Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1902-05-30

cureu majority OF the commission,
and while it is said by none that Gov.
Cummins made the appointments with
any view of this character, yet the sol
diers who were in the division are graf
flied. j. +. Merry, of Manchester,
who has been elected president of the
commission, and D. A. Haggard, of AL
gona, were members of the Twenty
first Iowa; W. o. Mitchell, of Corning,
and H. Fl. Rood, of Mount Vernon,
were members of the Thirteenth
Iowa; Judge L. C. Blanchard, of Oska-
loosa, was member of the Second
brigade, Twelfth division. This was
also in the Thirteenth corps. This
gives the corps majority of the COM
mission and the Fourteenth division
within one of majority. This is espe-
cially gratifying to the soldiers who
served in McClernand's division.
May Be Appealed.
There is bare possibility that the
question of whether or not the Iowa
law relating to tax ferrets is constitu-
tional will be appealed to the federal
courts. The Iowa court has held that
the law is constitutional in every re-
spect. In Ohio such law has been
held invalid by the federal courts.
Their decisions are not. binding on the
state courts, however, and. indeed, the
Ohio supreme court decided that the
Ohio law was perfectly valid. In
Iowa the treasurer collects the taxes
and he is authorized to take out of the
collections a certain per cent. pro-
vided his salary is not at the maxi
mum fixed by the law already Tn Ohio
the auditor collects The taxes and is
authorized by the Ohio law to take
out commission, as is the treasurer
in this state. There it was held by the
federal courts that inasmuch as the
auditor had an interest in the proceed
ing, and the assessing of property was
judicial act, the law was invalid, as
the Judge must be presumed to be
prejudiced by his interest. In Iowa,
however, no treasurer is now drawing
commission on collections, and this
distinguishes the Iowa situation from
that in Ohio, in the opinion of the Iowa
supreme court. However, it is posi-
BILE that the matter may be taken into
the federal courts.
The War Claim.
Both Secretary of the Treasury
Shaw and Speaker Henderson. of the
national house, have notified the state
authorities that the state of Iowa is
entitled TO and may recover from the
government at this session of con-
gress the whole of Its claim against
the general government on account of
money expended during the civil war
in equipping troops, and amounting to
more than $456,O00. The state author
tiles have been notified that the item
will go into the urgent deficiency bill
which will be passed by congress Just
before adjournment. This assurance
comes from Senator Allison, who is at
the head of he@appropriations COM
mittee in the senate. The state off
Gals believe that the money will be
snug in the Iowa treasury by the first
of August.
Chances Are Slight.
The chances for an extra session of
the legislature on account of the emer-
gency at the institution for the deaf
and dumb at Council Bluffs because
of fire, are slight. 1t is the general
understanding that the governor is
opposed to the plan. Many of the
members Of the legislature have dis
couraged the extra session idea be-
cause they fear that the question of
relocating the institution would come
up, and this would involve the assem-
bly, in long session, in all prabab bill
ity. The board of control is now care
fully Investigating to ascertain the
cost of the structures which will be
imperative for the needs of the insti-
tuition during the ensuing two years
or until an appropriation for build
ing, which the legislature of 1904 will
make will be available.
Fund IL Growing
That all corporations are not soul
less has been demonstrated by the
Iowa State Bankers society. About
eight months ago the bank at Green
vile was robbed. Three suspicious
characters We're discovered near AL
bert City, and posse of citizens took
after them. They made fight and
killed two men. One Of these, John
Sunblad, was poor man, and his fam
lily was left~in an unfortunate condi-
ton. The bankers started fund for
indemnity or insurance to his family,
and at the state meeting here the past
week it developed from the trustees
of the fund that it now amounts to
about $4,000. 1t continues to grow.
In the battle one robber was killed
and the other two are now under sem
tence of death for killing Sunblad and
his companion.
Independent Line.
An independent toll line for long
distance work is planned between
Burlington and Council Bluffs. As
soon as this is completed other long
distance independent lines will be
built and operated. The independent
companies recently decided to invade
the long-distance field in Iowa. 1t is
believed that this is forerunner of
general consolidation among indie
pendent properties, which already
have community of interest. County
consultations are now being formed
in several of the counties of the state.
LEON BROWN.
oman IN THE IRON MASK"