Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-03-30

panies to furnish stock shippers with
passes according to the amour. Of
stock shipped. The companies agreed
to this and it was also agreed to in
clude provision that cabooses be
fitted up with toilet rooms by the first
OF next year. In that shape the bill
came to the senate and was referred
to the railroad committee. Senator
Bruce, who has had a bill before the
committee which includes a provision
for the expeditions shipment of stock,
offered an amendment to the house
bill providing that return passes
should be good for sixty hours, in
stead of thirty-siX as in the original
bill; also making it the duty of roads
carrying live stock "to receive, trans
port and deliver at destination all
live stock rendered to it for shipment,
promptly. eXpeditiously and with all
reasonable dispatch, and for any fail
ure so to do such common carrier
shall be liable to any party injured for
all damages sustained by reason there
Of" This amendment was referred
to subcommittee of the senate com.
mittee on railroads, and Senator Bruce
says if it does not receive favorable
consideration by the committee. he
will ask for hearing on the floor in
support of it.
Stock Shippers Satisfied.
The committee of stock shippers,
who have been here representing the
interests of that class while the vari-
Gus bills were under discussion,
seemed to be fairly we'll satisfied with
the result in the house. They stated
that the arrangements for stock ship
pers' passes would probably save to
the shippers of the state OF Iowa at
least 100000 per year, and while
they would have been glad had the
legislature passed some bill requiring
expeditions transportation Of stock,
yet they felt they had secured an i'm
portant concession aud, on the whole,
were we'll pleased.
The committee which has had in
charge the preparation of drainage
bill has been contending with the con-
stitutional question, which rendered
the former law on this subject nuga.
tory. The point raised by the court
was the TAX. lg of private property for
public use in constructing ditch
across one mans land to drain water
from the premises of another. Unless
~ itrt no oI,on oo
to give the right of eminent domain,
it is believed by many that no drain.
age law which will be effective or ben
eficial can be enacted. For that rea,
son it is probable that a constitu-
tional amendment will be proposed to
remedy the situation.
The Chassell bill which made the
present road law optional, passed the
house by small majority, but was
defeated in committee in the senate.
This probably ends any modification Oh
the road laws this session.
Pass Juvenile Court Bill.
Among the most important meas.
ures from a humanitarian standpoint
which has been considered during the
session was the juvenile court bill. in.
troduced by Senator Durham, and
passed by the senate without opposi.
ton.
An important bill which passed the
senate was one by Newberry, provid.
ing for the appointment by the boards
Of supervisors of skilled accountant
as an examiner OF county officers. II
was made his duty to examine without
notice and at irregular intervals the
Offices of treasurer, auditor and clerk
at least once year and at other times
If ordered by the board of supervisors
His report is to be filed and published
in the proceedings of the board and a
copy filed with the state auditor The
executive council is also instructed to
prepare a uniform method of book.
keeping for county auditors and coun.
ty treasurers, to be adopted by them
not later than Jan. /, 1905.
A bill by Senator Ericsson has been
passed making any one who malicious.
ly Injuries any book. paper, periodical,
picture, chart or other article belong.
ing to any public library punishable by
fine not exceeding 500 or imprison.
ment not to exceed thirty days.
Both houses have passed a resolu.
ton memorializing congress for an
amendment to the federal constitution
to provide for the election of United
States senators by direct vote Of the
people.
Bills have been passed making II
larceny to take without permission
electric currents or water or gas from
mains or wires and making it a fel.
ony to destroy or tamper with cleo.
trio wires or gas or water mains or
meters or to obstruct electric line
Liquor Bill is Beaten.
The house committee on suppress.
sion of intemperance. which has had
under consideration the state marshal
bill has decided to recommend it for
indefinite postponement. The vote in
committee stood 10 for indefinite post
ponement and for passage of the
bill. The committee also recommend
ed for indefinite postponement the bills
proposed by the Retail Liquor Deal
orc, accOciotiOn aclyinp that coloopc