Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-11
FIGHT SHY OF THE QUESTION
Iowa Legislators Hold OFF Expectantly on
the Resubmission Resolution.
NEITHER SIDE EAGER TO START TROUBLE
Liberals Believe They Can Defeat
the Move and Materially Amend
the Mulct LAW. but the Pro-
hibs Are CONFIDENT.

DES MONIES. Feb. CSpecialO-It is
now very uncertain just when the fight
will open between the contending forces
on the question Of resubmisson, which will
be coupled with attempts to modify the
mulct law. Neither side appears to be ready
and both are fearful of the result.
The liberal element hopes to be able not
only to defeat resubmission, but TO pass an
act authorizing the manufacture of spirit
uous, malt and vinous liquors for legal pur-
poses and also repeal the "65 per cent clause"
of the muct law The repeal of this provi-
sion would egalze the saloon business in
all but some twenty counties of the state
and will be fought bitterly in both houses.
To compass the defeat of these measures
and bring about the resubmisSon of a pro-
hibitory amendment to be voted on in June,
1897, at a special election. is the object of
the element led by Mr.. Funk in the house
and by Eaton, kilburn and Phelps in the
senate. 1t Is conceded on all SIDES that
when these matters are once taken up an
acrimonious and protracted debate Is almost
sure to follow, which will greatly interfere
with the ordinary business of the session.
There is little hope of reaching any con-
once launches into discussion of these mat
ters and very little general legislation is
likely to receive much attention when the
contest Is over Both sides appear to be
equally confident that delay will strengthen
their chances of success. The liberals want
time to impress upon the doubtful members
the great danger of embarrassing or hamper
ing Senator Allison in his race for the presi-
dental nomination by unwise or radical legis-
lation, while the prohibitionists are chucklng
over the effect that number of religious re-
vivals now going on in the balliwicks of un
certain members, may have upon their final
action. The expectation is that in the height
of the excitement thus created strong peti
tions numerously signed may be gotten up
in the interest Of resubmiss!on Should DR..
McClelland of Cedar Rapids, who has gone
home suffering from extreme debility
superinduced by old age, fail to recover, re-
submission would lose one vote in the house
and If new election becomes necessary II
is hardly probable that Linn county would
send back another resubmissionist in his place
as the county has lately been democratic on
this issue.
The house session today was mainly con-
sumed in reading long petitions from Grand
Army posts protesting against the action
of the monument commission in reference
to the soldiers monument Leon post No.
PSI, Decatur county, sent in a protest
couched in the most vigorous language ac-
cusing the commission of gross personal fa-
voritism and partaity and demanding leg
slative action to prevent the commission
from carrying out it's designs.
TO REGULATE EXPRESS COMPANIES.
The Stock Breeders assoclation sent in
long petition which was read in full,
calling attention to the. fact that express
companies doing business In this state have
established most oppressive rules and regu-
lations governing the shipment Of live stock
and asking that the Board or Railroad Com
misslonere be empowered to adopt a sched-
ule of rates and provide such regulations
as will protect the stock shippers from
further annoyance and 'extortion. A bill fer
the regulation and control of express COM
panes Is now being prepared and will be
introduced in a few days by Mr.. Finch.
Van Houten today presented bill to
prevent the manufacture and sale of adul-
terated food and drugs. The bill provides
for the adoption of rules by the Board of
Public Health, to be enforced by the dairy
commission. Severe penalties are provided
for adulterations-for first offense, $25 to
$780, and for subsequent offenses the mini
NUN penalty is 800 and maximum $500
Mixed foods, not deleterous to health, may
be sold, provided they are properly labeled
The provisions of the bill are intended to
guard against frauds in selling medicines
and foods. The bill has the approval of
the secretary of the Board of Health, and
Is understood to be approved by the board
Mr.. Mayne introduced a bill for the gov
ernment and regulation Of building and loan
associations.
Owing to the slim attendance, nothing but
legaizng acts were taken up for passage.
Bills were passed legalizing the Incorporation
of the town of Gray, in Auburn county, and
the town of Iona in Chickasaw.
The house had some fun over a bill to
prevent and punish fraud in the manufacture
of buckwheat -four and sugar-tree molasses,
which was introduced by Mr.. Crow, which
finally ended in the indefinite postponement
Of the bill.
The house passed a bill appropriating
$4,000 for portraits of ex-Governors Gear
Larrabee, Boies, Sherman and Jackson, for
use in the governors rooms.
LITTLE WORK IN THE SENATE.
The senate held very short session, with
many seats vacant. A large number of pc
titons were presented in favor of removing
the Bonaparte dam for the regulation of
express companies, "age of consent" and in
s1rance legislation. The Grand Army post
at Charlton sent up strong renfonstrance
against placing any portraits or medallions
on the soldiers monument, which was read
In full.
The Blanchard bill, requiring the inspec-
ton of the oil used in the coal mines by the
State Board of Inspectors. was passed.
BILLS introduced in the senate were: By
Pusey providing for organization and regu-
lat!on of building and loan association; by
Sargeant providing for regulation and con-
troll of electric street railways by the Board
of Railroad Commissioners; by Waterman,
to punish the unlawful braking or entering
of express cars.
The Harper bill, authorizing the sale of
unclaimed goods by common carriers within
three months was reconsidered and passed.
The woman suffrage amendment comes
up in senate committee tomorrow.
Bucket Shop Branch Offices Closed.
JEFFERSON, Ia, Feb. 1O.-(SpecialD-C
C. Wall & Co., bucket shop operators in
Chicago, who have been receiving business
over their own leased wires at Nevada,
Ames, Boone, Jefferson, Carroll Dension
and Missouri Valley, for nearly year, have
withdrawn from this line and taken out
their instruments. Up to last fall they did
fine business, the operator in this city
cleaning up nearly $4,000 on commissions
but the downward tendency Of the markets
finally had a tendency to- drive the "coun-
tryman" from the board, and there was not
enough to warrant the telegraph tolls. The
Jefferson shop is stir running, but quota