Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-01-23
They Are Not In Favor of the
Redistricting Bill Proposed
By Cummings
BILL CAUSES MUCH COMMENT
1t Would Restore the Districts to Their
Natural Position and Make PopuIa-
ton in Each More Nearly Equal =
Congressman Cousins May Come to
Des Moines to Investigate.
LBy Ora Williams.l
Shccial to eS-Republican.

y,
was introduced yesterday to make 4
change in the dividing line between
the Second and the Fifth congressional
districts and to put the Second district
especially into presentable shape,
caused good deal of comment. 1t
was pointed out that the bin restores
the four counties of Jones, Cedar,
johnson and Iowa to their normal posi-
ton in the districts and to that which
they held prior to the last redistrict-
ing. 1t also makes the two distEicts
a good deal moro nearly of the same
population than they are now. The
last redistricting was just twenty years
ago and it followed Immediately after
the taking of the state census of the
previous year. AS everyone knows the
primary purpose of the state was 20
effect a gerrymander so as to group
the strong democratic counties into one
district and to thus make one demo-
cratic district. But In so doing dis
trict was made which has long been
an eNesore to all Iowa people Now
that the state census has shown that
there is great discrepancy between the
districts as to population there can be
little excuse for continuing the old
form OF the districts. The bill was in
troduced by Mr.. Cummings of Mar
shall 1t is in the form like the old
districting bill save as to the four
counties-Cedar, and Jones going into
the Second district and Johnson and
Iowa into the Fifth.
Senators Hughes and Hayward both
of the Second district discussed the
bill briefly as soon as it was present.
ed. Neither cared to say just what
might be it's fate. Years ago" said
Senator Hughes, Il felt chagrinei
when the state of Mississippi was
gerrymandered and the so-called
'shoe-string district was made by the
democrats; but / had to admit that
my own party did quite as badly in
Iowa when it made the Second dis
trict in it's present shape. / did not
like it. The scheme was wrong.
don't know whether this is the time
to correct it or not
A Second district member of the
house predicted that the democrats
would all soidly oppose the bill on the
ground that it would have a tendency
to make the Second district republican,
whereas they expect to carry the dis
t,ct next year if it remains as at pres
emit Even the republicans admit that
the district went for Judge Wade last
time and that only because of the
wrong method of counting the vote was
it possible to have a solid republican
delegation to congress. 1t is believed
that the democrats might be able to
secure sufficient help from some of
the republicans of the Legislature to
effect defeat of the bill and thus make
it pretty certain that Congressman
Dawson will have but one term in Of
flee. But the friends of Dawson, and
he has many in the state, will unite
in favor of having the change made.
1t is surmised that possible Con-
gresham Cousins will manifest some
interest in the situation and he may
even come to Des Moines to look after
the matter. It would leave him over
in the Second district where he would
have to contest the younger member
who now represents the district for the
nomination.
There has been some talk of a posi-
tricts of the state and at least one
of congress has written some
letters to members explaining his
views at length and asking that he be
kept informed as to what is doing.
Thus far no bill looking to a general
change has been presented. 1t will be
recalled that two years ago and foTr
years ago, when the excuse for a
change was much less than now. eff
forts We're made by a number of per-
sons to bring about a general rear
of the districts of the state.
The Cummings bill, which aims at
only one change and that one so OBJ
viously that no real objection can be
made, stands good chance of becom-
ing a law.
Representative Offil, of Jasper, intro
duced a bill to further regulate the
running of automobiles. This reduces
the maximum speed of motors on coun-
try roads from twenty miles an hour
to sixteen miles an hour. 1t requires
that motor be stopped within 100 feet
of an approaching team or herd of
animals instead of merely that a sig
nal be displayed as a warning. 1t also
requires that where q motor overtakes
a vehicle warning Shall be given in due
time. II had an experience last sum-
mer," says Mr.. Offil (which showed
the necessity for some additional legis-
lation. | was driving herd of cattle
along the road when one of those
things approached; the driver didn't
stop, but went right on and thru my
herd. and the animals scattered into
the adjoining fields. This is a sample
of what is happening under the present
law. What We want is a law that will
require the driver Of motor wagon to
stop when he meets a team or some
animals"
Representative English has received
a letter from Charles f. Saylor. gov
eminent expert in beet sugar, not at
Pasadena where he spends the winters,
urging that he introduce and foster a
bill to provide for the removal of the
remains of Alexander Scott to some
suitable cemetery, and that the state
erect a monument over his grave. Scott
was the man who gave to the state the
ground on which the capitol building
is located. He is buried on the bluffs
lust south of the capitol, and his grave
is practically unknown and unmarked
Mr.. SAVIOR suggests that the Saylor-
vile cemetery would provide a suitable
lot. but that the grave should he in a
place in one of the Des
Moines cemeteries. This is something
which has been from time to time urg-