The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-03-08
IOWA LEGISLATURE.

IOWA LEGISLATURE.
SEHATE-Thc bill establishing a law library
In rooms apart from the literary and his.os ca!
library was defeated on the 24th Biis were
passed comforting enlarged power upon the
State Board Of Health. and author ne the
Governors Guards TO bu III an arInory on
grounds belong ng TO the State near the
arsenal. The Committee Corporations de-
cidcd to recommend that the bills in regard to
regulating charges for transmission OF mes
sages by telegraph be indefinitely postponed.
The Railway Committee decided TO amend The
Railway Control bill 50 rs TO admit OF free
transportation OF railway employees and their
families and persons in charge OF live stock.
This is in harmony with the amendment
adopted bv the House
HoCsE-The Railroad bill was under consid-
GRAFTON during the entire sess without reach
ing vote. A great number and variety OF
amendments were presented, discussed and
voted down.
SESATE-A bill was introduced on the 25th
relating to the registration of voters in cities
OF 3, 100 or less, providing one board of registers
in such cities. The bill prov ding for the Sc.
crecy Of the ballot and preventing undue in
fiuencc within one hundred feet Of the rolis,
was read second time. 1t makes II . misdc-
meanor to show or display ballot within one
hundred feet OF the polls or to solicit any vote
thin same distance. The Committee on
schools recommended State uniformity OF text
books, the matter to be decided by vote, those
districts voting against uniformity being not
compelled to adopt such uniformity.
HoUsE-The bill to regulate railroad trafflc
in Iowa, which has been under discussion since
the 2Ist, was passed by o unan .mous vote. II
does not trench upon the question OF how Rail.
road Commissioners shall be selected. II in
panies In its operations, ordains just charges,
prohibits pooling and determinations in every
form, and requires the public posting OF sched.
ules. Claimants for damages may appeal to
the commissioners to bring suit in any district
court OF this State. Violations OF the provisions
Of the bill subject tie guilty company to dne
not exceeding $5,OOO nor less than $50 for each
offense. The Commissioners powers OF inves-
tgation are broadly defined. They are also em.
powered to make maximum rates for freight.
SENATE-A bill was reported favorably on
the 27th from the Committee on Suffrage con-
felring the right OF suffrage Of women In mu-
nicipal elections The House concurrent reso-
luton that the appropriations shall not exceed
the estimated revenues OF the State for the
biennial period, less the outs landing warrants,
was adopted. The bill giving county super.
visors authority TO appoint clerks Of grand
juries was passed, and the bills providing for
the greater safety O passengers on board OF
sail-boats and steamers plying on inland waters
Of the State, and authorizing the Ra lroad Com
missoners TO change names OF railway stations,
in certain cases, TO correspond to the names OF
the towns, were ordered cngrossed.
HoUsE-A large portion OF the day was spent
in passing bills Of q local nature. A resolution
was adopted memorial zing Congress in favor
OF the bill granting pens ons TO the survivors OF
the Iowa Thiriy-seventh Volunteers. known as
the Graybeard Regiment. There are less than
one hundred OF that regiment now living. Mr..
Hotchkiss offered q resolution, which went over
under the rules, to adjourn sine die March q.
SENATE--On the 2Sth the bill defining and
enlarging the powers OF superior courts was
passed. II confers concurrent jurisd .ction
with district courts in all civil and criminal
cases, except probate and divorce cases, and
exclusive jurisdict on in trials for violation OF
city ordinances. The Catch bill prov ding for
renewal bond to be issued to extend the time
OF payment for ten years Of 81 2,30s due the
school fund. was ordered engrossed.
HOusE-The concurrent resolution providing
for adjournment sine dls March - was laid on
the table subject to cali. The Committee on
Labor recommended the passage OF q bill CIV.
ing . sub-contraetor lien On any bu ldtng for
thirty days after the date OF furnishing the last
material or labor. W .thout requiring II m to nle
statement or give notice. Also bill making
the Commiss oner OF Labor Statistics an elect.
i've officer. Tie Committee on Railroads pre-
scnted revised IN iximum schedule OF freight
rates. Tbs prov des for . radical reduction Of
merchandise rates in the flfth class from the
rates first proposed. A bill was introduced to
facilitate the abatement OF nu sances by IN
junction proceedings. 1t provides that liquor
prosecutions Of that character shall be gwen
precedence on the calendars OF disir CT courts.
A bill was passed author ziny supervisors OF
counties OF twenty thousand population or less
to levy . six-mill tax for couaty purposes
.s
four m lis. The bill regulating the tolls at
custom mills-steam-miils. one seventh. AID
water-mills, onc-eighth. for grinding and bolt
ing. was passed. The Railroad bill No. 3.3 was
taken up on third reading and passed by . vote
OF So yeas and no nays. twe.ve not voting.
SENATE-A large number OF petitions and
memorials were presented on the 9Th bill
was introduced 10 extend the privileges OF
high schools 10 pupils from rural districts
under certain conditions.
HOUSE-A bill was introduced to appropriate
money to assist the defendants in drive-well
suits. The Railroad Fencing bill passed by
vote or ayes 81. noes 9. The vote by which the
Russell Usury bill was lost on engrossment
was reconsidered and the bill placed back on
the calendar. A resolution that the Attorney.
General be required to give an opinion on the
consttutionality Of the bill comforting on
women the right to vote At municipal eiec-
tions" as soon as practicable, and that consid-
GRAFTON OF the bill be deferred until such opinion
was given, was adopted.
SENATE-Thc sess' on on the Is: was occu.
pied in discussing the railway bill. The prince
pal controversy was over the phraseolbgy Of
section 3, which makes II unlawful for any com.
mon carrier Ito make or give any preference
or advantage to any person. firm or locality"
Senator Woolson offered substitute intro
ducing the words "undu or unreasonable " be-
fore the phrase preference or advantage"
which Was strongly opposed by several Sena-
tors.
HOuSE-Twenty-two members, chosen from
the several vocat ons and interests represented
in the House, were added to the railroad com
mittee Of seventeen for the purpose OF consd.
ering the equities OF the new scale OF max.
imUm rates.