Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-04-13

DIES MONIES, April 10, 1900.

II LIES VlOlNEos bPi'A 49, AoOo' ~
One of the results of the work of the
legislature which has just adjourned
is to be at least an effort to pass, in
the next session, code of scientific
municipal laws. In it's last hours the
assembly passed a bill to provide for
commission of three senators and three
representatives to undertake this task
and to report to the next session a bill
.embodying the views of the commits
sioners. Under this act the following
commission was named, the presiding
officer Of each house naming the mem
bers of his own body: Senators Ire
win, Healy, McIntire and Representa-
Durham, Theophilus, Wilson of Wash
ington. OF the six, only two represent
cities of the first class. These are Nc
Intire of Ottumwa and Theophilus OF
Davenport, both of whom are demo-
Gratis.
One of the tasks imposed upon the
board of control by the general ASSEM-
bly, is the closing down of the Indus
trial Home for the Blind at Knoxville.
The bill passed by the legislature for
UUG VI AASLAo4oAOAs
provides it shall be done as soon as
practicable. The board will take hold
of the matter without delay, and by
May expects to close the school and
send the inmates to their homes. The
effect of the measure will be to put the
blind back upon the counties from
which they We're sent, but in view OF
the fact the institution has not been a
financial success, the only feasible
course seemed to be to abandon it.
The board so recommended, and the
assembly followed the recommends.
ton. The property will not be allow.
ed to run down. as the board is en-
powered to appoint a custodian of the
buildings and grounds.
Considera BILE delay was also eXper,
fenced over the passage of the stipu'
lated premium insurance bill which
went to conference committee and
was finally agreed to by both houses.
1t allows assessment life insurance
associations to reorganize on the old
line plan on a per cent basis, grant
ing them seven years to establish re-
serve rs required by law. 1t affects
eight Iowa companies and $4,000, 900
of insurance.
Adjournment of the Legislature was
delayed Friday by a fight in the sem
ate over joint resolution fixing the
salaries of public employees. 1t was
brought in late in the morning. The
resolution increases many salaries
that were severely cut two years ago,
and allows quite number of extra
clerks to state officers. The aggre-
gate increase is about $4,000. 1t was
the work of the statutory committee,
including Senators Junkin. Cheshire
and Garst, and Representatives Eaton.
Temple and Bows.
The state board of control is already
arranging to put into effect the pro-
visions of the new law, which gives it
sane asylums of the state. The MEM
on the subject, have adopted a plan for
determining exactly what new respon'
slbilities are involved under the new
law. Secretary Wilkinson has been
instructed to communicate. with all the
county clerks Of the state and ascer-
tain what counties have insane in their
keeping, and whether they are kept in
state. county or private asylums. If
county or private asylums are main
tanned, the clerk will be expected to
furnish information as to the number
of inmates, the location of the institu-
ton. etc. AS soon as this information
is collected the board will make tour
of inspection, and investigate the con-
dition of all the institutions. There
are few counties in the state which
have no insane. There are about
twenty-five county asy:ums in the
state, however. and as soon as possible
all of these will be visited.
The state auditors office issued and