discussion
of tariff revision going on in the Iowa
press since new life was given to the
so-called Iowa idea" by our distin--
guished governor. 1t Is true great
many men have no settled convictions
on the tariff and do not study it with
view of getting at the real facts.
Others believe that where protection
increases the price of an article to the
consumer the duty ought to be re-
moved. This is the idea of our demo-
cratic brethren, and when they had
the power during Mr.. Cleveland's last
administration they put their idea into
effect and nearly bankrupted the
country.
1t is matter of history that this
nation never prospered under free
trade. When the duty was taken from
articles and the bars laid down to
foreign exports who could flood our
markets with articles created by
cheap labor our wage earners suf-
fered, and when labor suffers the
country shares the same fate. The real
question is what articles can be safe
ly paced on the free list without I'M
dermining the whole structure of pro.
lection. Still another question enters
into the discussion of this subject, and
that is what good it would do the peo-
pie as whole to disfigure our present
tariff law while present conditions are
SO healthy and prosperous. The re-
moval OF the small duty on anthracite
coal did not do. the good the tariff re-
visionists claimed it would do; in fact
it is question whether it did any
good at all. The same would be the
result in many other cases, while it
would hurt labor and give prosperity
q setback.
1t is always best to be cautious when
handling economics. The democrats
want TO see the tariff law amended
along free trade lines and are always
ready to attack it. We do not believe
the Iowa republicans, as the friends of
progress and labor, would consent to
changing single schedule in the
Dingley law if they thought it would
injure that great enactment Therein
lies the danger of touching it at this
time. The next republican state con-
vention must act with caution when it
builds it's platform.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17

social gathering, the rusty nail on the
chair, the unheeded scratch, and the
inevitable. The regiment punching
daylight through it's foe with the un
erring Krag was not to be compared
with the piece of rusty iron. People
held their breath looking at the
death bearing automobiles, and then
gasped again at beholding this new
terror. And now the PIN the silent
piece of rusty iron, the malicious nail
have each and all of them gone the
way of tyrants. May they rest in
peace. But, harkee, no cheers. We
still are servants of the grip. And
woe betide the victim of that shifting
cold, that splitting sneeze, or echoine
cough. For they are but the forerun
ners of the tyrant now ruling the land
And the only hope lies in the remem-
brance of the reign of terror of the
past, the rusty iron age.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
THERE is WORK AND WORK.

New York Mail and EXpress.-Bish-
OPP Potter is enthusiastically with
President Eliot, of Harvard, in his ap-
probation of the priceless boon of
hard work. He made that clear in an
last evening before an audience of
women, and he proceeded to develop
Mr.. Eliot's thesis a little by applying
it particularly to the case of women
81 hope" the bishop said to. the work
ingwomen present, that you recognize
the great privilege of toll. Happy ma
ton, happy men and women, who have
work to do and do it."
The bishop was warranted in his lit
tie paean upon labor. Labor is good
thing. 1t is, when properly regarded
bliss. 1t may not have been so re-
garded in the past. The Christian re-
ligion has long seemed to teach that
labor is curse, put upon the human
species as a punishment for Adams
transgressions, but in spite of this,
the species has been laboring so long
that it has come to like it.
Nevertheless, there are different
kinds of bliss. The bliss of doing the
sort of work that you like to do is one
kind, and the bliss OF doing exactly
the kind of work that you like least
is quite another kind.
President Eliot and Bishop Potter
are both doing the kind of work that
they like to do. 1t is no wonder that
they speak in praise of the delight of
labor. But among the women in a
great city like this there are tens of
thousands who, day in and day out,
year in and year out, early and late,
and sometimes on Sundays and holi--
days, are toiling at the machine, or at
the bench, or in an evil and polluted
atmosphere, or in the presence of obi
GUS company, at work which offers not
only not attraction in itself, but which
becomes daily more irksome more I'M
bearable.
These women should try to be con-
tented and probably most of them do.
Some of them fly the task-whither
they do not know, and sometimes do
not care. The mantle of charity does
well to cover them, at least little
bit, in their flight And for those who
do not fly it at all, but patiently labor
on and on, is any alienation or sweet
ness which their more fortunate sis
tiers can bring them in their toll TOO
good?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
The United States secures desirable

The United States secures desirable
coaling stations in Cuba, but it will be
a matter of surprise to many that Gu
ban sovereignty will be recognized over
the Isle of Pines. The island really
belongs to Cuba, but it was thought
that the little gem would be coded to
the United States, and it would have
been had our government insisted on
it. This act of generosity is but an
other example of the consideration
our government has had toward Cuba
from the beginning The island was
set free by our arms, and all that the
United States has asked is two coaling
stations, which will be as much for
the protection of Cuba as it will be
for United States interests in the
Caribbean sea.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
NOW LET US ALL WAIT.

Cedar Rapids Republican--The Des
Moines Register and Leader half and
half, has made official announcement
of some of the Intentions of his excel
lency the governor of Iowa. Until
these momentous announcements
came forth we had all been cropping in
the dark. Now blessed is daylight,
when it is let in that way.
Governor Cumins,' says our half
and half contemporary, will return in
a few days" We are assured that the
greatest interest has been aroused in
political circles by reason of the fact
that the governor has talked with the
President. Mirabile dictu, the gov
ernor has talked with the President.
Various stories have gone out" says
the Register and Leader, ito the effect
that the governor might recede from
his tariff position. But we are told
that this is vigorously denied by those
who are close to the governor" The
close ones ought to know They say
that while he is prepared to make all
reasonable concessions so far as the
wording of the platform is concerned,
he will in no way depart from the atti-
tude he made clear in last years cam
paign." We are also assured that at
some Polk county meeting or other,
he will make it clear as to what he
thinks the state platform should con-
tain. How generous, that he may
make some concessions in language;
How beautiful this all is! How it
relieves the many of thinking them
selves. What fine arrangement it is
that the governor should tell the par
ty what the platform should contain,
We have a governor at last who knows
just what ought to be done and who
does not hesitate to state it to his
humble people
We trust that such fierce editors as
Ram of Manchester, Mclean of Cres-
ton, Murphy of Vinton, HELEN of Web
ster City, Bailey of Britt, and even
Young of Lafeville will sit down and
wait until they hear what the COVER
nor has to say. They have been yowl-
ing and yelping as if they had thoughts
and rights of their own. 1t ought to
be stopped. What right has anyone
to be thinking out the next platform
until his eXcellency gets through with
lit? Hasn't he been in Florida and
did he not tarry in Washington? Why
shouldn't he know?
1t might be argued that governors
and other Office holders might leave
the platform making to the party as a
whole. But that argument no longer
holds good. We now have in our midst
a governor who looks after all these
mere details.
Let us wait and hear what will be
said to the Polk county politicians, and
then let us all beware of the sin Of lese
majestic.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
VICTORY IN THE AIR.

Victory was in the air at the repub-
lican city convention Thursday even
ing. 1t is conceded by large majori-
ty OF the people of this city that a
change is imperatively demanded in the
city administration. The republicans
of Ottumwa, realizing this fact, went
into convention with a fixed determine
alton to put up a ticket that would be
thoroughly representative in every re-
spect and such as would command the
respect, confidence and enthusiastic
support of the public That
the work of the convention
was we'll done, goes without
saying A glance at the list of can
didates is all that is necessary to show
that the party has placed before the
voters of this city, list of nomin-
atoms where every candidate is en-
inently qualified for the position to
which he aspires. The platform
adopted is straightforward, clear-cut
and unequivocal. There is no lodging
the issues and it means that with the
election of the republican ticket this
city will have a careful, conservative
and able business administration. In
James K. Dysart, the nominee for may
or, the republicans have a standard
bearer about whom they can rally with
the greatest enthusiasm, knowing be-
yond question of doubt that under his
direction, all public matters will be
handled in the best possible manner.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
THE TRUE THEORY.

1t seems that the policy of the repub-
lican party to protect American indus
tries and labor is the only true solu-
ton OF that great economic question.
The man who creates is strong fac
tor in general progress. But men must
have opportunities to create and suffi-
Gent incomes for present needs and
something for the future in order that
their capabilities to produce may be
given their full measure of strength.
1t has always been the contention of
the republican party that a duty on for
eign imports was necessary in order
to protect the American producer and
keep the wheels OF industry revclv-
ing. This seems to be the true theory
and the only safe one.
The democrats attack the protective
system of the republican party ON the
ground that the consumer
pays tri1le more. and on
the further ground that certain
people use the mantle of protection to
cover monopolies. Ii this were
true, which We do not concede, it
is too small and Insignificant to dis
cuss in this age of prosperity and bus
mess expansion. The duty on articles
largely used by the people is a mere
bagatelle to each Individual None but
ardent extremists would favor. chang
ing our protective policy to the injury
of present conditions. 1t would be dis
astrous.
AS to certain schedules sheltering
monopoly, nothing has as yet been To-
Gated by the opponents of pro-
lection to prove it. In this
age people will not accept ru-
mors for facts. The thoughtful repub.
licans of Iowa do not believe that there
is enough of bad in the Dingley law to
warrant any revision at this time or
in the near future, SO long as condi-
tons remain as they are.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
THE OLD AND THE NEW.

Burlington Hawk-Eye: 1t is said
that people get craze over certain
diseases. For instance, those who liv.
ed in the good old days and are still
with us will tell you that when they
were boys nobody had the grip. New,
er heard Of it! Fever n ager" thirty.
ed in the land, and rheumatism -four
ished. But this new malady had moi
yet lifted it's head above the horizon
line of medical science.
Yet it seems, although we have in
deed gained the grip. which seems tc
have a determination to hold on till
death do MS part, we have lost one i'll
That is, the deadly pin the rusty nail
the old piece of iron, to look at even
has often been the cause of the death
of a good man! What has become OF
abe danger? 1t used to be the happ,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
CONFIDENCE BACK WITH CASH.

Minneapolis Times: The railway d.
rectors and managers of this country
seem to have the utmost faith in the
continuance of prosperity. Their bud.
gets provide for expenditures in bet
terments this year of S300,000,000 and
the bill for the maintenance and bet
terments combined will be between
SS0O,O00,000 and Sl.000000,000. Nearly
seventeen per cent of the gross in
come of 1902 will be spent in proyid-
ing additional facilities this year. In
the last few years the carrying capac-
ity OF the railways of the United
States has been doubled. trebled and
in some cases quadrupled and still the
roads are not able promptly to take
cftre of the business offered. What
better demonstration of the volume Of
our national commerce could there be
than this?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
VAN WAGNEN's CANDIDACY.

1t was while at Waterloo OIL Jackson
day that Judge Van Wagner of Sioux
City launched his gubernational boom
with quite display of fireworks. The
judge wants the democrats to name
him at their June convention and he
will do the rest. The judge is nice
man to meet and is reckoned pretty
good citizen in the community where
he lives, though he is little known
elsewhere in the state except as a
standing candidate for office. He must
have been a pupil at the Gen. Weaver
school OF politics.
In 1896 Judge Van Wagner sup
ported Bryan and was bowling adj
vocate of free silver. Four years later
he was found on the front seat of the
same band wagon during the early
stages of the campaign, but he seemed
to grow tired of the job and began
hedging. In the 1901 campaign he
of accuracy, and one year later an
nounced that he was a gold democrat.
Strange as it may appear, in view Of
the judges many lightning changes,
he hangs TO the opinions formed last
year on the money question. He be-
lieves that they will hold good until the
June convention.
On the part Of the leaders there is
disposition to give the judge the
nomination. All he expects to get out
of it is little advertising, and he
should be given the chance. Others
have been favored by the party in that
line, and the judge is due at about this
time
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17

Less than three months ago Mayor
Wray of Oskaloosa married a dashing
widow at Belle PLANE. 1t all came
about through correspondence. She
claimed to be fabulously rich and Os-
kaloosa's chief executive wanted a
goodly portion of her wealth. 1t turns
out that it took about all her money
to pay her passage from Elmira, N.
Y, to Belle PLANE, and Mr.. Wray is
a sadly disappointed man. He also
says that she possesses double
edged temper and exceptionally ex--
pensive habits. AS result the unfor-
tunate official has decided to unload
her through the divorce court route.
All in all, it is an unfortunate affair,
but the Oskaloosan is old enough to
know better.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
A Brisk Market.

Cedar Rapids Republican,: A COM.
plant comes from Miller, S. D., that
the young men of that place marry
the school teachers as fast as they
can be brought in from Iowa and other
more eastern states. The demand for
wives is said to be even greater than
the demand for teachers. The age OF
the teacher seems to be no bar to
matrimony-everything is snapped up
in the matrimonial markets as soon as
it reaches those parts. But it is a
mean man that would not rejoice over
these facts. Getting married in South
Dakota is better than teaching school
indefinitely, with wages as they are in
the average school district.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17

An American syndicate, it is said,
has purchased the great volcano of Po-
pocatapetl in Mexico, including the
immense sulphur deposits. The pur-
chase price is $5,0O0O0O. The peak
of this mountain is very difficult to
reach but the purchasers hope to
build cog wheel railroad to the Sum
nit and operate the sulphur deposits
on an extensive scale. The compile
ton of this road will give tourists an
opportunity to ascend mountain that
is now beyond the reach of any but
the most vigorous and experienced OF
mountaineers.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-17
recent speech shows his present state
Of mind. He said:

Of mind. He said:
81 have been accused of preventing
harmony. No man wants harmony
any more than do, and no one has
suffered more from for lack of it than
/ have, but you can't keep in one or
ganization men who want to cut each
others threats. They accuse me of
saying hard things, about Cleveland. |
never said anything about him so hard
as did President Mckinley, who said,
Cleveland is trying to make money the
master and all things else, servant.
81 am not ashamed OF any humble
part | may have had in driving out of
the democratic party man who tried
to make money master and everything
else servant. / want him in some other
party than ours. | would be glad to
help organize one for his exclusive
use"
Contrast with this the serene calm
state of mind in which the man who
tried to moke money master and every
thing else slave" finds himself.
Politics is the remotest thought in
my mind at the present time and has
been for years past. | have preached
democratic doctrines all my life and
shall continue to do so. But am con-
tent to live the life of quiet peaceable
citizen, and will be happy if | am left
in that sphere unmolested."
There is little indication of harmony
ever being consummated between these
two so-called democrats. 1t is not i'm
probable that there will continue to be
the same strife for control i'll the DEM
ocratic conventions for the next two
years as there was during the
last presidential campaign