Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1902-04-11
Laws Passed by Present Iowa Legislature

LIZ WIZ
Special to Times Republican.
Des Moires, April 1.-THE laws
which have been passed by the legisla :
ture have not all been signed by tn:
governor as yet, but the most Of them
have gone to the secretary of states of
flee and are completed. There VIII De
no more vetces. The work of the legis-
lature has been carefully done and a
large number of important laws have
been placed on the statute books. In the
estimation of most of the legislators the
compulsory education law is the most
important that has been passed and II
will have results of greatest value 70
the state. The law for the change IN
the system Of road working, adopting
the township system, is regarded by
many as the most important bit OF
legislation accomplished. The law for
the reorganization of the supreme court
and providing for method of securing
with the lawyer members and they are
greatly pleased with 1T. The law for
codification of the statutes In regard to
negotiable instruments is regarded by
others as one of the most valuable OF
the general statutes. The following is
a brief statement of the most important
of the laws which have been brought
forth by the twenty ninth general as
sembly:
Compulsory education law, providing
for truancy schools and requiring par
ents and guardians to send all children
between Z and IA years to school at
least twelve weeks each year.
Changing the road improvement sys-
tenn from the sub-district plan to the
township system, abolishing sub-di-
rectors and providing for township
supervisor of roadmaking, also requir-
ing all except poll taxes to be paid in
cash.
Reorganization of the supreme court,
providing for practically continuous
terms, Immediate decisions on cases
submitted and raising salaries to $4,000
year.
Providing that fire escapes shall be
placed on all public buildings and CIV
ing towns and cities power to enforce
the law.
General revision of the law In regard
to fish and game in accordance with the
desires of the state game association.
Giving veterans of the civil war $500
exemption from taxes on property ex-
cept where the assessment does not ex-
coed $4,000.
Providing for the publication in news
papers of complete statements of the
city accounts once each year and full
financial statements.
Giving to each farmers institute the
right to send delegate to the annual
agricultural convention, the same as
each county fair association.
Providing for revision Of the code and
code supplement to contain all laws
to date; also for an additional edition
of the present code.
Defining the conditions on which in
terurban railroads shall be established.
giving boards of supervisors the right
to grant franchises, and also providing
for voting aid to interurbans.
Giving additional powers to the state
board of health where local boards neg
lect their duty. and providing for ex-
penses in case of quarantine of con-
tagious diseases.
Reducing the rate of interest on
county warrants from to per cent
Giving townships the right to assist
in Improvement of cemeteries in adj
joining townships.
Providing for appointment of trus-
tees for cemeteries by the courts on ap-
plication of persons interested.
Permitting boards of supervisors to
employ help for the immediate repair OF
drains and levees in an emergency.
Legalizing real estate transfers
where the husband or wife has sought
to convey the dover right of the matri-
monial partner by signing under pow
er of attorney from the wife or hus-
band.
Providing for uniform bonds for
sureties and administrators defining
what they shall contain.
Providing punishment of twenty
years in the penitentiary for any one
who incites another to commit murder,
even tho the crime is not committed,
intended to prevent anarchistic talk.
Defining the crime of the commission
of crimes and providing punishment,
being an act to make 1t possible to pun
ish heavily the habitual criminals
Defining the crime of kidnapping for
ransom and fixing punishment at ten
years Imprisonment or life sentence.
Providing that feeble minded women
may be kept at the institution for fee
ble-minded until they are As years old.
Prohibiting the sale of cocaine by
druggists except as other poisons are
sold or on physicians certificate.
Making it a misdemeanor to sell boxes,
etc, belonging to another.
Making the law in regard to mali
cious mischief apply to apparatus Of
electric railways.