Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-03-27

is closed, with the exception of the pos
sibility of few minor changes in the
law. The opponents of the present
system have given up their attempt to
abolish the offices of state printer and
binder. The legislature in joint con-
vention last Thursday elected Bernard
Murphy, of Ninton, state printer, and
Howard J. Tedford, of Mount Ayr,
state binder Their terms of two years
each will begin January 1, 1901. The
custom in the past has been to give
these officers three terms.
Stockholders Protected.
EN-Speaker Byers has secured the
passage by the house of bill for the
protection of minority stockholders in
corporations. 1t provides that three
fourths' vote of stockholders must be
given for the election of officers and
the fixing of their salaries. Where the
stockholders cannot agree to delegate
the election of officers to the directors
Or elect them by a three-fourths vote
themselves, the directors may select of
ficers not members of the corporation
No stakeholder can receive anything
for counsel OF advice to the corporation
except by three-fourths vote of the
stockholders. The bill has been recon-
mended to pass in the senate.
To De Repaired.
Ihe special assessment laws, which
have been rendered imperative by the
decision of the United States supreme
court holding them to be unconstitu-
tional because the assessment of
taxes for improvements was not
equitable, are to be temporarily re-
paired by the present legislature and
commission appointed to thorough
ly revise them in time for the next
general assemblAto consider. A bill
by Senator Trewih has been reported
to pass in the senate by the commit
tee on cities and towns, providing
that such assessments shall be ac-
cording to the benefits received and
not in excess thereof, and in no case
more than rs per cent. of the value of
the property against which such
taxes are assessed. The same COM
mittee has reported bill providing
for the appointment, by the president
of the senate and the speaker of the
house, of a commission of three mem
bers from each house to revise the
special assessment laws and report to
the next general assembly.
Given More Money.
Another Appropriation of $1,000 for
the state historical department has
been allowed by the senate appropria-
tons committee. This is for the pur-
pose of printing and binding. classify
ing, cataloguing and otherwise ex-
tending the work of the department
under the direction of Charles Aid
rich. Under the new law, the cura-
tors salary is paid out of the general
fund. Heretofore it has come out of
the department appropriation of &c.
900 year. This change effects an
increase in the departments support
fund of $1,000 year, although the
consolidation bill increases the cura-
tors salary to $1,000 per year. The
new historical building will now be
finished according to specifications, as
desired by Mr.. Aldrich, and furnished
in the best of style.
No Improvements will be made to
the state house beyond some neces-
sary and urgent repairs. The state
architect will be requested to furnish
estimates upon what is necessary to
be done to thoroughly finish the
building and put it in frst-class con-
dition. The corridors have never been
decorated and they are beginning to
look dirty. They were always bare
and shabby. New elevators are need
ed and so are other Improvements. 1t
is thought that the cost of all that
should be done will amount to about
100000, and this will be provided for
by the next legislature.
Law Course Increased
Senator Mullan's bill requiring a
three years law course instead of two
years. and a three years high school
course preparatory for the study of
law, passed the senate Saturday. 1t
does not take effect until July, 1901.
Examinations are to be conducted at
the State university and in Des
Moines by commission, consisting of
the attorney general and four others
to be appointed by the supreme court,
to- serve two years.
Down to Business.
The two houses are now getting
down to business. There has been a
great deal of procrastination> this ses-
| sion. more than ever before in the ~
years observation of the writer.
Everything has moved slowly. There
| have been no night sessions and until
recently afternoon sessions We're the
exception and the committees did not
hurry very much. Now great many
bills are on the calendar and it is E
contest from this time out as t,
whose bills shall be allowed to ge'
through. None of the appropriation
bills have been passed, nor have thu
conference committees held an,
meetings. Conference committees on
appropriations have been appointc,
and will begin their sessions eithe
Tuesday or Wednesday. they are a
follows: Senatc-Garst. Hartman
Allyn, Smith Lyons; house Dows
Let's. Hurn. Clark, of Hamilton am
Jaeger. The prospesct now is tina
the legislature will not adjourn befor
the 5tb or 9th of April.
f. w. BlCKNELL.
4 Relief In Six Hours.
!. Distressing Kidney and Bladder Disease r