Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-21
PREPARE FOR ASSEMBLY.

PREPARE FOR ASSEMBLY.
Proposed Legislation to Come Before
the Legislature.
Des Moines, Nov. 16.-The Iowa leg
islature meets on the second Monday
in January, which brings it on the
thirteenth of the month, but the super
stition which attaches to this num-
Der does not seem to deter those who
want new legislation or repeal of
present laws. The average length of
Legislative sessions is three months,
and the prospects are that fully this
much time will be required to dispose
of all the bills that will come before
the general assembly.
The woman suffragists are making
great preparations for an onslaught
upon the coming legislature. Consid-
cradle money has been raised for the
maintenance of legislative lobby, and
much work has already been done
among the newly elected members. 1t
is said to be a part of the plan to Sc
cure signatures to petitions in districts
where legislators show disposition
to oppose the submission of the ques-
IiOl vi ouAl W lliS NOlSlS vi lllS
state. Mrs. Clara Bell Brown, the
noted anti-suffragist worker, is now in
Des Moines organizing movement to
antagonize the suffragists. There is
great promise of repetition of the
lively times which marked the ses-
sion of four years ago, when the wo-
men who held opposite views on this
question held public discussions in the
committee rooms of the house and sen.
ate.
The Anti-Saloon league also will
send it's legislative committee here to
secure changes in the mulct law. This
organization demands that the life OF
petitions of consent to operate saloons
be reduced to three years. Under the
present law they are perpetual. 1t al
so wants to increase the number of
voters required to secure such consent
There Will Be No Faction Fight.
1t now appears certain no measure
will come before the legislature which
will cause faction fight. 1t was fear
ed the contest before the republican
state convention would not end with
the convention, but the election returns
show these fears to have been un
founded. Two years ago the fight ov.
er United States senator centered in
the election of speaker of the house
and, although no more bitter contest
ever was waged, the session was en-.
tirely harmonious, the yictors being
fair and considerate and the vanquish
ed determined that the feeling which
had been aroused should not interfere
with the work of the law-making body
The only measure which might re.
suit in the drawing of factional lines
relates to re-districting of the state
and it is the opinion of the leaders
that neither side will care to urge such
a bill. Congressman are to be elected
next year, and any movement looking
! to a change of the boundary lines OF
congressional districts or the creation
of more districts is certain to make
slow progress, because of the fear that
it might affect the chances of those
who aspire to seats in the national
house.
There is absolutely no doubt that
Senators Allison and Dolliver will be
reelected by the full party vote. Gov
|ernor-elect Cummins' friends say he
will religiously observe the public
promises he has made on the subject
in which case the return of both sena
tors is assured.
Some of the Proposed Legislation.
The bills which will attract wide at
tention, and some of which are already
drafted, provide for the abolition OF
the offices of state printer and binder
for the prevention of child labor in fac
tories, for the application of the Chesh
ire plan in the taxation of railroads
express, sleeping car, and telegraph
companies, for the better collection o.
personal taxes, and for a valued pol
| icy" insurance law. The last legisla
ture passed valued bill, but it was
vetoed by Governor Shaw. Senator
Mardis of Wayne county will introduce
the bill at the coming session and figh
for its passage. Representative
Clarke of Dallas, who led the fight fol
the abolition of the Offices of state
printer and binder at the last session
and lost by the slightest margin, will
continue the fight this winter.
Governor Cummins will ask the leg
lislature to extend the time allowed
the executive council for fixing rail
road assessments to June 25. Under
the present law the council must fl
the assessment in March, only few
4 days being given them to complete thi
I important work. Mr.. Cummins be
lieves no good purpose is served il
Ihurrying this work, and that no incon
tvenience would follow an extension O
the time sixty days or more.
!. Or. William F. Norris Dead.