Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-03-27

After three hours debate the sen.
ate, by vote of Is for to 80 against,
killed the state marshal bill. The
measure has been before several as
senblies in one form or another, but
had never before come to vote I'M
open session. Senator Durham OF
Delaware county, in a strong speech,
showed up the merits of the measure
for better enforcement of the pres.
,ent laws. He showed that it would
not take a cent from the state treas.
ury, although its expense would run to
nearly 100000 year The money
was all to come from a portion of the
taxes now being paid to the counties
and cities where the mulct law is in
operation. Senator Durham was aid
ed in support of the bill by Senator
Bleakley Of Ida county, but 1t was op-
posed by Senator DeArmond of Scott,
who declared it would take from his
county $4,000 year which was now
derived from the saloons and which
was used for parks and public I'M
provements. He contended that the
present officers could enforce the law
as well as an army of marshals if
they desired to do So. Senator War
rem of Marion county also spoke
against the bill and made an eloquent
appeal. After the vote was taken A.
C. Rankin, who has had charge of the
marshal movement in Iowa for sew
eral years, gave out the statement
that the fight would be kept up and
that it would now be taken into every
legislative district in the state, with
the hope of electing members
pledged to the bill, so that the Thirty
third assembly in 1909 would look
upon it with more favor.
The Democrats of the senate. who
allowing Iowa manufacturers of intpx-
icating liquors to sell the same and
ship to points in the state the same
right that Is accorded outside manu-
facturers of beer and whisky, looked
upon the defeat of the marshal bill
with good grace. If their shipping
bill had been adopted several of the
Democrats stood ready to aid the
marshal bill to victory in the senate,
but as it was they voted solidly
against it, giving IA of the 80 votes in
opposition,
May Have Commission Government.
The bill putting cities of $4,000 or
| more inhabitants under commission
form OF government has been adopted
by the legislature, going through the
senate with no opposing votes and
having but slight opposition in the
house. The bill will affect Des Moines,
Dubuque, Davenport, Burlington, Ce.
dar Rapids, Sioux City and keokuk,
but not unless the people OF those
cities adopt it by majority vote. 1t
provides for the election by the PEG
pie of mayor and four councilmen,
or commissioners, who shall have full
| charge OF the municipal affairs. All
elections are to follow non-partisan
| primaries and the government of all
cities under the law Is to be absolutely
non-partisan and based solely on
sound business principles. The gov
eminent of cities under the bill is di
vided into five departments, the de
partment of public affairs. the depart
ment of accounts and finances, the de
partment OF public safety, the depart
ment of streets and public improve
ments and the department of parks
and public property. The council and
| its members under the bill are to eX
ercise all executive, legislative and
\ judicial powers and duties now had
and possessed. by all the officers Of
such cities. Civil service is provided
for in all departments and old soldier:
are given the preference with equa
| qualifications. 1t also includes the
initiative and referendum, giving the
people voice on all questions.
The senate passed the bill by New
berry providing for regulating thu
sale of agricultural seeds and ANNA
foodstuffs. The bill requires agricul
tural seeds offered for sale or sold il
the state to be of a certain degree O
purity and free from seeds OF noxiou
weeds. The bill also provides TO
labelling foodstuffs for animals wit
statement CT the ingredients. Their
was considerable opposition to som
provisions of the bill, but it passed
4 The house passed the joint resoll
ton which was introduced by Nee
rath of Woodbury. county, providin
for the appointment Of commissio
to inquire into the subject of taxatio
| for state and local purposes and tn