Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1896-01-23
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP
NEWSY LETTER FROM JULIAN RICH
ARDS, OUR CORRESPONDENT.

Two Strong state Papers-Inauguration OF
Governor Drake--Senator Allisen's IMAM
imous decentralization Nomi-
nate Babb.
DIES MONIES, Jan. 20. -[Speciall-The
past week in Legislative circles has seen
the presentation of two Of the strongest
state papers received by any Iowa legis-
lature in years. refer to the biennial
message of Governor Jackson and the
inaugural address of Governor Drake.
The former was presented to both houses
of the assembly ON Tuesday and it GER
tainly deserves more than passing men
ton. After quoting the statistics of the
various state institutions, the governor
calls attention to the fact that the de-
mands upon these institutions are FAR
greater than their capacities. The SOL
diers' home, the institution for the fee
BILE minded and other like institutions
are cited and he brings home the fact to
our people that other states have been
placed in similar situation and have
proven equal to the responsibility. Our
own people, he says, are just as philan-
throphic as are the citizens of any other
state and they should not shirk the re-
sponsibility which, in his opinion, can
only be met by "a broader, more liberal
and more just policy on behalf Of the
state" In comparison he cites the per
capita expense of state government, in
Guiding the support of state institutions,
in several of the eastern states and in
Iowa. The figures are instructive and
are here given: In New York the per
capita expense is $2.06, in Pennsylvania
$l.06, in Ohio $104, in Michigan $1.08,
in Minnesota $1S7 and in Iowa only
SO cents. The governor adds that sit
is not reasonable to expect that Iowa
can continue long to keep pace with her
sister states on this showing made"
Suggests a Remedy.
To remedy matters he says that he
does not favor increasing the burden of
taxation on any property that is at pres
ent paying its just share, but he adj
vises that the millions of dollars Of prop
erty that evade the assessor annually be
required to pay its proportion of the
taxes, and in this line he says that there
is no good reason. why our revenues
might not be increased by taxing fran
chises, writs and express companies and
by levying upon collateral inheritances
The state of Pennsylvania, which in
1893 collected $S6S,S32 i'll taxes upon
collateral inheritances, is cited. Turn
ing from this subject to our educational
institutions, he urges that the univers-
ity be given more generous endOw-
ment, and he says that this would be
good policy from BUSINESS tandpoint,
as at present more than 81 900, 900 are
contributed annually by Iowa boys and
girls to institutions of learning in other
states, and this money might be kept at
home if the policy of the state was such
as would build up our university by the
bestowal of a strong endowment. The
other state educational institutions are
commended to the favorable attention
of the legislature. In regard to the
public schools, it is urged that steps be
taken for the better qualification of
teachers, and the adoption Of the free
text book system is endorsed, on the
ground that it would have a tendency
to largely increase the attendance upon
these schools
Recommends n State ReformGtory.
In regard to the state penal system the
message states that reports which the
governor has obtained from the differ
ent counties show that 10000 people are
committed to city and county jails every
year. 1t recommends inspection of the
jails and strongly urges the establish
ment of a state reformatory for first
offenders between the ages of Is and %
whose sentences do not exceed two
years. The establishment of a board of
Parole and Pardons" is also urged.
The report of the state treasurer is
quoted from, showing the total receipts
during the fiscal year ending June 30,
1895, to be 50, 937, 1882 80 and the state
auditors warrants redeemed, 1854,
379 80, leaving balance ON hand at
that time of $312, 854.41.
In regard to the workings of the
mulct law, the message states that dur
ing the year ending June 30, 1895, the
loss of government permits to sell
liquors in the state as compared with
the previous year under prohibition was
1,768. The number of saloons taxed
under the mulct law during the year
was 1890, and the total revenue de-
rived therefrom amounted to 81 , 1876, BIT.
Inauguration of Drake.
The inauguration of Governor Drake,
which occurred on Thursday, passed off
very satisfactory. There was an i'm
mense crowd. The inaugural was a
strong and businesslike document. II
dealt with the topics of the day in a
manner that showed great study and
comprehension. All the state institu-
lions received careful attention and es-
pecially the educational institutions.
One expression was the keynote to this
part of the address: "Iowa must edu-
cate; all America must educate or per.
ish." The address Endorsed the project
of the erection of a memorial hall and
also the placing of bronze statues of the
late Judge Samuel F. Miller in the state
and national capitols. Good highways
and the development of the waterways
were commended, and on the subject OF
railways the gist of the reference to
them may be summed up in the follow
Ing extract: 1.-THE nearer the railroads
4 II IL