Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-10
MUST REDISTRICT IOWA
Some Labor Before the Present Legislature
of that State.
SOME COUNTIES WILL LOSE BY The DEAL
Provisions of the Constitution Rcint-
Ing to This Are Difficult
to Comply with in Every
Detail.

DES MONIES, Feb. 9.-(Special)-O OF
the important duties that will devolve upon
the legislature 10 the redistricting of the
state into senatorial and representative dis
tricts, according to the recent census. The
constitution requires that ratio shall be
established which will allow each district one
member of the lower house for population
equal to the ratio or fraction over one-half
limits the number to 100, and prohibits the
division Of county.
To fully observe these provisions of the
constitution is often a most perplexne
problem and in few instances in the past
there is a question whether the courts would
have sustained the action of the legislature
had the issue been raised. The house COM
mittee, which has this matter in charge, has
been quietly at work for some days en-
deavoring to fix the proper ratio. The last
time the state was redIstricted the ratio was
liked at 22,40O, and the growth in population
VIII compel an increase of something like
1000.
SOME OF THE NEW LINES.
In the new adjustment Polk county with
It's I2,OOO population, would be entitled to
three members, were 1t not for the limita-
tion by the constitution to two members.
Whatever ratio may finally be established
the committee feels reasonably certain that
several changes will have to be made.
Monona county, which is now Joined with Ida,
with over 10000 population, will be entitled
to representative. Wright, now united
with Hancock, will also get member, ana
Hancock Joined either with Humboldt, on
the south, or Winnebago on the north.
Pocahontas, now Joined with Humboldt, hav-
ing 12,4i2 population, will probably get a
member, and Lyon, now in the same district
with Sioux county, will likely be put with
Osceoa which will leave Dickinson and
Emmett alone in one district. This will leave
four counties, Clarke population 11,515) Ida
Q1,425), Humboldt III ,42D, and Clay d1 ,277),
neither of which will have population
equal to one-half the ratio and so far iso-
lated from each other that no two of them
can be Joined. Omitting these counties
ninety-nine members have been provided
for and strong effort will be made to give
the additional representative to some of the
counties in the northwestern part of the
state and take away the representation from
Clarke, whose population is nearly stationary
and which would lose it in the course of
time at any rate.
SOME NEW BILLS
Senator Junkin has introduced the follow
ing important bills: Providing that in all
cases for damages resulting from injuries
attributable to the negligence Of defendant
in such action, the burden of establishing
contributory negligence Of such injured per-
son shall be upon said defendant which re-
verses the present rule of law on this point:
in any action against any telegraph company
for damages, caused by erroneous trans.
mission Of telegram or by unreasonable de-
lay in delivery, negligence on the part of
said telegraph company, shall be presumed
upon proof OF erroneous transmission or
delay in delivery, and the burden of proof
that such fault was not due to negligence
shall rest upon the company.
Senator Junkn has likewise introduced
lirrr t1,t ,tr,1
of husband or wife in suits brought against
persons or corporations for damages to
plaintiff in such action resulting in injuries
to wife, husband or minor child of plaintiff, |
shall not constitute defense of such action.
AS TO THE MULCT LAW
Senator Garst has introduced bill to |
repeal the 65 per cent clause in the mulct |
law and substitute the words "a majority" |
thereby authorizing the establishing of |
saloons, by petition bearing the signatures
Of one-half Of the legal voters of any county. |
The senate committee on insurance has |
recommended for passage the Blanchard |
bill, prohibiting boards Of rating and other
between insurance companies.
Senator Phelps has introduced a bill to
adopt the Meyers voting machine, now in
lse in New York elections.
The senate had under discussion Friday
oill by Harper, reducing the time common
carriers are required to hold unclaimed |
goods from SIX to three months. Senator
rrewin objected to the words, including
charges for car service" which are not IL
he original statute. Senator Harper claimel
hat such charges are now collected, and the
passage of such a law would make no differ
,nce with the present method of doing bus
ness On final roll call the bill was lost, re-
eivng one vote less than constitutional
majority.
The "age of consent" bill has been made
special order for next Wednesday.
REGULATING THE MUTUALS.
The house took up and passer the Allen
ill providing for the government and regula-
ion CT mutual beneficiary associations. This
5 the bill prepared by the recent fraternal
ongress, 10 exempt such association from the
rovs!ons Of the insurance laws. Only two
light amendments were made to the bill. |
n section and second line, the word "in-
urance' was inserted, which then read that
no insurance law hereafter passed shall ap-
ly to them unless such associations are
pecially named therein" In section 10, line
the words "by trustee garnishee" were
trlcken out. The senate Is preparing to make
ONE material amendments when the bill
caches that body
Among the bills introduced in the house
aturday was one by Funk to regulate build
,g and loan associations, and by Ray, ex-
ending the time proof of loss is required
be- furnished insurance companies from |
xty days TO six months Mr.. Hanger also
resented bill fer the taxation of negotiable
aper
The house also passed bill authorizing
wnships TO levy 2 mill tax for a public s
all.
IN THE SENATE.
Among the bills introduced into the senate l
iturday was one by Mr.. Hospers providing
at no lease, sale Of incumbrance of personal c
'operty that may be held exempt from ex- c
ution by the head of family, shall be of '
~ validity unless beth husband and wife Z
lall join in signing the same. The senate
Issed a joint resolution, which, II agreed \
by the house, will shut off the introduction I
all new bills, except appropriations, arter 1
ebruary 20. a
The senate committee on ways and means a
vor the Funk bill, taxing express companies a
per cent on gross earnings, and will SO
port K
The house committee on public health will r
lely amend the anti-cigarette bill materially a
lie cigarette will probably be defined" and :
lolesale dealers be allowed to sell in