The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-02-27
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL.
Des Moines Feb OK laos

Des Moines. Feb. 25, 1909.
Auditor of staue Merriam has re-
ceived word through Judge Carr of
this city that he advised the protest
Ing foreign insurance companies which
are engaged in a controversy with the
state department, to withdraw their
protests. These were filed with the
treasurer of state when payment was
made of the 31s per cent tax imposed
for the privilege of transacting
business in this state. Notices of pro-
test also accompanied the application
to the auditor for certificates permit
ting them to transact business in the
state. Auditor Merriam claimed that
such protests would vitiate the re-
ceipts for tax and refused to issue the
certificates until they were with
drawn. This would cut the companies,
ten in number, off from Iowa bust
ness.
The house committee on agriculture
decided to recommend for passage
the Townsend bill which provides for
the draining of land without infring-
ing on the property of others. This
bill provides for the condemnation of
land needed for drainage bitches.
The house committee on railroads
oy unaniomus vote voted to recon-
mend for indefinite postponement the
Hogue BILL compelling railways to
furnish freight cars to all shippers
alike and striking out the clause CIV
ing the companies the right to plead
Inability to furnish cars when they
were asked for. Several attorneys
and superintendent of railways ap-
peared before the committee and spoke
against the bill. Senator Hogue
spoke for it and made strong effort
to secure minority report. Some of
the members of the committee he
was counting on were not present and
it is possible a minority report may
yet be filed. The members of the
committee present were unanimous
against the bill, however.
The committee by vote of 16 to
decided to recommend for passage the
Blanchard bill providing for the levy
ing of tax of per cent for inter-
urbans. Senator Blanchard appeared
before the committee and presented
the matter. Some opposition develop
ed, but the sentiment in favor of the
bill was overwhelming.
State Treasurer Gilberston has au-
thorized a denial of the recent inter.
view with him, in which the state
treasurer was made to commit him
self to the stocks and bonds method of
railroad assessment in Iowa.
Judge Spurrier will take up the Ma
bel Schofield case before the grand
jury when it convenes early in March.
That this is his intention was stated
by him in an interview. 1--WE have
some good evidence and the league
will not weaken in the effort to settle
this question:" he said. Asked if the
present grand jury had refused to go
into the case, Judge Spurrier said:
THE present grand jury was crowd
ed out of the case-that is, they had
other new cases too important to set
aside in order to take this one up,
and as it promised to be of consider
able duration, it is well they did not
try it"
county received s1,191.21 as royalty
on the coal mined on the county farm
by the Des Moines Coal and Mining
company. This is the largest amount
ever received by the county in roy
alties for one month. The money
goes into the county pauper fund.
Little or nothing is heard about the
proposal now before both houses to re-
peal the statute for taxing the express
companies by the Cheshire method and
to substitute for it the same system
that is used in assessing the telephone
and telegraph property of the state,
being method embodied in bill
prepared by Senator Blanchard and
substitutes for the Cheshire bills on
the same subject in the last general
assembly. The bills to repeal the
Cheshire act and enact the substitute
have just been introduced and have
not been acted upon by the committees
as yet.
Comment and reports strengthen the
impression that Senator Emmert is
going to be deposed from his seat for
the Cass-Adair district, and that Bruce
will be seated. The action of the con-
test committee is almost everywhere
interpreted as meaning this. Senator
Emmert was elected on the face of the
returns by one majority and received
the certificate. The contest commit
tee has made painstaking investiga-
ton and count, and its members de.
clare that the report will represent
their best judgment, reached as fairly
as possible. They have absolutely de-
clined to indicate their decision in ad.
vance, but senatorial rumor is that the
seat will go to Bruce.
That there will be other railway as.
sessment bills before the legislature
before many days is definitely under
stood. There is talk that Senator
Trewin may introduce one in the upper