Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-02-28

by the state board of examiners, of
whom the state superintendent Is
chief. First class certificates issued
under the law are good for three
years, with the privilege of renewal
without denomination, and are good
in any county in the state, no matter
where secured The bill carries an
appropriation of $4,000 a year, but
its defenders declared this appropria-
ton would not be needed, or at least
i, not all of it, in order to carry out the
provisions of the act.
crossley Bill Now Up.
The Crossley primary election bill
came up for discussion in open ses-
sion of the state senate for the first
time yesterday. 1t was the intention
of the author of the measure to have
the order for the bill fixed for last
Wednesday, but out of consider
alton for members who desired to be
in attendance when the bill came up,
and who were forced to be away dur
ing the latter part of the week, the
date was postponed at the last mo-
ment.
In presenting the measure to the
senate Mr. Crossley went carefully
through its provisions. He said he
recognized that the bill was not per-
feet, that it might not have all the
beneficial effects its supporters hoped
for, but he believed it was move in
direction toward which the eyes and
hearts of the people were turned, and
he believed it would accomplish much
good. He told of the great amount Of
time which he and the members of
the elections committee had spent in
preparation of the measure and in
discussion and consideration of its
features, and for himself and the 9TH
ers he declared that all had worked
conscientiously to produce a bill
which, If enacted into law, would have
salutary effect on party politics and
party nominations.
The opposition to the bill it was
evinced is based chiefly on the fact
that it does not provide for majority
nominations. 1t was recalled that in
January, 1904, Governor Cummins. in
his message to the legislature, advo-
Gated primary election law, as he
does today, but then he said the great
est objection he found to measures
adopted by other states was that they
provided for plurality nominations, in
stead OF majority. The governor
then declared this provision weak
ness, because it prevents the exercise
of second choice, which he thought
was ofttimes of great value. The
governor then advocated the preser-
walton of the delegate convention, and
in case no candidate received a ma.
jority of the votes cast the convention
could work out their second choice.
This year the governor is favoring a
plurality nomination, such as the
Crossley bill provides.
Senator Saunders Of Council Bluffs
has prepared substitute bill, which
he will endeavor to pass in place Of
the Crossley measure. The substitute
simply provides for the nomination Of
county and city officials by direct
primary and the election OF county
delegates in the same way. 1t is a
majority measure.
1t is likely the primary bill will have
the right of way in the senate until it
is disposed Of.
Child Labor Bill Favored.
The child labor bill, which has been
asked for from several Iowa legisla-
lures, bids fair to become a law be-
fore the adjournment of the present
assembly. The bill, which was pre-
pared by the committee on labor as a
substitute for the one drafted and in
troduced by Representative Hart Of
Allamakee, was passed by the house
with practically unanimous vote in
its favor. 1t provides against the en-
ployment Of any child under fourteen
years of age In any mine. quarry,
manufacturing establishment, factory.
mill. workshop, laundry or packing
house. in such rooms where machin-
cry is operated or where conditions
are dangerous, or in a store or mer-
camille establishment where eight or
more persons are employed or in the
operation of any freight or passenger
elevator. No person under sixteen
years of age can be employed at any
work or occupation In which the
health of such person may be injured
or his morals depraved, and no female
under sixteen years of age can be en-
ployed in any capacity where her
work compels her to remain constant.
ly standing.
No person under sixteen years OF
age, under the provisions OF the bill.
can be employed at any Of the places
or in any of the occupations named
before the hour OF 6 o'clock In the
morning or after the hour of o'clock
In the evening.
It was agreed to take adjournment
from tomorrow to March 6 to permit
members to go home to participate In
the many municipal elections which
are to take place.
GEORGE GALLARNO.