Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-01-23

iaute lluugufdIeu might nave u Helplul IN
fuenee. The remaining 155 are doing rea-
sonably well, and many of them exeellently.
Some of them, however, II they. should
chance to be thrown out OF employment
would very likely lapse into vice. A volume
could be written that would be as interest
Ing as romance Of the transformation
In some of these lives. | have extended
a full pardon to quite number whose
terms would have expired, and who have
acquitted themselves creditably. Ii has not
been my purpose to extend ciemency 10
those who have deliberately embarked upon
a career of vice. but to sift out such as
appear to have been In sense accidental
criminals. Some of them. II Is believed, were
Innocent Of the crimes charged. A detailed
executive clemency has been extended. and
my reasons therefor, is this day submitted
to your honorable body as provided by
s1afne peter e 1ne sueset as @
recommendations. think additional legis-
lation should be had. but ! do not favor
encumbering the parole system with spceinc
should have absolute authority TO release
at pleasure any one charged with q less
ofrense than murder In t6e hrst degree.
and to return him to the penitentlary at his
discretion. The statutory provisions for
shortening the term because of good con
duct should be SO amended as to permit tpe
governor to declare TIE sape forfeited In
parole Is not satisfactory. Each case Is dis
tinct from all others. and no plan can be
formulated with sufficient elasticity TO meet
the requirements OF changed ana ever
changing conditions. Under statutory pro-
visions, as distinguished from free exercise
Of an unrestrained discretion, 1t Is as easy
for the Intentionally vicious to earn release
as for those of honorable ana virtuous in-
stincts | have paroled several before they
have ever seen the penitentary. This
have not done, however. except upon the
recommendation Of the trial judge and the
two quite distinct classes OF criminals; the
one deliberately and permanently vicious.
the other to some extent the creature OF
that Ml enable aaa chief executive par
d., Joard to discriminate wisely. mistakes
viii he made at best, but on the whole
believe in the greatest dissection sera rs
turned several to the penitentiary because
their early education was neglected. They
had never been taught to work, and when
released would not seek or accept employ
ment. They are now in the tool factory at
Fort Madison acquiring what they should
have been taught In youth.
The Investigations made by the bureau
Of labor statistics during the last biennlum
are of great Importance, and the report Will
he found interesting and valuable. More
than 300 factories We're Inspected, and the
facts ascertained and reported lead to the
belief that Ii would he well e make all
needed provision for the inspection of the
nearly 5000 other factories In the cities
and towns of Iowa. employing 10000 per.
sons. Inc SHulturN conutliouS VI many VI
the factories examined is well nigh alarm
Ing: and, | think demand consideration by
this general assembly. The department
should be clothed with authority as ample
as the mine inspectors, and IL should be
made incumbent upon the commissioner TO
protect employees from inadequate heat and
dangerous machinery. and to enforce ade-
quate fire escapes and wholesome sanitary
conditions.
The report shows that a large number of
children. some as young as ten years OF
age, are being employed In the factories Of
Iowa. and the faces Of many. OF them tell
sad story of overwork and over hours.
The statutes of this state already prohibit
the employment of children under a GER
tain age in coal mines. Why not extend
factories? Healthfui employment for limited
hours is beneficial and ! therefore do not
object so much to the fect Of child labor
as to its character and duration. There
| should be at least, | think. some statutory
| limitation. and the bureau should he
clothed with a wise oversight, ample dis
| erection, and plenary powers.
Two years ago | called attention to the
| fact that the title to the beds of a large
number of meandered lakes was In dispute.
The state claims title to these lands.
think 1t would be wise to memorabilia con
gress to protect the rights Of the state by
appropriate legislation. Certainly nothing
| ought to be done to interfere with what
Is now believed to be our vested right ]
am still OF the opinion 1t would be wise ia
grant these lands to some one or more oil
our educational institutions. They are
supposed to be worth several hundred thou
| sand dollars.
| Experience has shown that the provision
| for tho inspection OF linSeed oil Is Insult
Client to protect the public. The most vile
and worthless authorizations are readily sold
I'deaiers In paint oils should be required. to
place label upon the vessel containing
each sale. and proper penalty should be
provided for the sale OF authorizations IN
| Hat FOL In no ad
The act Of congress which admitted the
| state Of Iowa into the union liked the
western boundary OF this commonwealth
as the middle Of the main channel or the
Missouri river. Since that time the channel
| Of the river has changed, and there Is con
siderable territory formerly In this state
now on the western side of that river. rms
has given rise to much controversy, and to
some litigation. At the last session Of the
Legislature of Nebraska, a boundary com
| mission was authorized. the same TO b'
appointed when the legislature OF Iowa
F, should make similar provisions. The Ne
| braska law provides for three members to
be appointed by the governor to receive
$40 per diem for period not to exceed
! thirty days. and the sum OF 5000 was
appropriated to defray the expenses Of the
| comnlissio | recommend similar action IN
this state In the hope that a permanent
boundary may be established and ratified
| by the states Interested therein. and by
the congress Of the United States.
| During the last blennium the people OF
this state have been called to mourn the
death Of Hon. John ii. Gear-legislator
alive in congress. and United States scna
| tor-a most conspicuous character In Iowa
history. OF no man has 1t ever been said
| with greater verify, "Hc was the servant
Of the people" He never held a position
| that he did not fill, and never filled n posi-
| ton of which he was not worthy or In
which he failed signally to honor those who
had honored him.
| Mara rafautty pur neop1e wprp nnDalIpd nj
| the violent death Of the best beloved OF
| rulers and the most honored of men. william
| Mckinley, president Of the United States
shall not weary you, gentlemen, with an
attempt TO recount the virtues Of that noble
character. The immortal words used by
4 Lncola concerning Washington, and which
have been repeatedly reiterated as appli
| cable to their author. can now be said OF
Mckinley: ITO add brightness TO the sun
and glory to the name of Washington Il
] alike impossible. Let none attempt 1t: In
its Naked deathless splendor leave !,
/ shining on.
Such trinity Of names blesses not the
| annals Of any country but ours, and nc
other people cherish such priceless legacy
To All the vacancy by the death Of
Senator Gear, Honorable Jonathan Prem
was on the twenty second day of August
| 1900 appointed senator OF the unite'
States from the state Of Iowa Tor the re
| mainder If the term that expired on the
| third da, Of March last; and on the twenty
| ffth day OF February, 1901, Mr.. Doiliyei
was appointed for the term beginning on
the fourth day Of March following, to hold
until this general assembly shall elect q
| successor.
Thomas b. Haniey. Of the city Of Upton
| was, on the eleventh day of January, 1901
| commissioned member OF the board oil
regents Of the State university, to fll Q
vacancy occasioned by the death OF Nor
timer A. Hlgfey. the commission takizg ef
feet January s. 1901, and continuing until
! this meeting of the general assembly.
The state Is In fourishlng condition: llei
people are prosperous. II there be discon
! tent anywhere or among any class. IL Ii
| rot manifest While our population Is In
| creasIng. the court records indicate that
| crime Is decreasing. Fewer persons were
sent to the penitentiary during the last
wear than In any other, save one. In tht
last ouarter of n century. The relations