The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-02-21
Civil War Claim.

CIVIL war CLAIM.
Some of those interested in the
finances of the assembly have been
elated by the prospect that the state
would be able to recover its civil war
claim from the general government
before the adjournment of the session.
This claim amounts to S456,o0a. and
would be a very timely addition to the
funds available for extraordinary APP
preparations. 1t was taken for grant
ed when the recovery of this claim was
first suggested by Capt. j. S. Lothrop,
of Sioux City, that it would take sew
eral years, perhaps Is, to secure set
Element in favor OF the state. This
was the history of the claims of other
states, but during the past week Sen
ator Allison notified the governor that
in his opinion the claim would be in
serted in the urgency deficiency APP
preparations of congress and gotten
through during this session of con-
gress. Capt. Lothrop does not believe
that this matter is fully understood
by Senator Allison, and that the state
will find that it will have to go
through long course of litigation be-
fore it is able to recover the 100000 it
claims. This money represents the
interest paid by the state of Iowa on
bonds which it issued during the civil
war to secure money for the equip,
ment of Iowa troops for the civil war.
The government paid back the prin-
cipal of these bonds but did not paJ
the interest
To Extend Railway Law.
Senator Ball has proposed bill to
extend all of the railroad law of the
state to govern electric trolley lines.
The bill specifically exempts the street
car lines, but places under it's provi-
sions of the statutes respecting steam
roads the lines now projected connect
ing cities. This measure has been ex-
pected for some time and will result
in warm controversy. If adopted it
will extend to the interurban lines the
right to exercise the power of emil
nent domain, which it is now said that |
only steam roads may exercise. The |
Blanchard bill to authorize the people
to vote taxes in aid of interur ban troll
ey lines passed the senate in an amend
I'd form, it being provided that the
companies in issuing stock in return
or taxes paid shall not issue stock
which is not fully paid up in cash or
is equivalent. The house is now Civ
ng consideration to this measure.
Other bills granting railroad rights
20 the trolley lines have been taken
Up also.
Des Moines Army Post.
Among tho ffet bf1is passed ny the
legislature was the one authorizing
he city of Des Moines to loan $4,000
o its waterworks company in con-
liberation for the construction of wa
er mains from the city to the project
d army post, which is located two
niles south of the city. The bill passed
without any opposition and will enable
he federal government to proceed
With the work of constructing the
post Immediately. An appropriation
If $25o0oo for this purpose is availa-
Die and has been waiting expenditure
Tor year.
For Good Roads.
Senator Hobart's bill for the reor-
ganization of the road improvement
system has met with considerable IA
vor in both houses. He proposes to
abolish the present subroad districts
and to place the building of highways
in the hands of the county He pro-
vides for five-mill tax, optional, upon
counties-one mill to be raised for
general expenditure, except that that
part raised in cities shall be spent I'M
der the direction of the city councils,
and four mills, the proceeds of which
shall be expended by townships in pro-
portion to the sum raised by the town
ship. The board of supervisors will
retain control of the business of MAX
ing the roads, SO that it will be sys-
tematic and effective. Senator Ho-
bart believes that the passage of this
bill would result in giving the state
good roads Immediately, for it would
mean the businesslike expenditure of
the millions of dollars which are now
largely wasted.
To Perfect Titles.
The senate has passed the Healy bill,
legalizing the transfer of dover inter-
ests in real estate by the principal
spouse. Thousands of such transfers
are said to invalidate titles to the eX-
tent of the dover interest in Iowa.
The impression was common among
the people that husband could trans
fer his wife's interest in real esate if
he acted under power of attorney.
This has been held by the supreme
court to be an invalid transfer of this
interest. AS result, Senator Healy
proposed bill which would validate
such transfers, while at the same time
protecting the vested interests at
tanned by innocent purchasers.
Telephone Rates.
Several measures relating to the
control of telephone companies and
their lines have been considered by
the legislature at this session. Repre-
sentative Sweeley has introduced
number of them, and several warm
contests have arisen concerning them