Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-23
WEAVER Gets
700 RECRUITS
OLD WAR HORSE LEADS ON
SLAUGHT AGAINST
SALOONS.
APPEALS TO MANHOOD
Says Saloon Men Would Use Wrecks
They've Made as Source of Reeve
nue. to Run City-"They Set
Traps and Catch Men,"

Here's the proposition you
people have here In Ottumwa. You
had forty saloons here. Each one
of those saloons must pay each
year, before commencing business,
$500 to the state and 5000 to the
city. Why pays that 100000? The
poor, bear-eyed men. Who has to
suffer for it? Their hungry babes
and starving wives. That isn't all.
When the men begin to drink, the
producing capacity Of every fire.
quenter of the bar is impaired.
Nor is that all; their earning ca
pacty is not only impaired but
the impulses Of the prodigaI and
spendthrift have been stimulated;
the saving powers are ruined also.
There he is-a poor man with
his candle lighted at both ends.
Now what do the men back of this
damnable saloon business propose
to do at this election? They pro-
pose to set up these poor nniser-
able Wretches, mere wrecks, as
the source of revenue to keep the
city going. Was there ever prop
ostion SO deviIish as that so
inconsistent and unbusnesslike?
Somebody's got to pay this
money. Let me ask a question. is
there man listening to me today
with the impulses of good father,
good husband, good citizen or
friend of law and order, willing to
say that he will take on his soul
and heart the responsibility of
such move as that? If there is,
he's gone, ruined, world without
end"
With the light Of battle in his eyes
a strength and vigcr that has char
acterized his achievements in public
life for more than forty years, anC
with that winning earnestness which
has justly made him leader of men
General James B. Weaver conducted
an onslaught against the open tow
and it's accompanying evils yesterda!
before an audience of 700 men.
He confined his remarks almost en-
tirely to the saloon evil--and will
such purpose that at the end of his
address nearly every man in the audi
ence rose to his feet, asserting by thi
rising vote, that he would work ant
pray constantly between now and cleo
ton for the success of the ticket ia
voring an orderly city.
Hunting Opens Meeting.
The service was the regular Sunday
afternoon Y. M. c. A. mems meeting
but because of the greater seating
the meeting was held in the
church instead Of the association
building. Secretary w. f. Hunting
opened the meeting and conducted
the song service. The male chorus
sang two selections and after prayer
by Rev. Jonathan Lee. T. D. Foster
took charge of the service and intro
iuced General Weaver.
81 am glad we have the honor O.
having General Weaver with us this
afternoon for several reasons be
sides the fact that he is an eloquen
and interesting speaker" Mr.. Foster
that this is a party move
ment. It also gives the gentleman nov
talking to you the opportunity to mai
the rumor in circulation to the eff
feet that he is going to work on the
other side on election day In the
words of Lord Beaconsfield that re
port Is conspicuously inexact.'
Asked to Stay Away.
"Thirty-four years ago l was asked
to address a temperance meeting il
this CITY," General Weaver said il
opening. cat that time my politica
friends said, Don't go, James. it'll
cost you something if you do Well,
came and it did cost me something
I was requested not to come today
but I'm here, thank God
"Why am I here. Certainly not t
help the Republican party; certainl,
not to help the democratic party. T,
gain fame, distinction or honor? Nc
I'm too old to care for that. am here
gentleman, because I believe there i
a battle in Ottumwa between orde
and disorder I'm going to speak witt
no uncertain sound. No one can foo
me by putting tag on thing. Tn
llSi = W LII ooiliC lalu llehS. Lung dSo
I resolved never to make any NOR
public speeches unless I thought
could do some one some good and
don't care particle whether this tai
puts me up or down.
"Sets Trap; Catch Men,"
General Weaver used no texts as
basis for his address, but invited tn
hearers attention to two passages c
scriptures which he deemed appropr
ate to the occasion The one was
among my people are found wicke
men; they lay wait, as he that settet
snares; they set a trap, they cate
men. Jeremiah, V:26. The othe
scriptural passage was in Luke "
that part of the Word which deal
of the devil tempting Jesus.
IF that isn't a political temptation.
said the speaker, referring to tn
devil offering Jesus the power over tn
world If he would accept the devil a
his master. 81 don't know what i
Isn't it remarkable that away bac
there 1000 years ago you find Jesu
in the same condition that exists her
in Ottumwa today? Isn't some on
right here in Ottumwa now saying
You help me to get in Office and 70
can do anything you want to in O
tumwa?' The Savior turned dow
that offer over 1000 years ago and tn