davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
UNIQUE CAMPAIGN.

The presidential campaign this year
will be an unique affair. Not in the
manner the campaign is conducted nor
yet in the platforms set forth. Its dis
similarity to other presidential years
and its unprecedented difference will
be in the candidate nominated by the
republican party and elected to the Of
flee of President of the United States.
The people of the United States have
decreed that Theodore Roosevelt shall
be the nominee of the republican party
in this years canvass. So united are
they on this proposition that his cleo
ton is already assured. In this there
fore, is the campaign of 1904 to differ
from all previous ones.
He will be the first vice-president of
the several who have by accident sue
ceeded to the presidency, to be elected
to that office. None of his predeces-
sors in the vice-presidential chair, who
came to be chief executive, were. even
accorded the nomination of their party.
Both Tyler and Fillmore failed in their
desire to become President of the Uni
ted States by election. Before An
drew johnson had served long as the
successor of Abraham Lincoln all pos
sibility of his being placed in nomina.
ton by the republicans if there ever
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
AND LAW ENFORCE
MENT

A delegation from the cattle ranges
of the west recently visited Washing
ton for the purpose of making a plea
to President Roosevelt to allow the
cattle men to continue to fence in the
ranges. The present federal laws
strictly forbid such practice and the
cattle men took this method of trying
to keep the law against these fences
from being enforced. This delegation
has now returned home and the
spokesman is said to have made the
following, but comprehensive brief
statement with regard to the outcome
of the junket:
| failed. The President told me
he could do nothing. l presented the
case as it is and gave him good idea
of the disastrous consequences which
will follow the enforcement of the law.
He said the law was on the statute
books and must be enforced.
The above gives most forcible IL
lustration of the kind of man President
Roosevelt is when it comes to ques-
ton of enforcing the laws of the Unit
ed States. He believes that laws are
put on the statute books to be en-
forced and that it is his duty to see
that they are enforced regardless OF
whom they may hit, and that if any
law may be Objectionable the best way
to secure it's early repeal is to see that
it is strictly enforced.
However, there is no question in the
minds of the American people but that
the laws regarding the fencing of the
public lands Of the west is just. These
cattlemen certainly have no right to
use for private gain the public lands
without making any sort of remunera-
ton. In fact they like the manner in
which he is enforcing all of the federal
laws and they propose to endorse his
action in this regard by returning him
to the presidential chair by one of the
largest popular majorities ever given
a President. He has performed his
duty fearlessly, impartially and with
justice to all and he will be given en-
phatic commentator at the polls next
fall
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
CAN GIVE BETTER SERVICE.

1t may be Cannon but it will never
be Shaw. Iowa comes next in order
for the presidency and she cannot af-
ford to take second place on the tick
ct this year. Illinois had several
tastes of honey from the honey comhb
and Iowa has always stood by her can
didates. It is only natural that this
state now feels old enough and mental
ly strong enough to lay claim to the
whole hive four years hence. 1t would
be folly to take second place and we
do not believe Secretary Shaw will be
foolish enough to be pulled inside the
ropes. - Abba Union.
Secretary Shaw can undoubtedly do
his fellow countrymen a greater and
better service by continuing in his
present position or taking the chair
manship of the national committee
this year than he can as the vice pres
idential candidate The delegates to
the national convention will doubtless
recognize this and make their selec-
ton of the vice presidential candidate
accordingly.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

the record made by the congress of the
United States. The problems regard
ing Cuba. Hawaii and the Philippines
have been solved with the same high
purpose and in accordance with the
best interests of all concerned. Every
suspicion which connected senators
and representatives with corruption
has neen vigorously investigated. The
inausuration of the policy to promote
irrigation in the west has met with
the approval of the people of the coun-
try and no less gratifying has been the
work of congress in making possible
the early commencement of work on
the Panama canal The record made
in all departments of the government
has been such as to inspire confident
expectancy for continued wise admin
istration by the republican party. All
parts of the country are prosperous
and the people are enjoying and will
continue to enjoy the benefits of the
republican administration.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

and the enactment of low tariff meas
ure would. very likely produce the
same conditions. that prevailed under
the Wilson German tariff law during
the Cleveland administration. The eff
feet of that law was to paralyze all
kinds of business, and there is no doubt
the passage of a new tariff law with
the purpose of killing trusts. would
wreck the entire business interests of
the country. The trust agitators are
nearly all free traders, or low tariff
men. The only way to kill illegal trusts
formed in restraint of trade is by the
enactment and strict enforcement of
civil and criminal statutes to dissolve
such combinations and punish the pro-
moters. All present prosecutions are
being tried under the provisions of the
Sherman trust law, which was enact
ed by the republicans in congress.
Laws do not enforce themselves; land
the courts are open for the punish
ment of illegal combinations in the
form of trusts. that are violating the
Sherman law. If the evil is as great
as is charged enforce the law.
1t is not matter of politics as
much as matter of business.
Attorney General Knox has render
ed efficient service to the public
in pushing the trusts cases in the
federal courts. He has been supported
by the President. The result is that
the trusts are opposed to the re-elec-
ton of President Roosevelt, but the
people of this country will take hand
against the trusts and keep Theodore
Roosevelt in the White House."
In these days when there is being so
much said about the trusts and the
democratic party is SO busy declaring
that if the tariff was removed they
would disappear from our midst, it is
refreshing to read such clear and
simple discussion as the News-Repub-
lican gives. 1t is, above all, a ques-
ton that must be handled in a most
practical way and this the republican
party and the republican officials in
Washington are doing. AS the paper
points the removal of the tariff would
not affect the trusts any more than
the small business concerns of the
country if as much The people OF
the country are coming to view this
question in an intelligent light and it
will be surprising should they accept
the remedy proposed by the democrat
ic party "the removal of the tariff y
1t is more likely that American citi-
zens will place more confidence in
the course that has been adopted by
President Roosevelt - that Of enforc.
ing the national laws and continue
him in position where he can sue
cessfully complete this work
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
CONTRAST is SIGNIFICANT.

To those persons who are close SUD-
ents of national affairs the sending
from this country last week OF $l2,s
100000 gold to meet the obligations
of the United States incurred by the
purchase of the Panama canal is i'm
portant. 1t is important for the rea-
son that it demonstrates the great diff
ference in which the finances of the
government are today when compared
with Several yeas ago at which time
it was found necessary to buy gold.
Though the shipment Of gold last week
was the largest in any one week in
the country's history, it did not even
ruffle the money market. Previous to
then the largest shipment of gold was
late in 1895 when $7,239,00O were sent
out in one week on account OF the
scare in this country over dilution.
Today, however, no one pays any at
tention to the outflow of gold. 1t is ap-
parent that the political and social
condition of the country will account
for the difference The panic of 1898
which started just after Cleveland en-
tered office in his second term, and
which was brought on by the victory
of his party in the fall of 1892, sent
gold in the treasury far below the
$500 900 900 mark and compelled
Cleveland to issue bonds to buy gold.
On February 1, 1894, a sale of $50,00O,-
600 ten-year per cent bonds was
sold and in November of the same
year a like amount of bonds We're Is
sued. In February, 1895, $G2,OOO,OOO
of A per cent thirty-year bonds were
sold and year following $10O,O0O,O0
at the same rate and for the same time
were disposed Of.
Concerning these issues OF bonds
the ST. Louis Globe-Democrat says;
"These $262,0OO,O00 of interest,
bearing bonds had to be sold by Cleye'
land in his second term in order tc
keep the redemption fund of the treas
ury intact and to meet the govern
ment's expenditures. Today the treas
ury is overfowing with gold, and the
governments income, Notwithstanding
the reductions in taxation in recent
wears. more than meets it's outgo. Here
is contrast between democratic II
wandering which will appeal to the
country. In these republican days
the government can spend $50,00O,OOl
for canal without making the slight
est appreciable difference in either the
treasury condition or in that OF the
money market, while the ordinary ex
penses Of the government ten years
ago could not be met and the golf
fund kept up above the danger linz
without large sales of interest-bearint
bonds. Here are points of differenc;
between democratic and republican
financiering which will be brought on
in the press and on the stump in tn
campaign of 1904"
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
THE HEARST STAIN.

Council Bluffs Nonpareil. - The
struggle at Des Moines yesterday be-
tween the Hearst and anti Hearst fac
lions of the democratic party of Iowa
can have but one political effect, and
that will be to contribute to the size
of the republican majority in the state
this fall. All else in connection with
the convention is purely imaginative
and will prove transitory. For In
stance, whatever the decisions of his
hired managers and those brought UNI
der the spell of his millions, this VIC
tory for Hearst Is meaningless. The
vote of Iowa will not begin to save
him from the hopeless oblivion that is
certain for him as presidential can
didate. All careful estimates Of his
strength have granted him the vote Of
this state, SO his candidacy gained
practically nothing in prestige or
strength by the result at Des Moines
yesterday.
Not only is 1t an empty victory for
Hearst, but it was bought at a tre-
mendous sacrifice to the democracy Of
cradle shock to the sensibilities of the
people of the state. The opposition to
the Hearst program was determined
and bitter and the effects of the ruth
less carrying out of the yellow jour-
nalists program will show in the re-
turns in November. The alignment Of
forces was such that thousands Of
democrats who strayed from the fold
four and eight years ago now find
themselves unwelcome when they try
to rejoin their party. They find the
same radicalism prevalent now that
made outcasts Of conservatives then.
and their hope to again find political
home within the democratic party Of
their state is deferred. With the
Hearst money flowing in an I'M
broken stream the time was not at
hand for reunited democracy in
Iowa.
Thus continuing in their weakness,
the democrats Of Iowa contribute to
the strength of the republicans. But
from the broader point of view of the
state as whole, and with the states
good name in mind, it cannot but be
deplored that it is this morning her.
aided over the country that Iowa will
support Hearst for the presidential
nomination at st. Louis. 1t is stain
on the reputation of Iowa to have such
a thing happen. even through the in
strumentality of the democratic party.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
DISCUSSES TRUST QUESTION.

In recent issue the Bioomheld
Republican takes occasion to
advance some arguments in answer to
the question that is often asked:
would the repeal of our present tar
if laws destroy the trusts?" The
Bloomfield paper takes a very prac-
tical view OF this matter and argues in
a manner easily understood. 1t says:
TRUSTS are formed by business men
for the purpose Of carrying on business
enterprises. They are harmful when
they are formed for the purpose of
preventing legitimate competition or
to control prices. Trusts are not harm
full when formed and managed for the
purpose of establishing great business
enterprises, that employs labor and to
develop the resources of the country
The repeal of our present tariff laws
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
INSPIRES CONFIDENCE.

But rev months yet remain be-
fore the opening of the presidential
campaign, and yet there is but little
indication of what the democratic
platform will contain. There is sure
ly sufficient ground for the belief that
Mr.. Bryan will appeal to the extrem-
lists Of his party asking that they
stand by the Kansas City platform SO
far as the silver question is concern
ed. While this is certain to occur
at the st. Louis convention it is equal
ly certain that the reorganiZers will
viciously oppose any such proposition.
Right here is where the break may be
expected to occur, as there is now
but slight chance for a compromise.
Quite in contrast to this picture is
the harmony that prevails in the ranks
of the republican party. The party
pledges of the last two national cam
paigns have been faithfully carried
out and today these platforms present
a series of fulfilled promises. In fact
emotion over the tariff, finance and
imperialism, which formed the leading
issues of the democratic party in the
last two campaigns, has subsidized. In
regard to two of them at least the
democrats have been compelled by the
will of the American people to look up
on them as settled and should they
be put in power could pursue no other
policy than have the republicans.
But in connection with the things
that have been done by the republi-
cans during the past eight years, &C
ton in other things has been taken
which has inspired great confidence
in the people The executive and leg
islative branches of the government
have been true to the party and the
people They have dealt with new and
important questions in most success
full manner. The settlement of the an
thracite coal strike, the establishment
of the department of commerce and
labor having power to investigate the
business of great industrial concerns,
the first application Of the antitrust
law for the restriction of illegal combi-
nations of capital, the vigorous investi-
cation of the postal department and
prosecution of those found guilty Of
fraud, are but some OF the most i'm
portant accomplishments of the ad
ministration. There has been no at
tempt to shirk responsibility and the
one aim of the administration has been
to clean out all fraud in the conduct
of the government and give to the
American people Just and efficient
| government.
Quite in keeping with these accom-.
! plishments of the executive has beer
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
SUPPORT TO AGRICULTURAL COL
EHE

The manner in which the last legis-
lature provided for the state agricul-
tural college cannot but be commend
ed to every citizen of the state who
takes the least pride in it's institutions.
About three years ago the Ames school
lost by fire its main building. A tenn
porary structure was Immediately
erected and in this barn like affair
the work of the college has been car
ried. The twenty-ninth general as
sembly appropriated $4,000 to arrange
for the preliminary work and putting
in of the foundation for a new main
hail. 1t also provided millage tax to
secure funds for the construction Of
the building. BY this arrangement
there has been collected for this pur-
pose $4,000. The last assembly ap-
propriated an additional $495,000, this
sum not to be available until the build
ing has been completed ready for fur
nishing and finishing.
This building when completed will
furnish accommodations for the Offices
of the institution and the recitation
rooms. Ii will be one Of the finest
college buildings in the state and will
be sufficient to accommodate the school
for many years even if the rate of in
creased attendance continues as it has
during the past few years.
Iowans take pride in the agricultur-
al school and by reason of the support
they have seen fit to give it in the
past it has come to be recognized as
the leading institution of it's kind in
the country. That the people of Iowa
purpose to keep it in its present ad-
vanced position is evidenced by their
action through their representatives in
providing so handsomely for the en-.
largement Of it's accommodations.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
UNITED STATES RAILROADS.

The statistical reports of the United
States interstate commerce commission
Tor 1902 is the last complete statement
issued by, that body. The report con.
tains much valuable and interesting in
formation concerning the organization
OF railroad companies, the maintenance
and operation of the same. It shows
that up to that year there were about
2,O37 corporations in tho United States
These companies comprised a total
mileage, including tracks of all kinds.
of 274,195.36 miles. In the service of
these roads were 41,225 locomotives Of
which 1O,31S were classed as pas
senger, 23,594 as freight, 1888 as
switching locomotives and $50 not clas-
sified. The total nun Der of cars was
1,640,185, Of which 36,9S7 were assigns
ed to passenger service, 1,546,1O1 to
freight service, and 57,097 to the direct
service of the railways.
The number of passengers carried by
this equipment was 649, S7S, sos, and the
amount of freight was 1,2OO,315.7S
tons. This shows that the railways of
the United States during that year
used on an average 206 locomotives
and S,195 cars per 1000 miles of line;
and that 62,985 passengers were carried
and 1,90S,310 passenger miles accom-
plished per passenger engine, and that
50,S74 tons of freight were carried and
6,666,499 ton-miles accomplished per
freight engine.
The amount Of railway capital out
standing on June 80, 1902, was s12-
l34,1S2,964, representing a capitaliza-
ton of $62,301 per. mile of line. The
amount of capital stock paying no divi-
dends was 44.60 per cent of the whole
OF the stock paying dividends, $3.50
per cent of the total amount outstand-
ing paid from to per cent, 13.48 per
cent paid from to per cent, 1924
per cent paid from 5 to 6 per cent, H.
781 per cent paid from to Z per
cent, and 5.54 per cent paid from Z to
s per cent. The mount of dividends
declared during the year was S1S5 ,391,-
655, which is equivalent to a dividend
of 5.55 per cent on the amount of stock
on which some dividend was declared.
The total gross earnings for the year
were $1,726,38O,2 67. The operating ex-
penses were $1,116 ,24S,747. So the in
come from operation, or the amount
representing the difference between
gross earnings and expenses was $780,
131, 500, which makes an average
amount of net earnings per mile Of
line Of $3,04S.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

was such possibility, had vanished.
NO more successful was Chester A. Ar
thur. 1t is easy to see the cause for
the difference in political conditions
today and in these former years. Presi-
dent Roosevelt at the time he took the
oath of Office as the successor of Will
liam Mckinley declared that he would
faithfully carry out the policies and
purposes of his illustrious predecessor.
How we'll he has succeeded is known
to all the American people. He has been
faithful to his trust, has administered
the laws in the interest of the whole
people. His whole record since COM
ing to the presidential chair has been
such as to cause the confidence of the
people in him to grow. These charac-
teristics were entirely lacking in his
predecessors who came to the office by
accident.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10
MAKE THE PLATFORM SHORT.
b l<,-4e<

~. y,
cisive, precise and concise" advised
President Roosevelt recently during a
conference with number of republi.
can leaders in Washington. The
President is right. The platform Of
the republican party this year should
be short. 1t should be confined to the
declaration OF the fundamental princi-
pies Of the republican faith and per-
maps the assurance that the republican
party intends to continue in its course
as the champion of the best welfare Of
the people OF the United States.
The republican party has it's record
OF accomplishments These are well
known to the American people making
"a recapitulation of it's work in the
platform unnecessary. Neither is
there need that the platform should
contain any arguments for the contin-
uance OF the party in power. All such
arguments needed will be made by the
republican speakers and the republican
papers during the campaign The best
argument that can be put forward in
favor of keeping the republican party
in charge of the affairs of the govern
ment is the existing prosperity that
mas come to the people of the country
under its administration and this is
known to every citizen of the republic.
President Roosevelt is most certain
~ right when he advises short plat
form. Do not lncumber 1t with unnec-
essary verbiage but make it replete
with wise doctrines for the legislation
and administration of national affairs.
Then the American people will so in.
struct their representatives in con-
gress that the legislation desired will
be enacted and President Roosevelt
may be depended on to strictly execute
the same. A short platform and a
long majority will be the watchwords
of the republicans of the nation this
wear &SS1t r-.-,-. = -
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

AS long as Uncle Joe" Cannon be-
longed only to the people of Illinois
he did not have any trouble trying to
keep out of the way of vice presi-
Dental nominations. but now that he
has come to belong to the people of
the nation his troubles begin.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

C. NJ. Junkin of the Fairfield Led
ger has resigned his position as post
master at Fairfield. He has given up|
those duties in order that he might be
able to devote the time to his newspa-
per which is necessary to conduct it
properly.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

men did not carry out their talked of
plan Of busting Mr.. Cullison and pro-
viding a temporary chairman of their
own beliefs was that they caught sight
of the long speech he had prepared
for the occasion and decided that it
would be too cruel to not permit him
to deliver it.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

Another evidence here in the sixth
district that Mr.. Bryan is at heart a
supporter of Hearst is given in the
fact that G. f. Rinehart, who last year
was one of the most radical Bryan
men, was this year found in the ad-
vance guard of the Hearst forces.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-10

Charlie Walsh and w. R. Hearst
won out in walk at the Des Moines
convention, but they should remember
that there is another time coming at
which they will have to give an &C.
count to the rank and file OF the demo-
cratic party.