The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-01-26
Des Moines Letter.

Des Moines Letter.
/ The represent ..tives sent by Denison
TO Des Moines have been on the ground
| for the past two days. and it is not un-
reasonable 10 say that every man re-
ceived different impression in regard
to normal schools. 1t is certainly a
fact that the feeling exists that more
normals are necessary. There is, how
ever, an element in the legislaturecon
sentative, almost to the point of penur-
iousness, and which is against any in
novations. There is also sentiment,
not without some substance of truth,
that Iowa should give better support to
her existing institutions before branch.
ing out in other directions. Neverthe.
less the fact is SO apparent that addi-
tional normal facilities are needed that
we believe the bill will pass the legisla.
tu1e. 1t is almost laughable to analyze
the claims of some of the cities that are
applicants for the location; little cross
road towns, situated on branch railway
lines, with nothing better than forty
acres of good pasture to offer, are press
ing their claims. We do not mean to
say that Denison is the only point pre-.
Senting valid CLAIMS for consideration.
There are many other cities admirably
located and deserving. We have yet
failed to find legislator, however. ex-
cept those who wish the location for
some town in their own county, who
did not recognize the claims of Deni-
son. For the past ten years it has
been apparent that additional normal
facilities were necessary, especially for
western Iowa. Yet the city of Denison
was the only one which, without aid
from public taxation, put its hand in its
pocket and endeavored to supply the
want. 1t now seems that it will be an
injustice not to recognize the claims
of our city when the state is about to
do its duty in the line of normal
schools Almost any town would be
glad to donate forty acres of ground,
costing at the most 5000 an acre, if
the state would guarantee to erect
100000 worth of buildings. Denison
did not wait until there was something
in sight from the state. 1t went ahead
on its own motion and like the valuable
servant did not bury it's talents in the
ground, but put its shoulder to the
wheel and did the best it could to sup
ply an evident want. The argument
also that the location of a state instita
Etion within fifty fmilesof ;Denison would
inevitably result sm;she bfactical contis
ication of the amountsalteady !,nyested
i'm BenisonsC oAegesisiproving'a strong
dhe!. There can betno doubt that the
members Of the,alegislatures viii give
these matters proper consideration
We hear many intimations that the
whole question will be settled by poll
tical chicanery, that the advantages o
disadvantages of the town will have n,
weight in comparison with politica
barter and sale. With the very par
" donable exceptions of those who ar
a. advocating their own towns, however, w
a. find spirit of utmost fairness anon,
I'd the members, and we believe that al
if that is necessary is FOR Denisop to max
II its fbffsr Perfectly Clear to the, member
le in order to receive their due considera
n ton. We do not mean by this tina
8. simply pamphlet statement of fact
IS will secure the location, but tive adj
IS mean that the town which relies who'll,
81 on politics and none at all on real ad
II vantages will find itself left in the con
10 test.
: The legislature has already show
y that it is to be a business session. Nor
: bills have passed at this earlv date thai
:. any session of which we remember
- The majority of the members are wide
. awake, good business men, who hav
= other things to do besides attending t
:, law making, and they are as anxious t
=. be through with their work as any on
= can be to have them. Among tn
- - measures of Importance likely to pas
:. is the constitutional amendment intro
:. duced by Senator Titus of Muscatine
5" The amendment provides for biennia
. elections. and as one result of it's pass
7 age and approval by the people, Cover
:. nor Shaw's term would be lengthene
- one year. The object of the measure j
g to reduce the great expense to whic
- the state is now put every year, and t
avoid the disturbance of business con
~ ditions, the arousing of party enmities
;, and consequent train of evils as muc
" as possible. Although the REVIEW j
a political organ supporting the tenent
of the republican party we would b
glad if we could be relieved from tn
A. everlasting consideration and have a