Omaha daily bee., 1896-01-31
MUTUALS SEEN IN DANGER
Farmers Insurance Companies See a Menace
in the New Iowa Code.
ARE WelLANTlY WATCHING THEIR RIGHTS
Members of the Legislature Receiving
Many Petitions Favoring the
Retention of the Old pro-
vision on the Subject.

d well uenned lear on part or those in
terested in farmers mutual fire insurance
companies, Of which there are nearly $50 In
this state, that one Of the objects Of the
code revision is to embarrass and hamper
them in the prosecution Of their business.
Section 1 ,160 of the code of 1873, under which
they are all working, is extremely favorable
to insurance on the mutual plan, and the
constantly increasing prosperity of these COM
panies has always been a thorn In the side
of the old line companies. The practice of
making advance or contingent assessments, In
anticipation of a future loss, by which losses
are paid without waiting for the slow process
of collecting assessments, which is now quite
general, and which has greatly promoted the
business of these companies, is one of the
privileges that stock associations desire to
have taken away from the mutuals. Strong
petitions In favor OF allowing the law govern
ing mutual insurance to remain as 1t Is are
coming In from nearly every county in the
state, and farmers institutes everywhere are
taking action in the same lines.
The addition OF three members TO the house
m on appropriations has made a de-
clded change in the complexion Of that COM
mittee and will probably defeat all efforts
to Increase the rate of taxation. The COM
mittee now consists of twelty-three members,
nearly one-fourth of the entire membership
VI lue nUuSe, anu the ueClSlUH On u majority
of this committee will hardly be reversed.
Messrs. Spauding, Van Houten, Lambert,
Ray, Walters, Smith Of Green, st. John,
Neitert, Morrison Of Keokuk. Thompson, Will
liams and Morrison of Grundy, constituting a
clear majority of this important committee.
are all on record as opposed to reckless or
extravaganza appropriations, and may be said
to now have a firm hold on the purse strings
Of the state and will use the knife unspar-
ingly in pairing down the estimate that have
49, ---A - -. A. -.I - u IL. -.
institutions.
The State university will not likely risk its
special tax to the decision of this commit
tee. but will prefer to run chances with the
committee on ways and means. There win
be a strong effort made by this committee to
provide increased revenues by following the
lead of New York in the matter of a col
lateral inheritance tax, but all attempts at
securing further taxation Of express COM
panies, telephones, Pullman palace cars, rail-
road property, bank stock or money credits
will be met with the active and determined
opposition Of a powerful lobby, and Will
probably be unsuccessful. There is a general
feeling that real estate and ordinary personal
property Is now being taxed up to the high
water mark, and any increase in state rev.
enues from these sources can scarcely be
expected. AS the lawmakers are decidedly
squeamish about running the state In debt,
it is evident that the numerous projects in
volving increased expendituresrof public funds
VIII nave 10 De pOStpOHeu uItll tle REVENUES
shall have been increased from the sources
mentioned. 81
ROUTINE OF THE DAY.
The session of the senate today lasted but
a few minutes. The attention of the senators
is now absorbed in committee work. Among
the few bills introduced was one by Ellis, pro-
viding that flags should be erected over every
public school house in the state, and making
provision for the purchase and erection Of
flag poles in each county. "'.' 3
A joint caucus of both houses was held
today to nominate regents of the State uni
verslty and members of the boards of control
of the various state institutions.
Many of the bills introduced today in the
house were legalizing acts, or related to mat
ters of local interest. Among the more i'm
portant were the following:
BY Morrison of Notwithstanding all
railway trains to carry passengers.
BY Finch-Providing for the extermina-
ton of the Russian thistle.
ture and sale at wholesale of spirituous,
malt and vinous liquors.
,,b BY DawisnIo tp punish nnh,,I persons om furnishing
By Hunt.ey-To reimburse John l., Brown;
ex-auditor of state, for expenses incurred
in defending his right to his office against
isSs. accusation of ex-a0veF"0f sherman IN
BY Chapman-Prohibiting assignment of
claims for which fees are provided.
BY Notwithstanding all peddlerS TO pro-
cure license from county auditor.
McAchran introduced a resolution of in
quiry in regard to taxation of mortgages
owned by residents Of other states. Putnam
introduced another, prohibiting introduction
of bills after February Is. Both resolu-
lions will come up for consideration to-
morrow.
1.-The three days of grace in the payment
of promissory notes now allowed by the statute
and confirmed by long-established custom
seems to be the object of an attack from the
Bankers association and boards Of trade gen
orally, and a strong effort will be made to
repeal this provision Of the statute. The
Business Mems association Of Davenport
opened the ball today by sending a strongly
worded petition numerously signed asking
that the law be repealed.
Similar bodies In other cities OF the state
are expected to take the same action
The republicans have decided to hold a
caucus for the nomination of members OF the
several boards of control for state institu-
tions on February IL. The democratic
caucus has drafted a license bill to be In
troduced at an early day. Considerable diff
ference of opinion exists regarding the local
option feature, which some desire stricken
out. The minimum fee is fixed at $500,
with an upward sliding scale, based on
population.
Senator Kilburn has introduced a resolution
providing for the submission or woman SUI
frage to the vote OF the people.
sTANHOPE ROYsTER ON TRIAL.
d of Mcfarland mt Boone
Fighting for Life.
BOONE, Ia, Jan. 30.-(Special Telegram.)
In the district court this morning before
Judge Hindman, Stanhope Register was placed
on trial for his life for killing W. McFar-
land January 10. Nine O'Clock was the hour
set for the trial and at that time the court
room was packed. The prisoner was brought
in, accompanied by his wife and three chill
dren. Three Of his brothers We're present.
Much sympathy was apparent IN the assem-
blage for the prisoner and his family. His
wife seemed prematurely aged on account
Of the terrible suffering she has undergone
since the tragedy and the suicide of her
daughter occurred. The entire day was oc-
cupied in selecting a jury, which really
proved an easier task than was expected.
The regular panel Of twenty-eight was ex-
hausted and fifteen were taken from a spe-
cial ven!re Of 100 before twelve men were
agreed upon to try the case Only a few
~peremptory challenges were made by each
side. The attorneys will makeetheir open
ing statements to the court Tomorrow morn
ing and the taking Of THE E testimony will
follow at once. KIM
Municipal Association organized.
DES MONIES. Jan. 3~O.-(Special Tele-
g~ram,)-The Iowa Municipal association, COM
posed of city officials Of the leading cities
in the state, was formed here today. thirty
officials being present, when the bylaws