Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-09-20
CREATE NO SENSATION
Spence is Not Government EmpIoye
and In Asking Those Who are for
Campaign Contributions He is Not
Breaking the Law-outIook for Re.
publicans In Iowa is Good,
[BY H. ]. MAHIN.]
Washington Bureau of the Courier.
WASHINGTON, D, c., Sept, IL,

Cha1rma an CoWherd of the democrat
ic congressional committee attempted
a sensation yesterday by calling the
attention of the civil service commits
sion TO the letter sent out by Chairman
spence of the Iowa republican COM
mittee, asking for contributions from
Iowans in the government service.
The inference is that the action is
an infracticn Of the Presidents order
about federal employees soliciting politi-
cal contributions. MIR. Spence's let
ter asks government employees at
Washington and elsewhere to con-
tribute three per cent of their annual
salary.
Admits His Failure.
Cowherd's action has fallen fiat and
he admitted himself that Mr.. Spence
had not broken the civil service law.
The law says only that those in the
governments employ must not solicit.
Spence Is not In the government SER
vice. The law does not say that em-
ployes must not contribute. They are
| allowed to contribute all they want.
This action is taken by the Iowa COM
mittee every year and also by commit
tees Of the other states, and is not I'M
usual. There is some speculation as
to who gave Cowherd a copy of
Spence's letter. He has one in his pos
session and 1t is regarded as under
handed action on the part of some fed
eral employee now holding a position
under the republican regime. If the
party is found he may have an unpleas-
ant time with some prominent Iowans
of Washington.
Outlook Is Good.
Des Moines, Sept. 17-Chairman
Spence concluded the republican dis
held at Davenport and Burlington.
These meetings were we'll attended
and satisfactory interest was manifest
ed,
The meeting at Burlington was at.
tended by every county chairman in
| the district, with one exception, also
by Congressman Hedge and number
OF other prominent first district repub.
leans, 1t was the uniform statement
Of all present that conditions were
never better In the district than now.
1t was said that the prospects are good
that the republicans will carry Lee
county, while John W. Rowley, Of Keo,
oduAud, plSuSSQ van Dutch Guilty lOI
300 majority Roosevelt.
Democrats Dissatisfied.
In nearly every county it was re-
ported that great disaffection exists
among the democrats, the Bryan ele-
ment being opposed to Parker, and, in
many instances, the followers of the
Nebraska statesman declare that they
will not vote the democratic ticket this
fall.
Lee Republicans Active.
The republicans of Lee county are
conducting a very aggressive cam,
paign. G. A. Kennedy, of Montrose,
county chairman, gave especially good
reports of that county. They are ar.
ranging for big rally at Keokuk with
| Colonel Hepburn and other distin.
guished speakers. ]. H. Trewin is
wanted to speak at several points in
| the district
Hedge Laughs At Opposition.
| Congressman Hedge was disposed to
laugh at the claims made by some OF
the democrats and said that from all
reports which he could get, the dis
trict was in better shape than ever and
he had no fears that there would he
any Sluulp Ill LIZ lCpuUllCuu VOIc. VII
the contrary, he said all the workers
in the different counties assured him
that the republican vote in the district
would be larger than ever and there
| would be smaller per cent of stay
at home voters than usual. Certainly
| if the enthusiasm manifested at the
meeting is any criterion, the first dis
trict is in first-class condition.
In the Second District.
The meeting at Davenport, which
was held in the afternoon, was well at
| tended and one important thing de
veloped was that each county chair
man had his county well in hand
knew just what was needed in the line
Of speakers and literature and every
one was readysto pledge himself ant
his committee to their utmost efforts
for the success of the ticket.
| Mr.. Dawson. the republican candi
date for congress, is making careful
personal canvass of the district. He il
visiting every county, meeting the PEG
pie and giving them an opportunity tt
become acquainted with him, and hi
personality is so engaging that every
one he meets becomes his friend.
| The reports from the different coun
ties of the second district were Of on
tenor and that was earnest enthusiasts
tic work for the ticket.
F. 1t was called to mind that for ter
years past only one democrat has car
ried that district forNcongress and only
twice during that time has the distric
gone democratic on the head of the
state ticket Then, too, it was noticed
two years ago when Mr.. Wade was
elected the republican candidate fol
secretary of state carried the distric
by 1893 plurality and last year Govern
or Cummins had plurality in the dis
trict of 1.790.
General Vote Big.