The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-03-06
NOTES FROM THE CAPITAL
Des Moines, March 4, 1902.

Des Moines, March 4, 1902
The senate committee on schools
decided to recommend for indefinite
postponement the Hazelton bill pro-
viding for compulsory free text books
In all the schools of the state. The
bill was not discussed at any great
length, it being the unanimous opin-
ION OF the members of the commit
tee that such a measure was imprac-
t1cable at this time. The compulsory
education bill by Durham, which
passed the house, was referred to a
subcommittee composed of Senators
Trewin, Lister and Ball Several rep
resentatives of the German Lutheran
church appeared before the commit
tee and expressed themselves as sat
isfied with the bill as it now is.
Among them was the Rev. Paul Bred
oW. OF Bremen county, who expressed
his entire appreciation of the measure
as it stands
The rapidity with which the bill
changing the date of assessing rail
way and express companies from
March until July passed both houses
dication that the members of the leg
islature are in favor of giving the ex-
ecutive council all the opportunity
possible to make equitable assess
ments. The council will now have the
returns from the assessment of real
estate before it in making the railway
assessment whereas in the past it has
always been compelled TO make esti-
m9faS from, tho Nf f1o
vious year. Both Governor Shaw and
Governor Cummins earnestly recon-
mended the passage of such a law,
and it's reasonableness was apprec-
lated by every member of the legis-
against it in either house. Only one
small question arose in the consider
alton of the bill, and that was relative
to the working out of the road tax.
1t was thought for a time that the
road tax had to be worked out by
September 1. but upon closer exam
November 1. This gives ample time
for the railroads to work cut their
road tax after the assessment is made,
il they desire.
SECRETARY lJdNlSOll vi lllG SACCullN0
council has received the report O: the
Chicago, st. Paul & Omaha road,
allied with the Northwestern system.
1t is the first of the roads to make
complete report on the list of supple
mental questions propounded by the
executive council on the different
classes of gross earnings and other
matters. All the formalities prere-
mi c,itn 70 M, 81 L.,
extending to the second Monday in
July the time for fixing the railway
and express assessment have been
complied with. The measures have
been published and are now laws.
The auditor of the state has made
the annual apportionment of the in
terest on the school fund, and it has
been certified to county auditors.
With the statement there has been
sent an order on each county treas
urer to make the necessary transfer
of the excess or deficiency. If there
is an excess it will be transferred to
the state revenues. and if there is
deficiency there will be transfer
from the state revenue to the school
fund interest account sufficient to
make it good. The total of the school
fund is $4.752,955.21. The apportion-
ment of the interest on this among
the 735,159 Children shown to be of
school age by the school census al
lows each child ID and 56-1O0 cents,
Slightly less than the amount of last
year, owing to the reduction in the
interest rate. Winnebago county, &C
cording to the figures of the auditor,
had the largest amount of the school
fund on hand. total of 100000.
Scott and Clinton had none Polk
county held $27,564.0S. A number of
the large counties held but little, Linn
county, for instance, having but $S15
Governor Cummins has signed the
dill making an appropriation of $1,000
for the fumigation of the reservation
of the Tama tribe and for the replace
ment of tepees and other property
that will have to be burned in order
to destroy the small pox germs. In
addition to this. the governor sent a
message to w. A. Jones of Washing
ton, commissioner of Indian affairs,
stating the action taken by the Iowa
authorities.
The woman suffraglStS are not go
ing to give up their efforts to secure
the passage of the joint resolution by
the house. Mrs. Nelson, state secre-
tary of the Iowa Equal Suffrage as
ISOLATION, when asked about the mat
ter. said: I'VE intend to keep right on
working, just as if the house commit
tee on constitutional amendments had
reported the resolution favorably, and,
although the action of this commit
tee was not altogether pleasing or
favorable to us, we do not believe
that it has wholly prejudiced the
house against our cause. In fact, a
good many members have told us
that they disapproved of the action of
the committee. and, while they are
opposed to suffrage, they do not favor
few men trying to control the situa,
ton. With these parties we believe
the action of the committee has helped
us rather than hurt us. 1t is not usual
for a committee in the house to so
unceremoniously dispose Of message
from the senate. We believe that we
SIT cfo CHI oP