Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-30

ferred to the attorney general, who
had decided that under the statute the
power rested with the governor. Upon
suggestion that the subject be re-
ferred to the judiciary committee
there was at first some hesitancy, but
it was averred that the governor and
attorney general would be glad of such
reference, and it was so ordered.
The First Redistrictins Bill.
Greeley of Story was the first mem
Der of the house to get in bill for re-
districting the state. The appropria-
ton bills for the college of the blind
at Vinton and for the penitentiary at
Anamosa were presented in the house
yesterday afternoon. Haman of Scott
sent up measure for the better pro-
lection of birds and game, Hern of
Cerro Gordo for improving quarantine
regulations, Jones of Mahaska wants
the library statutes changed, and a
number of others see flaws in existing
laws and made propositions for their
remedy
Proposes Reformatory for Women.
Now comes new use for the Knox
vile institution, which bids fair to
soon be bore to the legislators. 1t
is proposed. and bill to that effect
will soon be introduced, that the build
ing shall be converted into a reforma-
tory for women. while a like PROPOSE
ton will be submitted turning the pen
itentiary at Anamosa into reforma-
tory for male prisoners who have not
yet gone beyond the reach of better
ment.
The appropriation for the College for
the Blind carries a special fund of
| $7,T00, $1,000 of this being for pipe
organ, the balance for repairs, etc In
place of the usual lump appropriation
for support, the bill provides for S22
per capita per month, based on actual
attendance, and for nine months
school year. This is in accordance
with the recommendation of the board
of control.
h A bill has been introduced by Nagle
of Van Buren, for the prohibition OF
Sunday baseball.
Against Vocal Music in Schools.
| Wilson, of Washington, introduced
a bill yesterday afternoon which re-
| pediS IldI SGOtlOu VI lllS COue WHICH
makes instruction in vocal music OBJ
| ligatory in the schools of the state
Mr.. Wilson defends his measure as
follows: 1t is admitted that we try
to teach too much in the schools, and
we lose in thoroughness what we gain
in number of subjects. 1t is not the
intention to interfere with the free.
dom of the city schools where com
petent instructor in singing can and
| is generally secured, but has to dc
with the rural schools. In these you
find teacher, with not particle OF
musical ability, who can no more sing
than can raven, instructing the chill
dren according to rote, and incidental
ly running the voices of those who, if
given proper training might be taught
to sing. The law which this bill is in.
tended to repeal was introduced in
good faith, but was passed by the leg,
lislature as joke, and the joke has
gone far enough.
Bank Legislation.
| Bealer, of Linn, has introduced q
bill which provides for the loaning OF
state bank funds outside the limits OF
Iowa, the same restrictions and secur
Titles as heretofore made the law val
liable to be retained. "a savings
bank" says Mr.. Bealer, located with
in half a mile, say of the Minnesota
line, is under the present law prevent
ed from seeking investment among its
lneighbors. no matter what the supe
rior inducement offered And yet the
money loaners of other states car
come into Iowa or elsewhere as they
please and make their investments
Iowa now has money to loan; its far
mers are getting rich, and they ought
to be able to take advantage of theil
opportunities
Free Text Books.
The labor unions of Council Bluffs
Iare responsible for the Introduction Of
La bill in the senate which would make
free text books compulsory in all the
schools of Iowa. The provisions are
elaborate and deal in detail with the
relations of school boards and pub
fishers of text books, the object being
to guard against extortion. But thu
passage of this measure would seen
to be extremely doubtful.
Schools Receive Attention.
i The schools are coming in for rlucl
attention. Another bill introduced
yesterday would give state aid to thu
rural districts. 1t provides that al
annual grant of $50 shall be mad
from the funds of the state to ever.
rural school having an enrolment o
twenty pupils, employing teacher o
the first grade and giving eigh
months tuition per year. This bill
also provides for the transportation o
lscholars in districts having centra
school.
Result of Supervisors Meeting.
One of the results of the recent su
pervisors' convention is seen in TIL
introduction of a bill raising the mini
mum period of Imprisonment to which
tramps may be sentenced at hard Ia
Dor from ten to thirty days.
Jos. E. Morcombe.
WANT GENERAL REPRIMANDED