Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1901-04-11
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL
Des Moines, April s. 1901.

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Des Moines, April s, 1901.
Secretary Wesley Greene of the
State Horticultural society has re-
ceived and tabulated reports from
twenty counties in various parts Of
the state, on the condition of the
fruit trees. These show the trees in
good condition. The circular sent
out asked for reports on the present
condition of fruit trees and "the in
dicat ion of an average condition in
which 100 represents the normal con-
dition." The tabulated returns thus
far make the following showing:
Apples, IS; pears, Sc. Plums--
American, 81; European, 80; Japan,
o.; cherries, IS; peaches, So; grapes,
uncovered, 50. Raspberries--red, IS;
black, "a; blackberries, IS; strawber-
ries, 81. "This showing is very good,
considering all the conditions" said
Mr.. Greene. There has been some
little injury to cherries, the trees
starting to grow last fall because of
the long warm weather. There has
been a good deal of damage to black
and red raspoerries, many of the
canes having been killed. Peach buds
oAN IL g. HAcSPN>s' 80 =
large fruit crop are not quite as
good as last year, the trees not be-
ing set so full of buds as they were
year ago. However, there is an
ample number of buds for good
crop and it does not necessarily fol-
low that the thickest set of buds will
be followed by the most fruit.
think the reports thus far in show
pretty accurately the conditions.
though there may be slight changes
when the reports are in from oil the
countries"
There is no prospect of any at
tempt to insure the state buildings,
according to John Cownie, of the
board of control. Mr.. Cownie in
speaking of the question said the
losses as shown by the reports to the
board were too light to warrant the
state in taking out policies and pay
ing premiums. sit has been shown"
said Mr.. Cownic, shat thirty per cent
of the premiums paid into fire i'm
surance company is sufficient to cover
the losses, the other seventy per cent
going to the company. IL any such
percentage holds true as to the losses
on the state buildings, the state GER
tainly would make money to carry
it's own insurance" Mr.. Cownie is
satisfied the insurance companies will
not consent to issue blanket policies
taking risks on. all the institutions
under the board without exacting
stiff premium. In his opinion the leg
islature would be pursuing a poor
financial policy if it directed that the
state buildings should be insured, in
view of the losses sustained.
Judge Silvara. as the result of
test case tried before him, in which
the defendant was convicted and SEN
fenced to pay fine OF $25 and costs,
announced that the Sunday closing
law must and will he enforced. He
declared that any storekeeper
brought before him in the future on
the charge of violating this law Will
be fined as high as 500 and costs, that
he was determined the rights of the
clerks shall be protected. The clerks
unions are organized to make a deter
mined fight.
Judge Slvara has rendered de.
cision in the case of state of Iowa VS..
Charles Mcfarland, holding that Sun
day baseball playing is permissible
under the statutes of the Iowa code.
The decision not only applies to the
city of Des Moines, but, If correct,
permits Sunday games to be played
in any section of Iowa. The case was
brought early last fall and tried be-
fore Silvara. Charles Mcfarland, one
of the Des Moines pitchers, was ar
rested on the charge of violating Sec
tion 5040 of the code relative to Sab
bath breaking. Mcfarland was Sc
lected as the defendant, it being the
object of the prosecution to make the
case n test of the Iowa Sunday labor
laws. The attorneys for the defense
demurred to the petition filed by the
state on the ground that section 5040
does not construe ball playing as la
Dor, and, as there is no reference
made to sporting, games, etc, Me-
Farland was not violating the Sab
bath laws in the legal sense. The
state attempted to show that the de-
PENDANT was regularly employed by
the Des Moines ball club; that he de-
pended upon the management for his
sole support, and that in entering in
to game of any description or char
acter on the Sabbath day he was la
boring. The court sustained the de-
murrer and the case was thrown out
of court.
Secretary Of State Martin win
exact fee of 1000 from the Union
Pacific railroad on account of the
filing of the amended articles of in
corporation, $100,000,000. Last year
the company increased its capital
S25 100000 and Secretary of State
Dobson neglected to collect the filing
fee. The company cited the prec-
edent. but this was ineffective and
the charge will be made unless the
attorney general decides differently.
Mr.. Mullen's opinion is well known
on questions of this character, and
it is thought that he will rule that
in all cases where an increase of capt.
tai is made the maximum of filing fee
must be paid.