Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-06
mission for Colonel Irish and told him
to fasten upon the trail of the orator
from the Platte.

mission for Colonel Irish and told him
to fasten upon the trail of the orator
from the Platte.
A Foil to Bryan.
Mr.. Bryan completed his tour in a
blaze ofSglory, followed few days lat
er byeCol. Irish. The former Iowan
pnssessed kind Of speech that was
fatal to the peculiar style of argument
advanced by Mr.. Bryan and when
Colonel Irish had completed his en-
gagement the pulses of the people Of
the northwest were beating at nor
NAL pace and there were no evidences
of serious conflagration or of political
wreckage incidentally Col. Irish had
acquired firm friend in Mr. Hanna.
After the election, preparations
were made for shaking the plum tree.
It was large tree, filled with juicy
fruit, and among other choice offer
ings was a particularly appetizing and
succulent plum labeled naval officer
for the port of San Francisco" This
position carries with 1t minimum
amount Of work, a fat salary and a
vast opportunity, to shine In q high
grade of society,"
OF course Chairman Hanna was con-
suited to some extent in the matter OF
the distribution of the plums and when
this piece of fruit at San Francisco
was examined by the hungry republi-
cans it was found that President Nc
Kinley had tagged 1t: reserved for
Col. John P Irish" Nobody said a
word in opposition. 1t was admitted
Colonel Irish ought to have it. He is
still naval officer at San Francisco.
This is not saying that he has been
in peaceful possession Of the port
these nearly nine years. Oh, no. At the
close of the first term Of four years
others; republicans; began to look
with envious eyes at the plum Col.
Irish had Toasted upon for these years.
They were very hungry and the plum
looked good but the colonel indicated
no disposition to yield
Three years ago the Cali.
fornia delegation got busy and
went after that job. Colonel
been amply paid for his work, it was
time to pass the fruit along. Congress
man Woods Of California, was defeated
for election in 1909, the next March
he would be succeeded in the house
by democrat, he must be provided
for, the Office of naval officer was just
the thing. Thereupon the two Cali
fornia senators and the representa-
tives camped on President Roosevelts
doorstep until he finally agreed to ap
point Mr.. Woods.
/, How He Held His Job.
Col Irish came to Washington when
the campaign to GUST him became ser
ious, but so far as could be observed
he was not very active. Neither did
he appear to be worrying. He did not
worry, even when it came to him, cold
that Woods would be appointed. He
just waited and the day before the
nomination was to have been sent in
called on the President. At the con
there was something doing. The Call
fornia senator's were asked to report
at the White House at once. Innocent
of the purport of the summons they
went AS they entered the Presidents
Office he met them with bunch OF
newspaper clippings in which it was
shown that Congressman Woods, dur
ing his camaign had openly attacked
the President for his position on the
Porto Rican tariff matter. The Cali
fornia senators were dumbfounded
they knew nothing of this, they must
ask for time to consult Mr. Woods
They did see Mr.. Woods and he saw
the President and tried to explain his
speeches and to make it appear that