Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-12-17
LOCAL COMMENT

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With about foot Of snow genuine
old fashioned winter Is upon u.s. and all
danger of a green Christmas is past.
The average person always has
dread of snow, more on account Oh the
first inconvenience than any other rea-
son, but after 1t is here nearly every
one Is glad. Snow in this country IS
seasonable at this time OF year, ana
without it business conditions are
bound to be affected, and the pupi1c
health is not so good. The present
snow fall reminds one Of elden days,
when it was not an uncommon slgnt
in mid-winter to see snow terrace
deep.
The fact that the winter has been so
mild up to within a few weeks of the
holiday season has affected, business
generally. Merchants have been COM
planning because seasonable goods uld
not move. and because the weather
was so fine the farmers could not De
induced to give up outdoor work. a
good snow is stimulus to business
and it is just what is wanted by all
classes.
If the price Of corn becomes lower
and touches 80 cents or better, 1t IS
claimed by feeders of the county that
there will be good many cattle led
by farmers of the county this winter.
Following the IRIS announcement OF
a sale Of 1000 bushels at 80 cents,
Missouri feeder has written the T.
r. asking for information that VIII
enable him to buy at the same figure.
Last year and the year before the
heavy feeders Of Marshall county were
compelled to send to Missouri for much
of their corn. From the present indi-
cations it would seem that Missouri
wanted to come to Iowa this year for
the staple food that produces good
beef. Without cheaper corn here, how
ever, there will probably be but few
cattle fed, as the experiences of feed
ers, during the past few years, have
been such that they are not willing to
assume the risks incident to feeding
with 40 and 50-cent corn.
The appointment of Robert McMains
by the city council, as councilman
from the Fourth ward, meets with the
general approval, not only OF the
Fourth ward constituency, but of the
entire city as well. 1t is doubtful II
a better selection could have been
made. and it is to be hoped that MI.
McMains will see fit to become a cam
dLdate to succeed himslf at the spring
election. Mr.. McMains has been a
resident Of the city for quarter of
century, and since 1876, has been en-
ployed as an engineer on the Iowa Cen
trail. His integrity and honesty have
never been questioned, and he has the
general respect and confidence OF all
who know him.
The fact that the Reflector has re-
fused further city business, and has
given up it's contract for the official
publication Of legal notices, because
of Mr.. Henry's official connection with
the council, is an indication that a
change of heart has been experienced
as to the legality of the transaction be-
tween the city and a firm that has as
a member one who Is on the council
The action of the Reflector also indi-
Gates a victory for Councilman Sieg,
of the Sixth ward, who, since his cleo
ton to the council, has been object
ing to all bills allowed to such firms,
and to substantiate his claims in the
council has filed legal actions against
all such firms, even so far as to seek
to have them pay back to the city all
monies heretofore paid on city con-
tracts.
Councilman Webster's new ordinance
introduced in the council this week,
which calls for the establishment of
the position of city electrician, and
defining the duties Of the office. will
undoubtedly meet with the hearty ap-
prevail of the council. Mr.. Webster, in
his ordinance, seeks to institute a. more
rigid enforcement of all matters per-
tanning to electric wiring, and would
have the officer delegated with such
powers inspect each new building
where wires are to be laid, also go
over the wired buildings of the city at
stated intervals, seeing that all wires
are properly insulated, free from dan
ger in crosses, and in such condition
that they are not likely to start fires.
Mr.. Webster claims that much careless
work is likely to be done In cities
where such inspection is not made, and
with the work done under the direction
Of the city he believes that cheap cleo
trical concerns will no longer make
Marshalltown dumping ground for
inferior goods, which could not be
placed In cities where an inspector is
located.
with nv E,eermayer's announcement
the city election campaign can be said
to be on. 1t is now practically certain
that the campaign will be a spirited
one and will revolve about several
clearly defined issues. The present
city council has been aggressive and
has made increased expenditures for
city Improvement. These expenditures
will be up for criticism and defense.