Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1902-02-05
AKEASLOW START
SPEAKER EATON TAKES STEPS
TO PREVENT FURTHER DELAY.
crossley Proposes That Congress Be
Memorialized in Favor of Hoar Bill,
but Senate Defers Action-Another
Biennial Election Bill Presented.


but Senate Defers Action-Another
Biennial Election Bill Presented.
Des Moines, Feb. 3.-The general
assembly entered upon it's fourth week
with little progress to its credit. OF
the routine work, the usual amount
has been accomplished, but no meas
ures of Importance have come from
committee and few of more than ordi-
nary interest have been presented.
The expectation which many held of a
brief but active session has been dis
appointed The indications now point
to either prolonged session or to the
accomplishment of little beyond the
formal legislation necessary each two
years to keep the machinery of state
in motion.
The situation was recognized by
Speaker Eaton of the house when, dur
ing the brief session of last Friday,
he took occasion to admonish the
members. Little work had been done
and one after another members had
addressed the chair to announce they
wished to be excused from attendance
until the following Tuesday. In each
case the speaker made the formal an
nouncement that the clerk would note
that Mr.. was excused until
Tuesday. But before adjournment
Speaker Eaton stated that informal
leave of absence would no longer be
granted. After Tuesday, he stated,
he would require formal action and a
roll call upon each request for leave.
"On Tuesday morning" said the
speaker, 1--WE must get down to busi-
ness. The people of the state expect
it, and we must begin doing it," In
the senate, Lieutenant Governor Her
riott made no formal announcement of
his wishes, but it is understood he has
quietly given the leaders of that body
to understand that he feels that more
activity would become them.
Senate Defers Action on Hoar Bill.
The session of the senate Friday
last was characterized by an episode,
which gave promise of return to the
strenuous days of the Temple amend
ment discussion in the legislature.
Senator Hubbard had arranged to in
troduce at the request of the Iowa
branch of the Brotherhood of Locomo-
tive Engineers a resolution memorial
izing congress in favor of bill which
has been introduced in the upper
house by Senator Hoar 1t prohibits
the interference of federal judges by
means of writs of injunction in labor
troubles and further provides that
agreements among employees as to a
course of policy to be pursued must
not be construed by the courts as con-
spiracy. In other words, what has
been termed by the enemies of the
system government by injunction"
is prohibited. Senator Hubbard was
absent and the resolution was intro
duced by Senator Crossley, another
Republican. 1t Immediately precipi-
tated a spirited discussion. Senator
Crossley demanded its immediate con-
sideration. This was opposed and its
reference to the committee on federal
relations favored by Senators Hazel
ton, Lewis and others. Some urged
that it should not be lightly considered
while others openly opposed the reso-
luton as uncalled for and impertinent
to congress. Senator Hazelton took
the position that the Iowa legislature
had no business telling the Iowa
members of the two houses of the ma
tional congress what to do. He called
attention to the embarrassment which
he said the Iowa legislature had caused
the Iowa members of congress two
years ago by hastily passing a resolu-
ton favoring free. trade with Porto
Rico, AN action which proved to be
contrary TO the policy of the admins
tration and opposed to the views of
the majority of congress and of a ma
jority of the Iowa members. The reso-
luton vas finally referred by prac-
ticalIy party vote, Crossley alone of
the Republicans, voting against refer
ence, and Tallman, alone of the Demo
Gratis, voting for reference. There
the resolution rests, but it is promised
that it is not destined to perpetual
sleep. Senator Porter, Democrat,
states that he will insist that the CON-
mittee report the measure in some
way within ten days and that once it
comes before the senate he will see
that vote is taken and senators COM
PEELED to go upon record for or
against 1t.
The house committee on appropria-
lions has decided to hear members of
the board of control as to the needs of
the different institutions under its
care before taking up any bills. After
this hearing the bills will be consid-
cred one by one. Chairman Hughes of
the committee is opposed to any ON
nibus bill. He believes that by secur-
ing the views Of the members of the
board of control without delay the
committee can consider the bills
singly and report them early enough
in the session TO give the house ample
time to act.
Biennial Election Measure Presented.
Senator Harper of Ottumwa has in
troduced a resolution providing for
constitutional amendment for biennial,
instead of annual elections. 1t is
practically the Titus amendment,
urbioh Was adoptad hu tba vntarc NJ