Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-04-20


Is 219 Measures Passed-Railroad
Legislation.
Des Moines, April 19.-The entire
amount of appropriations made by
the thirtieth general assembly, which
adjourned sine die on Tuesday last,
was $4,0S6,291.64. This includes not
only the extraordinary appropriations
for the various state institutions and
other purposes, but the regular appro-
priations provided by statute for the
expenses of the various state depart
ments.
To meet this large aggregate ap-
preparation, the ways and means COM
mittees introduced bills on the last
day of the session authorizing the
executive council to make a levy for
general state revenue which should
yield approximately 100000 for each
year of the next biennial period. This
amount added to the revenues of the
state from other sources will, it is
believed, more than cover the
amounts appropriated and leave sur
plus in the treasury. The present tax
able valuation of the property of the
state amounts to $637 100000 and a
S-mill tax levy on this valuation would
yield S1,911 900. This amount approx
imates so closely the 100000 asked
for by the committee for each years
that the committee assured the men,
bers of the legislature there would be
no need whatever of increasing the
levy for general state revenue be-
yond the present mills.
Clock Hands Set Back.
The most important matter that
was considered on the last day of the
session was the appropriation for the
reconstruction of the house wing Of
the capitol and an additional sum to
be expended under the board of cap
itol commissioners for improvements
and repairs in and about the building.
The senate bill provided $126,000 for
reconstructing the part of the capitol
injured by fire, in an entirely up-to-
date and fire proof manner. 1t also
appropriated So, 1000 in addition to the
SUM already appropriated for repairs
and improvements to the building
The house struck out all but 100000
for the reconstruction work. Confer
ence committees were appointed, the
clocks were stopped so that the legis-
lative day should not extend beyond
the hour of 1900 o'clock noon as
specified in the resolution for adjourn
ment, and both houses went into re-
cess to await results. Along about
o'clock the conference committees
agreed to report in favor of the
amounts in the senate bill, s20S000.
The house at first refused to accept
the report of the committee, but it
was finally agreed to by both houses,
and the thirtieth general assembly
passed into history.
1t is expected that the amount ap-
propriated for reconstruction of the
house wing is sufficient to make that
part of the building as nearly fire
proof as modern methods provide.
Record for the Session.
During the thirtieth general assem-.
bly, there were 1852 bills introduced in
the house and 345 in the senate, max.
ing total of S07. or this number
81 senate bills and 1872 house bills
were passed, together with ten joint
resolutions, making total of 21S
measures which ran the gauntlet and
will become laws.
The twenty-ninth general assembly
passed 260 bills and joint resolutions
or forty-one more than were passed
by the general assembly just closed
Among the laws passed by the thir
tieth general assembly there are few
comparatively, which affect the state
at large. Probably the most import
ant in its general effect is the drain
age law.
In addition to this law, a joint reso
luton was adopted for an amendment
to the constitution empowering the
legislature to enact laws permitting
the owners Of land to construct
drains, bitches, levees, providing fol
the organization of drainage districts
the assessment of costs upon proper
~ benefited thereby, and permitting
condemnation of land for that pur
pose.
Important Measures Adopted.
Other important measures which
were adopted, provide for the estab
lishment of an inebriate home al
Knoxville; makes the maximum pun
ishment for assault with intent t.
commit murder thirty years; prohibits
docking horses; prohibits trap shoot
ing at live birds; makes it crime
punishable by Imprisonment in the
penitentiary, to steal chickens a.
night from an enclosure; makes It Z
crime to malicisusly injure any cleo
trio, gas or water plant or apparatus
or to take with intent to defraud an.
electric current or gas or water
from pipes, wires or other apparatu!
belonging to any light or water plant
makes it a misdemeanor to wantonl,
mutilate or deface any newspaper
book, periodical or picture belonging
to any public library; provides tina
corporations in whose name the wore
trust" appears shall have capital NJ
less than savings banks; requirin.
telegraph and telephone lines to fill