davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
HE SPOKE WISELY.

1t will be remembered that in his
Minneapolis speech President Roose-
welt said that sin making any read
justment there are certain important
considerations which cannot be disre-
garded. If tariff law has on the
whole worked well, and if business
has prospered under it and is prosper
ing, it may be better to endure some
Inconvenience and inequalities for a
time than by making changes to risk
causing disturbance and perhaps pa
ralysis in the industries and business
of the country"
These are as true words as were
ever uttered in relation to the subject
of tariff changes at this time especial
ly or at any time when conditions
create prosperity The President
sees only danger in tariff tinkering,
and he would preserve the protection
American workingmen. He advises
caution in making changes so that no
legitimate interests may suffer. AS
President of the whole country he does
not believe in disfguring our present
tariff law to meet sectional requests
to the injury of the larger commune
ties.
In the campaign of 1900 the senti-
ment was to ''let we'll enough alone"
That sentiment then appealed to a
prosperous people In the campaign
of 1904 the same feeling will carry the
day for the party of protection. Pub
lie sentiment and Judgment are
against meddling with this tariff in
! such way as to paralyze the business
and Industrial interests of the coun-
fry
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION.

To the Republican Electors of the
State of Iowa.
There will be delegate convention
of the republicans of Iowa held in the
city of Des Moines, Iowa, on Wednes-
day, July /, for the purpose of placing
In nomination candidate
For governor,
For lieutenant governor,
For superintendent of public instruc-
ton,
For judge supreme court,
For railroad commissioners.
And for the transaction of such 9TH
er business as may properly come be-
fore said convention.
All voters of the state who believe
IN republican principles and who en-
dorse the policies of the republican
party, are cordially invited to unite
under this call in the election of dele
gates to said convention. The ratio
OF representation will be as follows:
One delegate at large for each coun-
ty and one additional delegate for
each 200 votes or fraction of 100 or
over, cast for w. B, Martin, republi-
can candidate for secretary of state at
the election of 1902
The representation to which the
several counties. will be entitled under
n this call is as follows.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
THE COMING CONVENTION.

The choice of George D. Perkins for
temporary chairman of the republican
state convention July /, has more to
it than appears on the surface. 1t is
in the interest of harmony to large
extent and may do much in that way.
In his speech he will have little to say
on the tariff, and what he says will be
along conservative lines. In his paper,
(the Sioux City JournaD, ne has sup
ported the platforms of his party and
the nominees, and in doing SO has been
classed as an advocate of the
Iowa idea which is not the case
He was shrewd enough to see that an
acrimonious discussion would do no
good, and persistently advocated a get
ting together of those who differ to
settle their troubles
1t is well known in Iowa political cir
cles that Mr.. Perkins is warm
friend of Iowa's chief executive.
1t is also known that he has not en-
tirely agreed with certain tariff views
expressed by the same gentleman. Sen
ator Allison advocated the selection of
Mr. Perkins for temporary chairman,
which shows that he did SO to create
harmony in the party and no trouble
in the convention or platform. The
action of the republican state central
committee foretells irregular old time
convention and harmony in the party
during the campaign
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
COST OF GROWING CORN.

homestead: A recently published
volume, called "The Book of Corn
contains a chapter on the cost of grow
ing corn, in which are brought togeth-
er the facts and figures of several off
cial Investigations. For example, in
1894 the United States department of
agriculture investigated the subject.
1t asked estimates from $4,000 corn
raisers in all parts of the country.
These estimates were tabulated, and
it was found that the average cost of
an acre of corn, including rent, ma
nure. cultivation, harvesting and mar.
keting, was Sill, while the average
yield was twenty-five and one half
bushels, making the cost So cents a
bushel; at forty bushels to the acre
the cost would have been 1913 cents.
In 1898 the Illinois experiment sta,
ton made careful investigation and
found that the average cost of raising
corn in Illinois was 1871 cents per
bushel. Another investigation in Wis
consin the same year showed the cost
in that state to be 20 cents per bushel.
The Hiram Sibley estate in Illinois,
which kept books for a number of
years, showed an average yield Of 41.5
bushels, at first cost Of 146 cents
per bushel. The cost was figured on
the basis of the actual accomplishment
per days labor the labor being charg4
ed at the rate of $3.50 per day for man
and team, and so cents per day for ex-
ira horses when used. The wage in
cluded board of man and team The
land was valued at $50 per acre, and,
charging interest in this value at q
per cent, showed the cost to be 235
per bushel
The 1894 estimate of the agricultural
department is manifestly valueless as
respects the true corn raising states,
for data from the poor corn raising
states were included. The Illinois
and Nebraska estimates doubtless
came the nearest the truth so far as
the corn raising states are concerned,
and suggest that a yield of forty BUSH
els to the acre, at the prices which
have prevailed in recent years, is prof.
table, with the profit further increased
by intelligent feeding.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05

and hold up to ridicule his home and
its leading men. When he does he
opens the door to the closet in his own
house and exposes the skeleton that
has soured his disposition and curdled
his patriotism.
But it seems that Iowa has at least
one inhabitant of the kind. He was
present at the late Kansas City ban
quet, and in the course OF his speech
drew a dark picture of Iowa manhood.
Speaking of mem in public life from
the standpoint OF "a comparison between
Missouri and Iowa he said The Mis-,
souri, delegation both represents and
serves its state, while the Iowa dele.
cation represents the state in name
only. 1t serves New England" Accord
ing to the gentleman's logic, all is
good and noble in Missouri states,
ma1iship and all is vile in the pub
lie men OF Iowa Possibly the speak
er believed what he said, and possibly
what he said was for effect. When an
Iowa democrat gets into Missouri he
is liable to do great many queer
things.
Other comparisons that were made,
made Iowa look like pygnly by the
side of a giant. Missouri was held up
as model commonwealth, while the
impression left was that Iowa pub
lie men are corrupt because they are
not democrats. Just how the speaker
got around the boodlerism in the Mis-
souri, legislature and in all the large
cities in that state is not exactly clear.
But this made no difference to him.
What he was there for was to give
Iowa the hot end of the poker, and he
did it.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05

department has caused democratic
tongues to work over time. At one time
he was postmaster general, and when
he was younger and had better health
he did his work WELL Then he did
not leave the work to subordinates and
take the chances of it being done well.
Under. rules of the department men
of all shades of political opinion were
retained, and when they have gone
wrong it was their fault and not his.
For over forty years he has been
connected with the department With
in year or two the most unscrupulous
schemers have concocted plans to beat
the United States government on the
line of get rich quick plans" 1t APP
pears that men in the postoffice de-
partment under General Tyner were
either purposely OF financially deceived
by these ghouls on the public, but the
nominal head OF the legal end of the
department must suffer for their trans.
gressions.
But Mr.. Tyner through his wife,
with the assistance of safe ex-
pert, opened the safe in his office, and
extracted certain papers that showed
crookedness. This was wrong and is
so recognized by everybody. Possibly
General Tyner knew of this as against
him as an official, but that does not ex-
cuse him. His former good record is
clouded by the act of his wife and he
must stand for what it brings. Pres
ident Roosevelt has given orders that
the scandal be thoroughly investigat-
ed regardless of who it hits, and it is
safe to say that it will be clear ex-
position of what has been going on
in that department. There is no reas-
on to cover anything and the guilty
parties will be located.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
MRS. GREEN AND PROVIDENCE.


Mrs. Hetty Green supposed to be
the richest woman in the United
States, has a queer idea of Providence.
as the hind wheel of road wagon, and
she never parts with the dollar until
she is sure it will go out and return
with companion. She lays her
great success in accommodating wealth
to Divine aid. Mrs. Green is continu-
ally in court, either as PLAINTIFF or de-
PENDANT, and generally manages to
get the best of legal contests The
other day, when case went i'll her
favor, she said: God seems to bless
me in my suits in court. ! had case
in Chicago, where, as Administrative
of an estate | sued a Presbyterian
church to foreclose mortgage. They
TREAD to freeze me out, and even the
ministers preached against me, but be-
fore got through with them, manag-
ed to get S1,66O more than asked for
in the first place"
Her observations are somewhat hard
on the Chicago ministers who asked
Providence to advise the jury to de.
eide against her in that case. Instead
OF getting an adverse verdict, she got
$1,000 more than she asked.
The claim of the wealthy woman is
sly way she takes to square herself
with the public for her moneygrasp-
ing propensities She is naturally
shrewd, and what she does not know
about being on the safe side OF all
deals her attorney tells her. Provi-
dence has nothing to do with it, 1t
will be pretty hard for Mrs Hetty
Green to prove that kind of a partner
ship.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION.

Before the republican national con-
vention is located there will be a lively
contest over the location. Naturally
there are number of cities which de-
sire the convention of that party.
There is not such scramble for dem
ocratlc conventions, for the reason
that the name of the city is usually
coupled with the platform and the
city suffers. Kansas City gained moth.
ing in reputation because of the last
democratic convention, and Chicago
would get out an injunction to keep one
like that held in 1896 from meeting
there
However, the struggle for the next
republican convention will be out
of the ordinary because an effort will
be made to give that gathering some
thing of historic coloring. ST. Louis
is accredited with project to secure
the next convention in that city, says
a writer, in order that the gathering
may be something of an adjunct to the
worlds fair to be held there next year.
1t is urged that 1t would be fitting for
that political party whose supremacy
in the nation has been coincident with
the development of the Louisiana ter
ritory to such a marked degree to hold
its supreme council in ST. Louis while
the celebration of the purchase of that
territory is in progress. 1t must be
admitted that there is some force to
this argument and that it will appeal
to republicans.
Detroit, Mich, is in the field for the
location of the convention as feature
Of the celebration of the semi-centen-
NAL of the birth of the republican party
under the oaks at Jackson in that
state. This IDA will appeal with no
little force. and the people of the VOL
VERNE state are striving to secure the
gathering. But the chances are that
the greater event will overshadow that
of less Importance. 1t is quite prob
able that ST. Louis will be chosen, pro-
viding the exposition proves the sue
cess anticipated. Indications point
to that as convention city in 1904.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05

is brave. generous and progressive, a
worthy successor of the great states
men who have preceded him as rulers
of this nation.
Now that he will be with us tomor-
row evening it is only proper that we
show the appreciation We feel as citi-
zens of, great country for the great
man who honors our beautiful city
with his presence for few hours, Let
the decorations be profuse and all ar
.rangements be perfect for this auspi-
cious event and our presence along the
line of march and as auditors to his
speech attest our patriotism. Give
the little people chance to see their
President that they may thereafter re-
tain pleasant memory of the occa-
sion. Make the day one all remember.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
AS JONES LOOKS AT 1T.

Former Senator Jones of Arkansas
is in Washington and naturally could
not keep from talking politics. 1t is a
habit he got into many years ago, and
even though Arkansas democrats laid
his senatorial aspirations for another
term on the shelf, he thinks he knows
a little something about politics yet.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Jones
acted as chairman of the national dem
ocratic committee, and contributed
materially through blunders to Mr..
Bryan's two defeats. 1t became a COM
mon byword that Mr.. Jones could
claim more and get less than any man
in the United States.
During his late interview the dis
tinguished Arkansan said that if he
had time he could name hundred men
who would make acceptable demo-
cratic candidates for the presidency
and unite the party. However, he
thinks Senator German the best piece
of timber in the pile. He does not
think much of D. B. Hill and Grover
Cleveland and he thinks that the
Judge Parker boom was started so ear
ly it has worn itself out.
A strange thing connected with the
interview is that the name of one w.
j. Bryan is not mentioned by Mr..
Jones, either as candidate or party
leader. The next chance the Nebras-
kan gets to make a speech he will
probably refer to few of the short
comings of his former lieutenant The
man who differs with the gallant Ne
hraska colonel must be on the lookout
for brickbats.
While it is not important what the
Hon. j. K Jones thinks about politics
and politicians, it is interesting to note
that he does not hesitate to use his
scalping knife on members of his
party.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
The LAST WAR GOVERNOR.

With the passing OF Alexander
Ramsey, former governor OF Mime
sofa. secretary of war under President
Hayes and for two terms United States
senator, the last man who was govern
or of a state during the civil war, has
gone TIC his reward He was the last
survivor of the great men who render
ed the country grand service during
the great rebellion. He was co-work-
er with Kirkwood. Yates, Morton and
Curtin in furnishing soldiers for the
field While there were other govern
ors who did well, these five became
the most widely known and useful in
the hour of the nations need.
Alexander Ramsey reached the ripe
old age of IS years. He came from
Pennsylvania to Minnesota in 1S49
with a commission as territorial gov
ernor. When the state government
was organized Governor Ramsey took
a prominent part in the deliberations
of the constitutional convention, and
was elected governor in 1860. He was
active in organizing the states military
service during the period OF the civil
war, and in 1868 was elected United
States senator being reelected in 1859.
He supported all the war measures OF
President Linconfs administration and
took a prominent part in the discus
sion of the momentous questions OF
the reconstruction period.
Governor Ramsey was not only the
last surviving war governor, but he
was the first governor to offer troops
to the United States. He was in Wash
ington when Sumpter was fired Oh
and at once made the tender of a regi-
ment, which was accepted. His life
though long, was useful one, and his
death removes a prominent Landmarks
of a former generation.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
A POPULAR CANDIDATE.

The candidacy of John F. Riggs of
Sigourney for superintendent of pub
lie instruction is being well received
by the Iowa press. His fitness for the
position is universally acknowledged,
and he is recognized as man of fin
'ished education and the highest char
acter He would do honor to that inn
portant office and no mistake would
be made in placing him there. In or
der that the people may know more
about Mr.. Riggs and the years he has
spent in study and later as a teacher
and in educational pursuits we desire
to give condensed biography of the
gentleman. 1t shows that since IA
years of age his life work has been
along educational lines. His biogra-
ply is as follows:
John F. Riggs was born near Salem,
Iowa, February IA 1860.
Spent the first fourteen years of his
life on farm.
Was a student in Whittier college
two years and in the Iowa Wesleyan
university FIVE years.
Won honors in oratory and repre-
scented his college in the state oratori-
cal contest at Grinnell in 1885.
Graduated from the Iowa Wesleyan
university in 1885 with class honors.
Taught (before graduation) for
three years.
Was county superintendent of
schools, Henry county, six years.
Was city superintendent at Mt.
Pleasant seven years.
Is now serving his foruth year as
city superintendent at Sigourney
Served as a member of the executive
committee of the State Teachers as
sociation for three years.
Was president of the Southeastern
Iowa Teachers association one year.
Has lectured in twenty-four coun-
ties before teachers institutes.
The record is certainly good one.
1t shows that he has been successful
in many educational branches and
points out his fitness for the position
of superintendent of public instruction.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
MUSIC GROWS LOUDER.

Democratic editors who have never
been admirers of Organism are more
than ever shocked at the Nebraskan's
Kansas City Speech, and as fast as
they recover and collect their thoughts
they are trying to explain that Bryan
is not democrat according to their
light on the subject. If the editors and
politicians in the sound money wing
of the democratic party had not voted
with the party as boiled over by Bry-
an, he would not be a political factor
today with disturbing powers. AS it
is they did a little kicking, but swal-
lowed the dose.
One of the most Disguised editors
in Iowa over Bryan's latest speech is
the editor of the Burlington Gazette.
Conditions must be pretty bad when
he is compelled to say:
His efforts at disorganizing are hav-
ing some effect and may add distance
again rule. But the people are becom-
ing tired of his constant mouthings
and the Negotiations he administers to
such men as Hill, Olney, Cleveland,
Francis and others of the party whose
knowledge of democracy and states
manship were acquired when VIM. j.
Bryan was doing his morning stunt in
the Lincoln police court.
Had a republican editor expressed
even half that vindictiveness, he would
have been accused of rank partisan
ship. But some of our democratic
brethren are growing desperate, and
as the provocation is great they can
scarcely be blamed.
The fact that Grover Cleveland has
taken a renewed interest in politics
gives anti-Bryan democrats new life,
and they are growing holder in ex-
pressing their opinions. From re-
publican standpoint the battle is inter-
eSting.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
MAKE 1T ENTHUSIASTIC.

Tomorrow evening the people of OF
tumwa and vicinity will be given the
opportunity to welcome the president
of the United States and the other dis
tinguished guests who will be present
with him. This city is particularly
honored by the visit at the hour it oc-
ours, as all the people will thus be CIV
en- an opportunity to see the chief ex-
ecutiye of this great nation and well
come him as becomes his position.
Theodore Roosevelt is the President
of the greatest nation on earth, and in
every way he is well fitted for that
responsible position. In every way he
is distinctively American. In charac-
ter, thought and action he is a typical
representative of the spirit of the age
and the genius of our government. He
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-05-05
THE BALANCE OF TRADE.

1t is always pleasure to delye into
statistics touching the export trade OF
this country. Here is told the story
of American push and commercial ag-
gressiveness. 1t also tells the pleas
ant story OF the employment of labor
to create the surplus for export. While
the home consumption is larger than ev-
ier before, labor is able to produce a
great deal more than the home market
needs, and this finds it's way into the
markets of foreign countries.
The bureau of statistics has given
out an abstract Of our exports and i'm
ports since 1890, when the records
We're commenced. 1t was not until
1876 that the exports exceeded the i'm
ports. At that date in history the bal
ance turned, and since then there has
been nearly steady excess of ex-
ports over imports. The only inter-
ruption occurred during the last three
years of a remocratic administration
from 1894 to 1897.
From 1897 to 1902, statistics show
that exports over imports were $3,1l9,-
100000. A financial writer in the New
York Times, in >an exhaustive discus
sion OF the subject says that the natur-
al assumption would be that for the
same period there must have been a
considerable amount of gold and silver
brought into the country; on the con-
trary the net imports of gold have
been only $214,000,000, or less than Z
per cent of the excess Of total exports.
and Of gold and silver together there
has been an excess OF exports of some
S60,000,000. 1t is not easy to explain
how this enormous excess of merchan-
disc exports was in reality paid Tor,
says the same writer. In part it was
by the freight and insurance on our
imports, in part by the money eXpend-
ed by travellers abroad, in part by can
collation. of debts owed in other coun-
tries, and in very large part by trans
fer of American securities from foreign
to American ownership. However ex-
planned, the total operation is by far
the most extraordinary in our CONNER
cial history.
The conditinon of our trade is sure
ly healthy. Manufacturers and produc-
ers generally do not complain of lack
of markets or low prices for what they
send abroad. AS long as this condition
is in operation times must remain
good. If ever reaction comes it will
be due entirely to change OF tariff
and the disturbance of local condi-
tions. The day Of such a calamity
should be postponed indefinitely.