Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-01-16

adelphia in 1867, but we shared that
interest with the whole nation. We
were much concerned in the Columbian
fair at Chicago in 1898, but we shared
that concern with all the people OF
North America. The centennial ami
versary of what is commonly known as
the Louisiana Purchase" relates pecu-
liarly to those states which comprise
the territory then acquired. The pa
triotic citizens of this commonwealth
claim for her the highest rank among
the states. The commemoration or the
act which gives us our title to state
hood in the greatest republic of the
earth, the event which gives US PLACE
in the azure field of the stars and
stripes from which our star blazes
more radiantly than any other, ought
not to be allowed to pass unnoticed. IL
would humiiate every man and worn-
an In the state if at st. Louis in 1903
Iowa We're not. as she is everywhere
else, among the first. We may not be
able to pass into the treasury the divi-
dends which Will from time to time, be
declared upon the investment we make
in this memorial; but ! am sure that
abundant returns will come to US in
more devoted and enlightened citizen
ship and in a truer conception of the
greatness and growth of eur splendid
commonwealth.
It gives me more than ordinary
pleasure to mention the proposal to
erect an appropriate state monument
and suitable regimental monuments in
the National Park at Vicksburg. The
~ q render the DatriOtiSln
and ileroism of the men who fought
for the union in the war of the re-
bellion, no matter how great or how
noble, will but freely express the graf
itude we feel. Iowa has a peculiar
interest in the siege of vicksburg. The
yalor of Iowa soldiers everywhere con-
spicuous was especially distinguished
thru the dreadful days that preceded
the fall of this important stronghold.
Our proportionate losses were greater
than history records for any other en-
gagement, and 1t is meet that we
should mark the field of patriotic
courage with enduring testimonials of
our grateful memories.
HISTORICAL BUILDING.
The state has made beginning in
the erection of an historical building.
LII IUe TuSI VI IldtcIldl lSt Us
not forget that important and essen
tial department of the government
which Is to be housed and carried on
in the historical building. Many con-
siderations urge the completion of the
work at the earliest practicable mo-
ment. The proposed division Of thu
state library, which I believe meets
the approval of all who have exam
ined the subject. must be delayed until
the building is finished. There Is no
adequate repository for the collection
of books, papers, documents, and
other things that relate to the history
and growth of the state. AS time
passes on much that is now accessible
will become inaccessible, and much
that is now in existence will be de-
stroyed. I am not permitted at this
time to enter into detail of this, the
most interesting branch of state af-
fairs; but must content myself with
earnestly urging the speedy compile
ton of the work so we'll begun.
LAW OF NEGOTIABLE INSTRU-
MENTS.
/ have been advised that there will
be introduced into the general as
sembly bill covering the law peculiar
to negotiable instruments. 1 have
long felt SO deep an interest in an at
tempt to create uniformity thruout the
United States upon this, important
subject that 1 can not resist the in
clination to mention the matter at this
time. In an age like ours. when com
merce utterly diregards state bound
aries. and In which the business re-
lations of the people of one state are
as intimate with the people of an
other as with their own citizens; and
when we reflect that law is Is but
stumbling block unless 1t is known to
those who are to be governed by 1t,
the diversity of the laws of several
states upon so simple thing as
promissory note or a bill of exchange
lis a reproach to a civilized people. 1t
/ Is obvious that the final remedy must
be in extending to congress the power
to enact statute that will be general
in it's operation thruout the whole
sovereignty of the republic, but in
| view of the difficulties that lie in the
way of an amendment to the constitu-
ton of the United States, the Ameri-
can Bar Association, about three years
ago suggested an effort to secure con-
lcerted action in the principal CONNER
cial states. The proposed statute was
prepared by competent lawyer, and
has already been adopted by three or
four states. and will unquestionably,
during the present year, be favorably
acted upon In several others. 1t con-
tains no radical departure from the
we'll known principles controlling the
subject, and confidently believe that
nothing Objectionable will be found in
its provisions. earnestly hope that
! 1t will receive the favor of the
Twenty ninth General Assembly. and
that before many years all of the great
states of the union will have taken the
step toward uniformity.
JOUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITu-
TIONS.
! OF all the sources of state pride, the
most constant has been the generality
and completeness of our educational
equipment and facilities. We have
again and again challenged the coun
try for comparison between our people
and any other for education and intel
ligence. 1t is to be feared that we
| have been so well contented with
laurels already wen that we have for
gotten that eternal vigilance Is the
price of other things than liberty. 1t
/ is unfortunately true that we have
fallen little behind in the race, and
| we must grid up our loins and quicken
our step.
With respect to our common and
high schools in which we are more
deeply interested than in any other
| institutions of society, can not now