Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-11-14
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL
Des Moines. Nov. II. 1901.

with the Des Moines, Colfax and Des
Moines-Nevada electric lines, which
have been proposed for several
months. He has just received notice
that sixteen cars of steel rails, to
be used on the proposed electric in
terurban lines, have arrived, and word
was at once sent to Contractor p. T..
Shugart of Nevada that the contracts
made with Mr.. Polk last August must
be carried out now its soon as pos
sible. Mr.. Shugart was notified that
he will be expected to do as much
grading on the Des Moines-Colfax
line this fall as possible. The con-
tracts now in force, and which were
made to go into effect at the option
of Mr.. Polk, comprehend the build
ing of twenty-five miles of roadbed,
running east from this city, and con-
Meeting with the East Walnut street
and the Flint Valley lines. One spur
of the new road is to run north from
the fair grounds, through Hyde Park,
to Klondyke, settlement of coal
miners, numbering 1000 souls, and
there junction win be formed with
the extension of the Flint Valley line
west from the Flint brick works near
Oak Park. The Colfax line, on ac-
Mrs. A. M. Butler, J. f. .Coffinberry
and eastern capitalists, is to be
pushed to an early completion. Mr..
Polk stated that he expects to have
the line in operation by the first of
next July.
The Polk county delinquent tax
list is record-breaker in point of
size, being the smallest that the
county has had for years and years.
The printed tax list is full news
paper page less than it was last
year and far below the average for
the past twenty years. The tax list
this year shows a remarkable pros
perity existing Throughout the county,
and in the ruraa districts this is
particularly noticeable. The delin-
quent tax list for 1901 shows that
the country township descriptions are
three columns newspaper PRINT less
than they were last year. Almost
every township shows decrease in
the number of pieces of property
which are to be offered this year
for delinquent taxes.
The Commercial Exchange is con,
ferring with business men relative to
Investment of about $4,000 capital in
a wholesale dry goods business. Sec
rotary Ward has the names of five
men who will put in $4,000 cash each.
and who want more capital, so an
establishment can be opened with at
Ieast $250,000 capital. 1t is said that
Sioux City and Omaha have been
after the enterprise, but rentals have
been so high that the rentals have
refused to enter into the scheme, and
it is thought that better building ac-
commodations, added to the increased
facilities for shipments, will make
Des Moines the more advantageous
city for the big concern.
State Treasurer Gilbertson has filed
with Governor Shaw new bond for
100000, and the document has been
approved by the governor. This
brings the total bond of the treasurer
of state up . 100000, as the bond
given by Mr.. Gilbertson when he first
went into Office was 100000. The
reason for the increase in the bond
is the large sum of money now in the
treasury The balance in the general
revenue fund is approximately $1,000
900. The law makes the minimum Of
the bond that the treasurer can fur
nish 100000. 1t can be increased to
any sum named by It's governor.
When Mr.. Gilbertson first went into
Office it was agreed between him and
the governor that the bond should be
larger than it had been in John Her.
RIOTS time, and the increase was
carrying out of this understanding.
During Mr.. Herriott's term the gov
ernor felt the bond should be larger
| than it. was, but in view of the diff
ferences which had arisen between
himself and Mr.. Herriott he hesitated
| to direct an increase, lest his action
should be misconstrued. The increase
in the bond of the treasurer is step
that meets Mr.. Gilbertson's approval.
ne amount of the bond as suggested
by the governor was $750,O00, and Mr..
| Gilbertson advised that 100000 might
as well be added to the old bond
while the increase was being made.
The bondsmen are a number of Mr..
Gilbertson's personal friends and To-
cal banks in which the state funds
are deposited.
At the forthcoming meeting of the
state horticultural society important
legislation will be- considered, and in
all probability steps will be taken to
secure its enactment by the general
| assembly. The foremost movement
that is being agitated is for the crea-
| ton of department of horticulture,
similar to the department Of agri-
culture. The purpose of this move
ment is the protection of the public
and of nurserymen who do legitimate
business, from the wiles and inroads
of irresponsible tree jobbers. These
men are doing much damage to the
legitimate nursery interests and the
| farmers of the state are suffering
largely from their misrepresenta-
| tions. Fruit trees are sold by can
vassers at high prices, and in many
instances the trees are worthless.
Prominent horticulturists of the state
have considered the salient features
of a bill they desire enacted. 1t is
desired to have all nurseries pay
license. Only a nominal fee, snffi-
cient to pay the expenses in making
the record, is advocated. The meas
ure would then provide that all
agents employed outside of the coun-
ty in which the nursery is located
should be required to obtain a GER
tificate before soliciting orders for
stock. The tree-jobbcr would be re-
quired to pay higher license than
the nurseryman, and also the furnish
bond showing his ability to indem-
Nifty anyone injured by his methods.
His agents would be required to COM
ply with the same rules as those of
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