Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-01-20


| original builders, for ideas Of con-
| struction have changed materially
since this building was erected. Chair
man Funk of the capitol commission.
which body will undoubtedly have
| charge of the reconstruction of this
wing says that it could be put back
| in the condition it was before the fire
| for probably about 100000 to $780,
900, but to make it as nearly fireproof
as possible, according to up-to-date
| ideas. will require the expenditure OF
considerably more, possibly 100000
| to $250,000. The governor recon-
mends that it be made fireproof and
that seems to be the judgment of the
members of the legislature. The first
| bill passed by both houses and signed
| by the governor. appropriated $4,000
| for payment of incidental expenses
contracted during the fire and also for
| the temporary repairs SO that after the
recess the house can meet in it's own
| chamber. These temporary repairs
consisting of canvas ceiling and the
| hiding of the other marks of the fire
with canvas, will make the chamber
comfortable and it is proposed that as
soon as the session closes the perma-
| nent reconstruction will be COM
| menced.
Inauguration of Governor Cummins.
The inaugural ceremonies took
| place at Fosters opera house on
Thursday afternoon and were largely
attended. A novel feature of the pa
rade which preceded the exercises
was the presence of two companies OF
colored troops of the regular army.
who headed the military escort.
The inaugural address of Governor
| Cummins was conceded by all to be
| one of the most fOrceful and ably-pre-
| pared papers ever contributed to that
collection of state papers of which
Iowa can boast. 1t was accepted by
many as indicating somewhat rad
ical change in the so-called Iowa
idea" but all were forced to admit
that il was clear cut, comprehensive
and stamped with the personality of
the governor
Definition Of Reciprocity.
| The definition of reciprocity as
| given by the governor attracted con-
siderable attention and comment and
| is liable to be commented on beyond
the borders of the state. He said:
| mo one will assert with serious
ness that we can secure in any for
eign country any substantial advant-
age upon the consideration Of the free
admission of non-competitive commo-
dities. This view hardly rises to the
| dignity of delusion. and my observa-
ton is that it is mere cloak to con-
ceal opposition to any trade arrange
ment whatever. and to any disturb
ance of existing laws.
THE other opinion of reciprocity
which, as read history. has been
held and advocated by every states
man who really wanted to accomplish
something in that direction, is that if
we can make an international bargain
that will. upon the whole. increase the
value of our production, and, there
fore. put more men at work with our
standard of compensation, we ought
to do it, even though some particular
manufacturer might suffer in the
| transaction"
This topic was perhaps the keynote
of the political portion of the govern
or's address. Earlier in the address
he took occasion to say that he did
not think the people of Iowa fully APP
preciated their position, and said that
no matter how much the makers of ar
ticles which people were not COM
PEELED to buy might suffer by strin-
gent times, so long as people must eat
the business Of Iowa would never per
| ish nor seriously languish.
| The governor was very earnest in
his advocacy of reciprocity with Gen.
| trail and South American states and
with foreign countries and urged that
| it is to the interest of the farmers of
Iowa that such arrangements be
made. In closing this part Of his ad-
dress. he said:
"lowa has been faithful to the pol
| icy of protection and she is still as
| true as the needle to the pole. The
benefits she has derived have been
very great, but largely incidental.
The time has come for her to raise
high into the political heavens the
twin fiag-reciprocity. Let us for
season take the direct advantages
and allow the incidental blessings to
fall upon Others"
Legislature Takes Recess.
After the close of the inaugural
| ceremonies. the legislature met again
in the capitol and listened to the an
nouncement of the committees of both
houses and then adjourned. to meet
on Tuesday. Jan 26 This recess was
for the purpose Of giving time for the
completion of the temporary repairs
| to the house wing. While the house
members have been very comfortable
| In the senate chamber, the senate has
been crowded into committee room
and 1t was thought best to wait until
| the house could resume its sittings in
| its own chamber. The capitol com
mission assured the members that by
| the 26th the house wing would be
ready for occupancy. Meanwhile a
committee consisting Of Senators
Lewis Haytag and Lambert and Rem