Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-11-02
.COSSON SPEAKS
. T0LARCE CROWD
Attorney General Of Iowa
Makes Address at Mems
Mass Meeting
ATTENDANCE OF 800
THRONGS EDIFICE
Urges Law Enforcement and
Courage in Officials;
Joins Brotherhood

Attorney General George Cosson,
spoke to 800 men at the Davis Street
Christian church, Sunday afternoon
on. "Our Country, The meeting was a
success in every way and Mr.. Cosson
handled his subject in such way that
it was delight to the large audience
that gathered to hear him. The Y. M.
{. A. orchestra and male chorus
composed of fifty members of the
Workingmen's Triangle brotherhood,
gave several selections and L. Il. Put
mar and Charles Mathews, sang q
duet. The meeting was opened by Rev.
D. e. Smith, who began the services
with prayer. Rev G. D. Rhoades,
closed the meeting with short
prayer.
Starting from the early day OF this
country, Mr.. Cosson described the
progress made through the ages, the
workings of different manners or bus
mess and the success reached In each
and then graphically described why
this state Of affairs should not only
be preserved but advanced. The SUP.
ject of his speech, "Our Country,
was selected by Mr.. Cosson, on ac-
count of the present war in Europe.
Mr.. Sosson, showed how the day OF
destructive competition has dWlndled
and has given way to cooperation. lie
described in detail how the inventions
that have placed in the hands OF the
| warning nations power to carry on
war, were made by Americans.
Given Little Protection.
Human life" said Mr.. Cosson, "gets
! less protection in the United States
than any place in the world when
speaking Of crime. Mr.. Cosson pointed
| how the use Of liqour combined with
crime was a great detriment to the
country. "You could gravel all the
roads in Iowa, if those who would use
lioour would taper off from the stuff
| in period of three years. When we
are supposed to have reached hlgh
sta,e of civilization we find that 800
people have been lynched, OF which
seyenty-six were women. Continuing
along his description Of crime. Mr..
cosson pointed out the great divorce
evil saving, "We have more divorces
in this country than any other pace ~
the world" He cited many different
| cases where lives had been ruined NY
divorce. >,
"While crime is running at large,
saiG he 1--WE find that only four out OF
eyery one hundred Offenders are
brought to justice in our country,
while in the European countries tne
lowest number of criminals prosecuted
is eleven times more than we nave IN
| American. The people don't ENFORCE
laws or do not respect the laws, but
ali the time they want new laws II IS
not the law but the enforcement OF the
law that brings effect
The present Jail system was scored
h., Mr. Cosson. who added that he was
IN favor of a custodial farm where the
offanders would be made self support
! inu and help their families wno
waited for them to be released from
custody.
"What we also need is courage IN
orr nublic officials" said the speaker,
"There are three kinds of public Of
f,cials one type who gains his popular
,tv hv carrying on secret deals. an
ofher who believes if he stands by the
! naonle they will stand by him and an
pther who wants to do his work so
wall that it will be commendable for
aim" -
.nnaa1inp TO those assembled to re-
nect mankind and cited the present
war where nearly eight million men
nave already been slain. ihese men
are m not angry at each other but are
answering to the flimsy whims OF sew
eral kinds" he said.
| In the evening Mr.. Cosson spoke 70
a mixed audience on, international
poace" and a large gathering was
present. He also met Win tne blo.nsi
4 pood at IFS meeting in the morning
and smoke for short time. He was SO
thoronghly tho impressed with the local
church % organization that he Joined the
triangle brotherhood before leaving
The city and commended the mems
chorus as the best he had ever seen
| :. .o,rd IN all Of Iowa, a