Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-03-21

ures proposed for enactment than to-
ward the passage OF bills.
There lave been but iifty-seven
measures sent to the governor for ap.
proyal by the present body M to the
present time, and oil these fully twen-
ty are legali2ing acts correcting the
work of some city council or OF the
boards of supervisors in various sec
tions of the state. The only law of
real state wide Importance that has
been adopted is that known as the
pure food act. Among the matters of
Importance yet 10 be disposed of by
the legislature are the child labor bill,
and the measures for regulating the
tenure of office under the biennial
amendment, creating a single board of
regents for the educational institl-
lions of the state. enactinr Il reappor-
tionment bill under the 1906 census
for congressional, senatorial, judicial
and representative districts, disposing
of the proposition for the appointment (
OF q life insurance investigation COM
mission, disgessiindg Of the proposed
,a24lsuay closing law, and the passing
of the necessary appropriation bills
for the conduct of the institutions of
the state during the coming year. Ac-
ton is imperative on most of these
questions and it is likely favorable ac-
ton will be taken on all of them.
Child Labor Legislation.
For instance, the child labor bill has
already passed both houses, but the
form of the measure as finally voted
upon in each of the branches differs
SO much from that enacted in the 9TH
er that conference will undoubtedly
be necessary before it can reach a
stage where it can be really created
into law. The house took up the child
labor question first with committee
bill under consideration. To this
measure substitute prepared by Rep
resentative Hart of Allamakee was at
tached and the final vote in the house
was on the adoption OF the substitute.
This carried with but little opposition,
but it had been so amended before
passage that most Of the teeth were
extracted, and it was considered rath
er harmless. AS an instance of the
liberaiity of the house in dealing with
the measure, 1t Is noted that the pro-
vision forbidding the employment of
persons under fourteen years of age
in bowling alleys was stricken out;
and the provision in the original bill
which forbade employment in certain
dangerous and hazardous occupations,
factories and buildings, was amended
so that it only operated against the
rooms in the said places where ma
chinery is located. Then the pro-
vision requiring regular school quail
fications was obliterated. In that
form the bill went to the senate. The
senate committee, paying 10 attention
to the action of the house, introduced
q bill OF its own, which is somewhat
close to the law demanded by the
friends of child labor legislation. The
committee bill in the senate, with
Slight amendments, was adopted with
only four n gative votes. AS it will
go back to the house for approval, the
proposed law provides that no child
under fourteen years of age shall be
employed in any mine, manufacturing
establishment factory, mill. workshop
laundry, bowling alley, or any mercan
tile establishment when ten or more
persons are employed; nor shall any
such child be employed during the
hours when the public schools are in
session unless he has during the past
twelve months attended school for the
time provided for by Law.
No child under fourteen years OF
age shall be employed in any worl,
which, by reason OF the nature of the
work or the place employed. is dan
serous to life or limb ar injurious tc
health or morals No female child
shall be employed in any capacity
which compels her to remain standing
constantly. Employment is also for
hidden to any Child under sixteen in
any Of the places or occupations speci
fed before the hour of Z in the morn
ing or after the hour of in the even
ing. or more than ten hours in any
one day, not including the time al
lowed for meals.
Any parent or guardian who causes
or permits any child 10 work contrary
to the provisions of the act is declared
guilty of a misdemeanor and can be
| fined not more than $25 for each Of
tense or imprisoned not to exceed ten
Gays. Corporations or firms violating
.he law are to be fined not to exceed
800 for each violation or imprisoned
not to exceed thirty days. or may be
both fined and imprisoned. The com
missioner of the bureau of Labor is
given authority to carry out the pro
sions of the act, and prosecutions
on complaint, are to be made by the
city or county attorneys.
The senate bill has been messaget
over TO the house and efforts are be
ing made to have the house recede
from its position and accept the
changes made by the senate.
The tenure Of office legislation is
sure of enactment in some form. Tie
house has already adopted bill whici
fixes the terms of all county officers
at two years, and all state officers the
same. with the exception of railroad
commissioners, who are 10 be elected
for three years each. An effort was
made in the house to make the tern
for county officials four years, but II
failed. The senate committee is now
considering the matter and has held
several meetings. but without fully
determining on what action will be
recommended. The commi. tee will
meet again tomorrow. The trouble SC
far has been on determining a choice
between the two year and four year
term idea. 1t is more than likely
I However. that the committee will come
to i5ok al the matter the way the
house nitl.. .srs have and decide that
two years will be sufficiently long
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