Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-02-29
DITCH LEGISLATION
Expected That the Matter Of Drainage
Will Come to a Head In Legislature
This Week-cumminss Presided To.
day-Guard Deficit Provided For.

Speaial to Times as-Republicaf1.
Des Moines, Feb. es-Ti1e house met
this afternoon and resolutions We're
adopted In honor Of the late John F.
Duncombe, Of FIT. Dodge Speaker Pro
Tenn Cummings was in the chair and
appointed English and Koetz as a COM
mittee to buy chair and gavei for the
speaker.
What is regarded by very many
members OF the iowa legislature as the
most important matter OF general legis-
lation contemplated this year-the
drainage and ditch legislation-will
probably come to a head within week.
A number OF bills were introduced bear-,
ing on the subject and great variety of
proposals have been considered. 1t was
realization OF the Importance OF this
probable legislation that induced the
presiding officers to name number Of
the best men OF the legislature on the
Agricultural committees. These COM
mittees have taken the various bills on
drainage topics and have put Joint
subcommittee at work sitting out all
the good points and preparing bill
that will represent the best judgment Of
the legislature. This subcommittee has
taken the Hague bill OF the
senate a. foundation. 1t pro-
vldes for a general system of
drainage, for bitches running through
townships and counties. II necessary.
ana for creation OF drainage districts
10 be taxed for pay Of the ditches, and
a method OF having these drainage dis
t,icts declared and set of in legal
manner and commissioners appointed
10 engineer the work. and for surveys
and contracts and maintenance OF the
ditches. The greatest obstacles to be
overcome are those 81 the constitution
or the traditions Of the courtA hence
good lawyers have been placed on the
sub-committee TO consider carefully the
Law points. The sub committee has on
the part OF the senate. Senators Hogue,
courtright, Bruce, Gilliland and others.
while Representative Wright heads the
delegation from the other side. The
committee has had before Il Prof. Ash
baugh and Prof. Stevenson Of the state
college, Judge Oliver. Williams,
Mcfarland and others, OF Mon
ona county; and p. A. Sawyer.
of sioux City. who Is in the employment
OF the state drainage association and
will remain to present the views Of the
association on the subject. The sub
committee is taking the Hosue bin and
considering it section by section and
making amendments thereto. Its gem
.eral purport has all been preserved in
the amendments thus far suggested,
and 1t is believed by the members of =
committee that when the bill is brought
out on the floor as sub committee bill
II will be as near perfect as any such
complicated and difficult piece OF legis-
lation can we'll be until after it has
stood the test of experience to develop
weaknesses. A. any rate the members
say they are giving it their best
thought.
The bill which provided for an ap-
preparation of $4,000 with which to
square up deficit in the funds of
the national guard has aiready become
A law. There was no opposition to this
appropriation All that was necessary
was FOR those interested to appear be-
fore the right committees and explain
the meaning OF the bill. The legisla-