Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-12
IN IOWA:

| Dixie. Jan. l1.--The citizens here are
very much interested in the possible
outcome of the suit against this town
fer damages Instituted by p. A. Sc
quin, the ex-priest lecturer who was
handled so roughly by crowd of men
here a few weeks ago, who OBJ
iected 10 his expose of Roman Catholi-
cis:n. And sixteen farmers who, 1t is
alleged Were in the crowd at the tins
and took part In the proceedings also
have suits commenced against them
for damages, and as 1t is stated these
farmers represent about a million dol
lars worth OF property, judgments
against them are worth having. The
suit against the town is brought for the
failure CT the city marshal to protec,
him against the mob. The writer is
told that the marshal vas present in
the hall and at the depot when the al
legged ou,rages occurred. and his fall
ure to protect VIII be the basis OF the
suit. Against the farmers, individual
IS and collectively, the suits are for
personal damages, consisting. d Is
claimed. OF bodily INJURY. in the way of
broken ribs, bruises and personal in
suit. The public is familiar with the
case as reported In the T.-R. at the
time OF the occurrence. This eN-pidest
claimed THE right TO lecture ON this o..
any other subject; in other words,
claimed the right of free speech. But
IL must be admitted that his printed
program. containing a cut of young
and goodiooking prizes; listening 10 the
confessions of q young woman, and
thu ex-priest's comments on the sub
lect. were tremendously aggravating to
the Catholics. who consider such con-
fession not only a praisewocthy act, but
Il vital part OF their religion. Tom
Miner. of Belle Plaine, Is the prose
cutting attorney, and such case is
very much TO his liking, and one where
his peculiar talent viii have full scope.
Tha defense have engaged lawyers
from Grundy Center ard Waterloo. so
that the coming February term of court
a. Grundy Center will be of more than
ordinary interest.
The fire in the capitol building at
Des Mofnes brings out universal
statement of asto,fshrs ent that such
an extensive fire was possible in our
..iireproof' capitol. AMI with this goes
also a universal demand that when this
damaged wing is repaired that part
of the building Shall be absolutely fire
proof, II the legislature or the proper
" constituted authorities attempt any
penny wise and pound foolish repairs,
so that they can assume airs of econ-
omy In handling the money of the dear
people. they wiz act in opposition TO
the wishes of the people. Too much
property of the state Is stored
IN that building to make any repairs
that will make 1t possibl. for lighted
candle left by a careless workman. or
an electn!c wire not properly insulated,
10 cause repetition OF the disaster.
Again the people are now ready for
the state OF Iowa to inaugurate the
policy of dnsuring state buildings. OF
course this is after the horse is stolen. |
but the repeated losses during the past
lew years by fire. eliminating in this
damage to the capitol. have brought
,bout sentiment in favor of insuring
state property. II IS useless to tell the
people that the premiums necessarily |
oaid to the INSURANCE companies Will
n a few years probably amount to as
mitch as the fire losses during the same
period Good business mon argue If 1t |
3 a wise policy for them to insure. the |
same policy is a good one for the state |
IF Iowa.