The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-05-01
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL
Dies Moines. April 20. 1902

d.
Des Moines, April 90, 1902.
It is announced by the state fair
managers, that the exhibit of Iowa in.
dustrial products will be made feat
ure of the fair of 1902. 1t will be re-
called that the fair people bought the
Iowa Producers Association building.
1t is planned to repair the building,
to construct attractive and convenient
approaches to it, ana to make the ex-
hibit one which will prove of great
value to the manufacturers and pro-
ducers Of the state. w. w. Morrow,
who has charge Of the implement de-
partment, will have charge Of the ex-
hibit.
The banks Of Des Moines have de.
cided to bring suit to test the consti-
tutionality of the state law taxing
bank stock, as interpreted by City
Solicitor Bremner. Nearly every bank
In the city has filed written protests
with the board of review at the city
hall. The board, however, to man
approved the stand taken by the
solicitor, and all the banks can do is
to take the matter into the courts.
This they assert that they would do.
The banks, however, do not as yet
make plain the grounds on which they
will contest the constitutionality of
the law. Something over $4,000 in
taxes are involved in the proposed
suit. The point at issue Is the ques-
tioa of offsettiQg the holdings of goy-
eminent bonds against the capital
stock, thus decreasing the assessment.
The national banks have never been
allowed to do this. State and saving
banks have. The national banks
claim that they have been discrim-
mated against Solicitor Bremner ad-
vised that neither class of banks be
allowed to offset their bonds, and the
board has taken that position.
The socialists have filed amend
ments to their petition for an injunc-
ton to restrain the city from trans
ferring $4,000 from the water works
fund to the water company for the
purpose Of constructing water main
to the army post. The amendment
/ was made necessary by the change
in the city administration since the
suit was first commenced. The So
cialists also add one or two sections
to the petition, declaring that the
transfer of the funds would be con
trary to the constitutions of the state
and of the United States. First it is
declared that the act of the legislature
authorizing the transfer is in conflict
with section / of article Z of the con.
stitution, in that it authorizes the
city to assume and become responsible
for the debts of private company,
which power is forbidden to the state,
and which cannot be delegated to the
city. 1t is also alleged that the law
Is in conflict with section of article
of the constitution of the state and
with the fourteenth amendment to the
constitution of the United States, in
that it discriminates in favor of water
companies in cities where there is
| military reservation, such class
ification being alleged to be arbitrary.
Notice has been served on all of the
city officials.
State Superintendent Barrett has
oeen holding conferences with the
| county superintendent of the state
respecting school matters. He has
discovered that there is divergence
of views between himself and the
county superintendent as to the in
depreciation to be placed on some of
the laws relating to schools For
instance, he has held, and the attorney
general has sustained MIN, that it is
illegal for county superintendent to
issue certificates to teachers on ex-
aminations taken before other super
intendents. This practice, he has
discovered, has been quite common.
Moreover, the county superintendent
are inclined to persist in it. Other
differences of opinion have arisen.
Mr.. Barrett has announced his inten.
ton of securing the opinion of the at
torney general on all mooted points
for inclusion in the forthcoming re.
vised edition of the school laws Of
the state, with annotations.
City Assessor French says that the
proceedings against owners of property
in the Whitechapel district, because of
sales of liquors in houses of i'll repute,
will not be dropped, also that the as
SCISSORS will keep close watch TO eht
SCISSORS will keep close watch of the
| districts into which the women are
| said to be moving, and that if they
find the same kind of violation going
on, they will surely assess the mulct
LAX against Inc properties.
Governor Cummins and State Super.
intendent Barrett have returned from
Iowa City, where they attended the
meeting of the regents. The most
important thing disposed of was
authorizing the building committee to
secure an architect and have plans
prepared for the medical building.
This will cost $125,000, and will be
built after the modern method, in three
separate structures so as to separate
the anatomical department and the
chemistry department from the main
building. The plans will be submitted
to the regents in June. Another com
i mittee was authorized to secure op.
lions on land west of the university
and between lAe university and the
river.
The state officers are being flooded
with inquiries about the Buchanan co
caine law. 1t went into effect by pub
LEGATION on March rs. 1t prohibits the
sale Of cocaine in any form, except te