Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-04-12
IH|RI|[IH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY ADUOURNS
The Closing Hour of the Legis-
lative Session Was Fixed
For Noon Today
GOVERNOR TO CONSIDER BILLS
Bills Passed in the Last Three Days
Will Not Become Laws Unless he
Signs Them-some Doubt About
Measures Relating to the Sale OF
Islands in the Border Rivers.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, April 12.-The Thirtieth
General Assembly closed today, one
day later than the session of two years
ago, which commenced two days earl
Ter. The present session had fewer
days Of actual work than any session
for long time There was much de-
lay at the start because Of the fire In
the capitol few days before the be-
ginning of the session.
The closing days Of the session have
been much like the end OF other legisla-
tive sessions-the conferences and dis
agreements and the efforts to patch up
peace between the houses and between
contending elements; the waiting and
worry and the final effort to rush thru
some petty matters. But aside from the
final settlement Of appropriations there
has been little to arouse feeling among
the members. The appropriations
made will take somewhere in the neigh
borhood Of $2,300,000 for the biennial
period. The members believe that the
tax levy can be kept down to 3 mills
for both of the years of the period,
but this will mean a slight reduction
in the treasury balance at the end II
the period. But Iowa has been carry
ing q balance Of over million dollars
In case for some years and the mem
bers believe it would be a pretty good
thing to cut 1t down.
The closing hour was fixed for noon
today, but the moon" Of the last leg
islatlve day usually lasts until late
IL the evening or perhaps, into the
night
Unusually cold weather the past few
weeks has made 1t easier for the men,
bers TO remain to the close and attend
to business. Usually the warm sun
shine starts the legislators homewari
but this time the weather has remained
very bad right up to the closing day.
The farmers have not been restless
as they usually are before getting away
and now they can return to their homes
in comfort and peace.
The social features Of the session
have been rather meager, and mem.
bers who love to mingle in society
have had but little opportunity at this
time.
The closing of the legislative session
was taken up largely with efforts to
ton for restoring the state capitol after
IL a. NJ ~. p,,< =
cept the senate bill, which appropriated
$4,000 for restoration and $4,000 for
other purchases Of repair. and had cur
it down to $4,000. then to 100000 to-
day. Conferences were named and at
the noon hour these conferences We're
at work on the bill trying to settle th..
matter while the two houses were
taking a recess and this Is the only
question not yet disposed of. The con-
ferrees decided unanimously on rec
the full $20S,00O, but
striking out the provision to raise the
amount by special mileage tax. At
o'clock it was greatly feared not
enough members would be in their seats
to pass any bill and thus the entire
work of the repair Of the capitol would
be stopped. Much routine work was
done.
The commission to report to the next
legislature on reform in management
of colleges was named-Messrs. Ken
dali, Whipple. Wright. Turnerm,
Lambert and Langan The commits
sion on indeterminate sentences and
Messrs. Temple, Saund-
er and Jones.
The bill authorizing the tax levy
passed. fixing the amount to be raised
for state purposes at 2 mills year.
which will mean practically mill
levy. The senate receded from it's po-
sition as to the ratio for representative
districts, leaving the house ratio to
stand. so there will be less than five
districts about which there is any
question of legality. A joint resolu-
ton authorizing the state auditor 10
examine insurance laws and report on
to the next legislature,
was passed.
The Governor will have thirty days
in which to consider all bills coming
to him that We're passed in the last
three days of the session. Before the
last three days bills that he did not
sign became laws on the expiration
Of ten days Now they will not become
laws unless he signs them. 1t is prob
able that he Will take copies of some,
Of the bills with him as he goes away
on a visit to consider them, unless
they are all signed tomorrow.
ess
Members of the Legislature We're
paid today. They received state war
rants for 1915 each. They had received
half their pay in February, and the
remainder was held until the hour fo-
was in sight.
The lawyers will probably get
chance to puzzle themselves over the
status of the Waterloo bill. The ac-
ton OF the house in reconsidering a
vote after the senate had accepted the
bill and passed it back for enrolment.