Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-03-14
THE LEGISLATURE.


THE LEGISLATURE.
Des Moines, March S.-The senate
passed q resolution memorializng con-
gress to pass an act strengthening the
Interstate commerce commission.
There was no opposition. The Dill
creating a fire and ponce commission
to govern these departments on non
partisan basis in Des Moines was also
passed. Crawford's bill taking the
appointment OF water works trustees
in cities Of the first class out OF the
hands OF the judiciary and placing II
In the hands Of the mayor was passed
This bill applies to the cities Of Dur
buuue and Sioux City, and is passed as
result Of the recent supreme court
decision holding the old law uncon-
stitutional. Blanchard's bill provid-
ing for the condemnation OF fish way
and its erection in the Bonaparte dam
was passed. 1t was amended so as TO
provide for the governors approval OF
the award agreed upon with Meek
Bros, owners of the dam, in the con-
domination proceedings before the con-
tract Of the fish way Is binding on
the state. Courtright's bill providing
for a uniform bond for all public
officers was passed. The bill by Ball,
giving the City of Iowa City authority
to construct dam across the Iowa
river near the State University and to
convert the tract of land just across
the river from the university into
park, passed without opposition. Ad-
journed till Tuesday.
House.-The house passed large
number of bills Of minor Importance.
Adjourned till Monday.
Des Moines. March toulouse
Most OF the session was consumed IN
passing legalizing acts and minor
measures, only about sixty members
being present. A large number OF pc,
titions in favor of the standard insur-
ance policy bill were introduced ny
different members. Black OF Mills
filed a motion to reconsider the vote
by which the house passed the bill to
authorize the granting to the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy Railroad COM
pany, it's successors or assigns, right
of way through lands owned by the
state and used by the institution for
the feeble minded children at Glen
wood.
Des Moines, March 11.--Senate.-
BY vote of 33 to the senate passed
the ways and means committee bill
for the taxation of railroad property
on basis of stocks and bonds, net
and gross earnings and physical con-
dition. The measure requires pub
licity of the records of the executive
council in making the assessment and
it's reasons for reaching results. Sen
ator Porter moved to substitute the
Nichols stocks and bonds law of Ohio,
but this was defeated 112 to 33. He
then moved to amend to make the
provision relating to the clause to
compel the council to publish the
valuation of stocks and bonds and It's
reasons for diviatiOn therefrom IN
making the assessment. 1t was lost
by viva voce vote after refusal OF the
subcommittee to explain the language
Of the bill. Senator Porter's amend
ment to require the council to pup.
lish the assessed value per mile OF
each road, the value per mile on the
different bases-gross and net earn
ings, physical condition and stocks
and bonds bases-was lost by a viva
voce vote. Senator Hayward propos.
ed an amendment, which was lost, to
SLllAS OuL SuS SSSIiOA AOAoIAAS SS=ose'
pertaining the stocks and bonds value.
Addresses in favor of the committees
measure was made by Senators Lewis,
Hubbard and Junlin.
House.-Represent Timothy
Donahue, of O'Brien county, proposed
resolution of sympathy for the Eng
lish in their defeat last Friday and
the capture of General Methuen by
the Beers. This resolution followed
upon the heels of the defeat of the au-
thor's resolution of sympathy for the
Beers. The house committee on rail
roads voted to report for passage the
Carter bill reducing the passenger
fare on railroads in Iowa to 2 cents a
mile, and to report without recommen-
dation the Donahue bill to require
railroads to furnish all public officials
with passes. The house defeated a
bill to eliminate the circle from the
top of tickets on the official ballot
at Iowa elections. A bill passed the
house creating a board of examiners
for opticians. Blacks bill, providing
for the election of supervisors by the
whole county and abolishing super
visor districts, was taken UP. The
committee substitute for the bill pro.
vided that rs per cent OF the votes in
each district must petition for the
change. Sweeley offered an amend
ment giving Is per cent of the people
Of the entire county the power to com.
pei an election. Wise offered an
amendment to the amendment provid-
ing that 25 per cent of the voters in
a majority of the districts may de-
mand an election. Wise's amendment
was lost Sweeleys amendment was
lost. The committee substitute
passed.
Des Moines, March 12.-Senate.-
The senate took up the Mo1esberry
bill, giving Iowa railway companies
the right to issue bonds in excess Of