Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-01-09

semblies, there was submitted at the
general election of 1904 the constitu-
tional amendment to bring about BIZ
enniai instead of annual elections. The
amendment was adopted by the
electors and due proceedings were had
to make 1t a part Of the organic law
of the state. The only concern that
we now have with regard to the
amendment is the adjustment of our
statutes SO that they will conform to
the constitution, as it now exists
There are many sections of the code
which will require amendment.
ination Of the subject, and have
collected a list of the sections that
must be changed. 1t is probably in
complete, but such as Is I will glad
~ deliver it to the committee that
will be entrusted with the work. 1t
would avail nothing at this moment to
recite these sections, and therefore
is the necessity of bringing the code
into harmony with the constitution
and so careful and thorough must the
Investigation be, that take the lib
erty of recommending that the work
be given to a special committee in
each branch of the assembly.
One effect of the amendment will be
to bring into office all elective officers
at the same time. So far as the state
is concerned, do not think this is
especially objectionally, but do be-
lteve that in the counties it will be
found to be q serious obstacle in the
way Of efficient management. Two
remedies have been proposed. First,
to make the terms of office generally
four years instead of two, so that q
part Of our of1iciary will be elected in
one biennial period and q part In the
succeeding period, just as they have
heretofore been elected In alternate
years. Another remedy to meet the
trouble that may arise in the coufl-
ties is that, although elected at the
same time, the terms be made to be-
gin at different times in the year, and
thus preserve a measure Of continuity
and experience. have reached no
settled conclusion upon these remed-
les, and therefore express no opin-
ion. only say that the difficulty Is
q real one. and should receive the
mature reelection of the general as
semly before any action is taken.
Hall of Archives for Records
The historical building will shortly
be completed and ready to receive
that part of our archives or records,
that the general assembly may desig-
nate. 1 believe that they should be
established in the building Hall Of
Archives, in which there shall be
placed, in methodical and systena-
tic way. a large portion of the rec
ords which are now in the capitol
building. There is no authority for
the transfer Of such records, nor for
theic proper custody in the new
building, and l recommend such leg
islation as shall set apart a suitable
room in the new building for this
purpose, and clearly describe the rec
ords that shall there be preserved. I
do not enter the detail of the SUBJ
ject. but bespeaS for it your careful
consideration.
Pure Food
have received from the secretary
of the department of agriculture the
report of the committee of the board
relating to pure food. The report
was adopted by the board of trustees,
with the request that consider it in
connection with my message. trans
init herewith q copy of the report,
together with the result of the in
vestigation of Prof. j. B. Weems,
whose services were engaged by the
committee, and also proposed bill
prepared by the board.
1t is obvious that our failure to en-
act restrictive legislation upon this
field .or those who deceive and in
jure the people through impure
and adulterated foods. The disclose
ures are not only startling, but
shocking. 1t is the manifest duty of
the general assembly to investigate
this subject at an early date. and
adopt such a measure as will protect
the people form the impositions and
frauds that are now practiced upon
them. 1t is wholly impossible for the
consumers of foods to protect them
selves, and therefore the state should
do for them what no one else can.