davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
TW0.CENTS A MILE FARE
ADVOCATED BY GOVERNOR
that the general levy will not be rails
ed above three mills.
pardons and Paroles

submit to you herewith a state-
ment of all pardons and suspensions
of sentences issued during the year
1906. 1t will disclose fully the ground
each instance. The files Of my office.
with respect to these matters, are
open for the examination of any per-
son WHO may desire to be more fully
informed.
In a former message, I explained
at some length the system Of paroles
which was handed down to me by my
predecessor, and which 1 have en-
deavored to perpetuate; and I there
fore need not enlarge upon the Sub
ject at this time.
l have, during the year named, is-
sued two pardons, and suspended the
operation of sixty three peniteritiary
sentences and nineteen jail sentences.
Thirty eight persons have been re-
stored to citizenship. Ten eommuta-
tons have been granted, four. of them
for the mere purpose of restoring
good time, upon the Recommendation
of the wardens, and the others main
~ for few days only, In order to
accomplish some special purpose.
Twenty-Five fines have been RENTED
almost invariably upon the applica-
ton of the board Of supervisors, the
county attorney, the auditor, the
clerk and the treasurer. I have, dur
Ing the year, revoked eight of the
suspensions, commonly called "pa-
roles" There are at this time about
two hundred men under parole MAX
ing regular monthly reports to my
office. The average amount earned by
each man is SAG IL per month. Sub
stantially all the persons who have
been paro1ed are. in SO far as / am
able to ascertain, living upright,
decent and Industrious lives, and I
have no reason to change the opinion
heretofore expressed with regard to
the efficiency Of the parole system In
building up character and in making
good citizens.
I am more than ever impressed
with the advantages that would be
derived from the indeterrninate sem
tence;s and know that it would be
both humane and helpful to convert
the penitentiary at Anamosa into a
reformatery and to establish a sep
arate reforniatory for women 1t Is
easy to pass these SUBJECTS, for most
Of you do not come into contact with
low erine, but If you cherish the be-
lief, as | am sure you do; that re-
formation is one of the objects of the
administrator of the criminal law.
you cannot render yo,ir state better
service than to give these things the
best thought of. your minds and the
best impulses of your hearts.
There were f1led In my office dur
ing the year 1905 twenty three APP
plfcations for .pardons on the part of
persons who. have been convicted of
murder in the first. degree and sem
fenced to life Imprisonment. Publ
cation. has been made as required by
law, II, each case, and herewith
transmit these applications, together
with the proofs OF publication for such
investigation and Recommendations as
you may be pleased to make.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Direct Inheritance Tax

We now have a statute which lev
les, under certain conditions, coll
lateral inheritance tax. The pro-
priety of levying also direct inher-
itahce tax may we'll engage your at
tention. I do not look upon a tax
of that character as a method for the
reduction of swollen fortunes. / view
1t solely as another effort to equalize
the burdens of society. 1t ought not
to be levied upon small inheritances;
but after the proper limit is passed,
there Is no reason which justifies a
collateral inheritance tax which will
heritance. I earnestly hope that you
will interest yourselves in the sub
ject, and take such action upon it as
the best interest of the state re-
quireS.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition

There is to be held in the summer
of 1909 at Seattle, in the State of
Washington, an exposition which has
been named Alaska Yukon Pacific
Exposition. Its primary purpose is to
exhibit the resources and capacities
Of the Alaska and Yukon territorities
in the United States and Dominion of
Canada, with view to the develop
ment of the trade between the United
States and these territories. ! have
received communication from the
officers of the exposition, inviting the
State Of Iowa to participate In 1T, and
submit the invitation to you rec
ommending It's acceptance.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Civil Service

The time has come when Iowa
should establish such civil service reg
ulations as will Insure the appoint
ment OF such employees as properly
fall within the scope Of civil service
system, upon competitive examina-
tions, with Announcements and pro-
motions earned by faithful and ef-
fcient service. 1t is not necessary
for me to repeat the argument so
we'll known to you for this plan of
appointments to public place. We
are all pledged to it., so far as the
government of the United States is
concerned, and why should we not
stand for 1t in OUR own common
wealth? ~
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Employers Liability

The rules Of law which in this
state govern the liability of an em-
ployar to employees are, in many
respects, fiagrantly unjust to the en-
ployes,4 They need careful revision. At
the last session of congress, a statute
was passed which gave expression to
an enlightened view of one phase OF
the. subject, SO far as interstate com
merce is concerned. This statute has
recently been declared unconstitu
tional, solely because the court be-
lieved that the states, and not the
general government, had the power
to deal with the matter. Without go-
ing into detail, l recommend the pas
sage of a law which shall be the
substantial equivalent of the act
adopted by congress.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Contributions by Corporations

That it has become custom with
corporations Of various kinds to make
contributions to accomplish or defeat
the nomination of candidates for pub
lie office, and to assist in the election
of candidates for public office, Is SO
well known and has been SO com
pletely established that 1 need not
pause to prove it's existence. There
are many reasons, of the weightiest
character, which demand an immedi-
ate prohibition against such abuse of
corporate funds, coupled with a PEN
atty Of Imprisonment for the VIOLA
ton of the law: First, the growing
tendency to use money in political
campaigns is subyersive of the funda-
mental principles of good governments,
for it not only destroys purity of
motive, but it overthrows the safety
which is always found in individual
and independent action. Second, it is
plain theft from every stakeholder
who does not give his assent to the
contribution, and the misappropria :
ton is peculiarly obnoxious because 1t
oftentimes puts the money of a stock
holder at work for a candidate whose
success the stakeholder does not de-
sire. Third, the practice gives to the
corporation an influence in public af-
faire simply because of the money
contributed-an influence which Is
necessarily both selfish and vicious.
Corporations should, Of their own
notion, vigorously exclude themselves
from politics, and the most effective
way in which to give them strength
to resist temptation is to fix penal
ty for participation, so severe that the
honest course will be the most at
tractive one. I recommend, with all
my earnestness, the enactment Of a
measure upon this subject that will
stop, at once and forever, so odious
misuse of corporate property
In this connection, / desire to sub
NIT another suggestion. recognize
that there must be some expenditure
of money in every political campaign
whether for nomination or for cleo
ton. There are legitimate purposes
for which money can be expended
and to this extent, when contributed
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Public Instruction

have been much impressed with
the report of the superintendent of
public Instruction. He presents many
subjects and proposes many changes
of the first Importance. His recon-
mendations are supported by clear
and persuasive argument, and I earn
estly hope that every member of the
General Assembly will become famil-
lar with his report and carefully think
upon the changes he suggests.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
State Fish and Came Warden

In his report to me, the state fish
and game warden has strongly recon-
mended radical amendment to our
law with reference to hunters Ii
censes. I have not been able to ex-
anime the subject with the care that
would warrant me in adopting his
opinion and giving 1t to you as my
own. do, however, bring the mat
ter to your special attention, and ask
that you give his Recommendation the
most careful consideration.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Corn Growers, Association

This association desires small ap-
preparation to enable it to carry for
ward more successfully the work In
which 1t is engaged. If looked upon
1t as private affair, / could not be
brought to favor the request, but it
is really a part of the Agricultural
college, and it may fairly be viewed
as branch Of our educational sys-
TEN. / believe that the amount it
asks would be returned over and over
again every year to the farmers In
their Increased corn crop.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
designations

have received and accepted the
designations of Hon. w. /. Babb Of
Mount Pleasant and Hon. Joseph II.
ALLEN of Pocahontas, regents of the
state university. These designations
came to me SO recently that ! believed
1t to be unnecessary to fill the vacan-
cies by appointments. I bring them
to your attention to the end that you
may fill them by election, in the man
ner provided by law.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Board of Control

I have no especial recommendation
to make with respect to these finsti-
buttons. I desire only to commend
the faithful and efficient adrnlnistra-
ton of the board during the past year,
as in each previous year of Its exis-
tence. 1t has, I believe, done every
thing that could be done for the well
fare of those who have been COM
mitted to its care.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Voting Machine Commission

While voting machines are not as
yet being used in this state to any
great extent. the experience of other
states has shown that our law ought
to be amended in at least one par
ticular. AS the statute now is, when
the voting machine commission has
passed favorably upon any machine,
it stands as approved and may be
sold anywhere in the state. 1t is not
always possible for the commission to
discover defects IN such machine,
and when such defects are made to
appear by use there is no power on
the part of the commission or on the
part of any other officer to revoke
the certificate of approval. There
should be an amendment giving either
the commission or some other board
the authority to cancel the approval,
IT,, in use, the machine is found to
be worthless
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Municipal Government

One of the propositions upon which
all persons and all parties seem I'd
agree is that the established system
of government in our larger cities Is
hopelessly Inefficient. In these DAYS
when franchises to public service COR
lporations have become so important.
when the sums expended for public
improvements have become so vast
and the expense of administration has
so multiplied, the form of municipal
government ought to receive the best
thought of the General Assembly. I
believe there should be a thorough
going revision of our statutes upon
this subject. There are wide differ.
ences respecting the changes that
should be made. My own view Is
that the representative form of govern
ment ought to be preserved Alder
men should be elected at large, and
the city council confined strictly to
legislative duties. Power should be
concentrated in the mayor and he
should be the responsible administra-
tive head of city affairs. He should
appoint the officers who are to adj
minister the law. The protection of
civil service should be extended.
The compensation of the MAYOR
should be sufficient to call men of the
best type and strongest character to
the office, and the term be made long
enough to enable him to accomplish
something. If. however. the term
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Jamestown Exposition

AT the last session of the General
Assembly, there was extended to the
State an invitation to join in. a cele-
bration commemorating the first set
tlement at Jamestown, to be held
during the summer of 1907. No ac-
ton was taken upon it, and there
fore nothing has been done with re-
spect to representation on the part
of the State in the Exposition. still
believe that it would be wise and pa
triotic for the state to make small
appropriation for the purpose of
erecting and maintaining a modest
Iowa home upon the grounds at
Jamestown where our people could
concentrate and in an appropriate
way do honor to the event which the
Exposition is to memorabilia.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15

sage OF resolution calling the sub
jeot specifically to the attention of our
members of Congress, and asking
them to see to 1t that the matter is
decisively determined, either for or
against us, at the earliest practicable
moment
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Desertion and Nom Support

I repeat my recommendation of a
year ago, with Increased emphasis,
law that will make 1t crime for a
man to desert his family without
cause, and to refuse to sup
port without good reason his wife
and children. We ought to do
something to check the rapidly grow
ing habit of regulating the most sa-
cred obligations which man ever as
sumeS
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15

be heightened, it should be accom-
panied with the power on the part
of the people to remove him from
that purpose upon proper petition.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Lobbying and the lobbyist

My views upon lobbying and the
lobbyist are fairly well known, but
/ venture once more to express them.
Corporations, as well as individuals,
oftentimes have direct pecuniary or
property interest in measures that are
proposed before legislative bodies.
When such measures arise 1t is fun
damental that they have the right
to be heard. no deny them the privi-
lege of submitting either fact or ar
gument to the men who make the
laws would be intolerable in an en-
lightened government. Manifestly,
however, the privileges of such rep
resentatives should be limited to the
submission Of such matters as touch
the merit or demerit of the legisla
ton proposed, and whenever and
wherever any corporation or indi-
vidual attempts, to influence a mem
Der by any other consideration, no
! matter what 1t is, he commits crime
against morals, and the punishment
| should be swift, sure and severe. 1
understand perfectly that such Of
licenses are not easily discovered, but
/ that Is no reason for immunity Wien
they are discovered.
to be in good repute, and therefore
] make this distinction. He who comes
| before you, fairly argues the case
given to him, submits his case hon
| estlV and goes his way, is not a lob
byist, and the term, which has be-
come one of reproach ought not to
| be applied to him. The real lobby
list is the man who has no concern
for the merit OF the law which he
advocates or the dement, of the law
which he opposes. He is the man
who attempts to- create personal OBJ
| Legations which will influence votes.
He is the man who intrigues for COM
binations in which votes for or against
4 one measure are traded for votes for
or against another measure. He is
the man who pursues his avocation
/ behind locked doors, and in dark
corners. He is the man who wants
to win, right or wrong, and puts his
4 desire to accomplish his purpose above
his duty as citizen. Such a lobby
list ought not to be registered any
where. He ought to be abolished
| everywhere.
am glad to say that in Iowa these
men are growing every year less con
spicuous and less numerous. hope
to see the species wholly disappear
and that the historian of the future
may be able to write that about this
time the race became extinct.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Corporations

My observation and experience in
tensify the conclusion / have twice
announced to the General Assembly
relative to the organization of cor
.porations,. I take one step further and
say that 1t seems to me that one of
the imperative demands OF the time is
to require the articles of incorpora-
ton of every corporation hereafter or
ganized to be approved by some trib-
unal, such as the Executive Coun-
Gil, with the Attorney General adj
ded, before they are permitted to
be filed. Even this measure of SUI
perVjsion would prevent the establish
inent Of large number Of associa-
tons either unlawful and fraudulent
in their purpose or imperfect in their
plan of organization.
l reiterate my recommendation that
no capital stock should be allowed to
be issued until some state authority
had made examination, and Until it
had been satisfactorily shown that it
or in property, at a fair value. The
universal practice of issuing capital
stock without any regard to the value
paid for 1T is the fruitful source of
more injustice and oppression than
any. other in which corporations In
dulge. To permit corporations to is.
sue stock as they now do is no more
@ pirate to prey upon defenseless
people.
It is believed by many Of the most
thoughtful students of governme entail
affairs that the time has come for ar,
annual franchise corporation tax.
concur in that BELIEF. You could add
greatly to. the revenues Of the state,
and at the same dine place some OF
the burdens Of maintaining the gov.
ernfnent where thew belong nv nrn !.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Claim Against the General Governs
ment

For many years there has been
pending at Washington claim on the
part Of the State of Iowa against the
general government, arising out Of
the sale of public lands. within our
limits, wherein the consideration was
other than money. Other states have
similar claims, and the agents which
have been appointed by the several
states have been vainly attempting
to secure some legislation as Will re-
suit in the adjustment and payment or
the demands. I have given the SUBJ
jeet sufficient investigation to war
rant the conclusion that our claim is
a just one. and that the resistance
is not to Its merit. The difficulty is
that in the multitude OF things which
Congress has to do, 1t is easy to Sc
cure delay, and this method Of pre-
venting the payment of an honest
debt has now been successful for
many years. recommend the pas.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
PASSENGERS WOULD
BE TREATED ALIKE
Short Distance Travellers Would Not
Then be Helping to Pay the Cost
of Carrying Those Who
Ride ON Mileage
TO the senate and House of Repre-
sentatives OF the Thirty second
General Assembly:
Reports

In the transition from general as
sembly meeting in the even numbered
years to a general assembly meeting
In the odd numbered years, the re-
ports OF all state officers, departments
and boards have not been made for
the Single year Intervening since my
last message. Such Of them as are
required to be made arc on file and
will exhibit iii detail the conduct of
the affairs OF the state committed to
these officers, departments and
Boards
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
State Board Of Health

There Is. nothing in the present law
that authorizes the state board Of
health to establish proper regulations
respecting the transportation of dead
human bodies. In view of the legis-
lation and practice Of other states, it
has become very important that our
board Of health shall have additional
power. l need not enlarge upon the
subject, for the need of being In llar-
mony with modern practices will be
obvious to the most casual observer.
Closely connected with regulations re-
lating to such transportation is the
qualification of llndertakers and EN-.
balmers to prepare bodies for ship
ment, and the board of health should
be authorized to examine persons who
expect to perform such work, to is
sue permits to those who are found
to be competent, and to impose and
collect such fees as may be neces-
sary to cover the expenses Of exam
ination and such other expenses as
may be incidental to the added func-
ton of the board.
Having spoken of the board of
health I trust you will not look up
on it as Inappropriate il / mention
in this public way the retirement of
DR.. j. f.. Kennedy. who has been
its secretary for twenty-five years.
He has been a jealous, faithful and
efficient public servant, and he car
ries with him, as he leaves the office
which he has so ably filled the respect
and esteem of all who know him.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15

by individuals, there can be no critl-
cisin Of the practice. We Will all
agree, however, that the expenditure
of money In political controversies has
passed beyond fair and reasonable
limit. Other countries and other
states have attempted to restrict the
use of money within honest bounds
through that very efficient corrective
publicity. Think the state of Iowa
SHOULD. do likewise, 4 and /, strongly
recommend a law that will require
not only political committees, but
candidates for nomination and for
lures. -
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
Finances

The reports Of the auditor and
treasurer disclose fully and infinitely
all receipts and all expenditures and
do no more than to submit them for
your consideration.
To aid you in determining the
amount that can be appropriated by
the Thirty second general assembly
for payment during the years 1907
and 1908, in addition to sums already
appropriated, and upon the basis of
the ordinary and regularly recurring
expenses. OF administration, beg to
present the following compilation:
RECEIPTS (estimateD
Levy mills, 9. years tax (as-
sessed valuation of all prop 4
eFty fer 1906 1894, 1888 1929 So $3.50, 600. 90
pafiies ......................:..... 100000. 90
State institutions .:........:.. 1;o2o, 900. 90
Fees from state officers and .
boards $4,000 90
Freight line and transportation
companies ...................... 10000, 90
Refunds from state institutions goo, 600. 90
Interest on DEPOSITS in banks. 30,000:00
Collateral inheritaiice tax ...... 32U, 90
Federal aid to soldiers home -. 13o, .00
Miscellaneous sources ........s. 10000. 90
Interest on delinquent tax 80. 20.900.G0
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15

Continued on next pagel
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15

To this balances may be added
whatever sum you may believe the
unexpended balances will be ana the
result will give you the sum that can
be used In what Is custon1arilv
''newn as extraordinary appropriations
be paid out In 1907 and 1908.
''e table is made upon the hypoth esia