Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-21

= - . - ~ " 49,
Louis, In 1913, Iowa were not, as she
is everywhere else, among the first.
We may not be able to pass into the
treasury of dividends which will, from
time to time be declared upon the in
vestment we make in this memorial;
but I am sure that abundant returns
will come to us in more devoted and
enlightened citizenship, and in a truer
conception of the greatness and
growth of our splendid commonwealth.
Vicksburg Monument.
1t gives me more than ordinary
pleasure to mention TIE proposal to
erect an appropriate state monument
and suitable regimental monuments
in the national park at Vicksburg.
/ The tributes we render to the patriot
ism and heroism of the men who
fought for the Union in the war of
the rebellion, no matter how great or
how noble, will but feetly express the
gratitude we feel. Iowa has peculiar
interest in the siege of Vicllsburg.
The valor of Iowa soldiers everywhere
| conspicuous was especially distin-
guished through the dreadful days
that preceded the fall of this import
ant stronghold. Our proportionate
losses were greater than history re-
cords for any other engagement, and
it 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.
In the rush of material affairs, let 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
moment. The proposed division of
the state library, which | believe,
meets the approval Of all who have
examined the subject must be delayed
until the building is finished. There is
ton 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. | am not permitted at this
time to enter into the detail of this,
the most interesting branch of state
affairs, but must content myself with
earnestly urging the speedy compile
ton of the work so well begun.
The Law of Negotiable Instruments.
l have been advised that there will
be introduced into the general assem-
bly, bill covering the law peculiar TO
negotiable instruments. l have long
felt SO deep an interest in the at
tempt to create uniformity throughout
the United States upon this important
subject that | cannot resist the in
clination to mention the matter at
this time. In an age like ours, when
commerce utterly disregards state
boundaries, and in which the business
relations 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 but a
stumbling block unless it is known to
those who are to be governed by it,
the diversity of the laws of the several
states upon so ample a thing as a
promissory note or bill of exchange is
reproach to civilized people. 1t is
obvious that the final remedy must be
In extending to congress the power to
enact a statute that will be general
in its operation throughout 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-
! certed action in the principle CONNER
| cial states. The proposed statute was
prepared by competent lawyer, and
has already been adopted by three or
four states, and will unquestiona ably.
during the present year. be favorably
acted upon in several others. It con
tains no radical departure from the
we'll known principles controlling the
subject, and l confidently believe that
nothing objectionable will be found in
its provisions. l earnestly hope that it
Will receive the favor of the twenty
ninth general assembly, and that be-
fore many years aY of the great states
Of the Union will have taken the step
toward uniformity.
Our Educational Institutions.
Of all the sources of state pride, the
most constant has been the generality
and completeness of our educational
equipment and facilities. We have
ag;..< and again challenged the coun-
try for comparison between orr peo-
pie and any other for education and
intelligence. 1t is to be feared that
we have been SO well contented with
laurels already won 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