Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-03-27
TO REPEAL THE LAW
New Apportionment Of Senators
and Representatives.
FIFTY OF FORMER ARE PROPOSED
Temple Wants the State Constitution
Amended in Order That the Appor-
tionment OF Senators and Represen-
tatves May Be Changed.

1
tatives May Be Changed.
| Des Moines, March &c.
Joint resolution No. l, introduced by
Temple, providing for an amendment
to the constitution of the state, went
through the house at the forenoon ses-
sion. 1t proposes the repeal of sec
lions 1896 and SO of the constitution
and the adoption of the following as a
substitute therefor.
Fifty Senators.
The senate shall be composed of fif-
ty members, to be elected from the
! several senatorial districts as estab.
lished by law, and at the next session
of the general assembly, held follow
ing the taking of the state and national
census, they shall be apportioned
among the several counties or districts
of the state according to population as
shown by the last preceding census.
One Hundred and Eight in House.
The house of representatives shall
consist of not more than than one hun
kdred and eight members. The ratio of
representation shall be determined by
dividing the whole number of the pop
ulation of the state as shown by the
last preceding state or national cen
Isus, by the whole number of counties
then existing or organized, but each
county shall constitute one representa-.
tive district and be entitled to one rep
resentative, but each county having a
population in excess of the ratio mum.
Der, as herein provided, of three-fifths
or more of such ratio number shall be
entitled to one additional representa-.
tive.
Fix Rates.
The general assembly shall, at the
first regular session held following the
adoption of this amendment, and at
each succeeding regular session held
next after the taking of such census
fix the ratio of representation and ap.
portion the additional representatives
as hereinbefore required.
Referred to next Session.
The resolution and amendment il
referred to the next general assembly
for action and the secretary of state
directed to cause the same to be pub
lished for three months previous rext
) preceding the day of election of mem
! bers of the general assembly, as pro
vided by law.
Its Effect.
The effect of this resolution should
it result in amendment to the consti
, tuition will be to increase the house
AS originally presented it prov ided fol
! one hundred and fifteen members. This
was at first amended to one hundred
and ten. and yesterday cut down tt
: one hundred and eight. The counties
which now have two Representatives
will retain that number, as l under
stand the figures, with the possible ex
ception of Lee.
Trust and Loan Companies.
The house soon disposed of the two
S special orders set for yesterday after
noon. The first was house file 366 b,
t Teachout, being a bill for an act pro
) viding for the organization of trus
companies and loan and trust compa
) MES, defining their powers and provid
/ ing for their examination and control
mis- was amended in the judiciar,
, committee and recommended for pas
, sage, but after discussion for some
time was sent back to the committee
tor further consideration.
Insurance.
Warren's bill to create a state de
partment of insurance and providing
for the appointment of commission
: of insurance was brought up as spec
c ial order and after discussion and
D amendment on the floor of the house
e was also sent back to the committee
g Insurance matters are taking up 6
+ considerable share of time in both
j, bodies just now. In the senate Mon
/, day Mofitt of Cedar made a character
: istic speech in discussing an amend
:, mnet to cut out certain words in 6
t bill which would have the effect to re
C Quire insurance companies to prove
e value when they wished to dispute
i claim for loss. Moffitt pointed ou
/, that while it was possible to CUES.
l. fairly well at the value of building
e and experts were fairly plentiful Blu
e when it came to the obstruction O
t. household property, he argued. it be
e came difficult proposition. The on
s. ly way out would be to call in pawn
broken OF secondhand dealer to prove
value.
Another Bill Sent Back.
Another bill which was sent back tt
!, the committee after it had been rec
commended for passage was that O
Sweeley relating to the powers OF cit
q les and towns and to authorize citie
: and towns to purchase, establish, erect
= maintain, operate, lease or sell tele
. phon plants or systems. This ha
= had an eventful history. 1t was frs
:: referred to the committee on mum
II cipal corporations, and by them re
= ported for indefinite postponement
. minority report was brought in recon
. mending passage and upon this it sc
= cured place on the calendar. Whe
y brought up yesterday afternoon it wa
y debated for some time, and then re
. ferred to the committee on telegraph
and telephones.
Says Time Is Ripe.
Hughes of Iowa county brought IL
the resolution for an application to til
congress Of the United States in beha
of the state of Iowa for the calling {