Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-14
Discusses Questions Which Will
Come Before Legislature at
Present Session
PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RATES
Urges the Adoption Of Law Fixing
Fares at Two Cent. Per Mile-sus-
sests Freight Regulations That Will
Reduce Big Earninss-Reciprocal
Demurrase and Control Of Corpora
tions-Inheritanoe Tax on Large
Fortunes.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
&, Des Moines, Jan. 14.-A strong state
document was presented to both houses
Of the legislature this afternoon, when
the message of Governor Cummins was
read. The governor does not depart
from the we'll known reforms for
the executive Office, but presents
strong arguments why some Of those
reforms should be enacted into law.
Primary election legislation being as
surreol, he passes this subject briefly.
In dealing with the railroad question
and the influence of corporations in
politics, Mr.. Cummins goes at the bas-
is Of the subjects by presenting facts
and fiyures to substantiate his conten-
tion that legislation for better control
Is essential to the well being of the
people of the state.
I, The message gives a statement OF
the financial condition OF the state,
with an itemized report of the receipts
and expenditures, reviews at length
the proceedings of the late senatorial
convention held to secure the election
OF United States senators by direct
vote Of the people; reiterates his views
regarding railway passes and suggests
the amendment of the anti-pass law to
bring 1t in conformity with the ma
tional law and to better define bona
I fide railway employees and other ex-
emptieils; recommends liberal appro-
priations for the educational institu-
( tions, especially the State University
and Iowa State College; favors a direct
Inheritance tax on large estates; civil
service for state employees and reform
in the governments of the larger cities
Of the state. The governor does not
favor the Galveston plan, but urges
legislation to secure concentration Of
power In the mayor, with a council
elected at large and empowered only
With legislative functions.
On the questions of pardons, rail-
way and corporation control and lower
rates the governor said:
Pardons and Paroles.
I have, during the year, issued two
s.oardons, and suspended the operation
,f 63 penitentiary sentences and 10
:ail sentences. Thirty-eight persons
have been restored to citizenship. Ten
4.ommutations have been granted. Four
of them for the mere purpose of re-
storing good time, upon the recommen-
fof{ re- %bn all
mainly for few days only in order
to accomplish some special purpose.
twenty one fines have been remitted,
elmost invariably upon the application
&c the board of supervisors, the coun-
ty attorney, the auditor, the clerk, and
the treasurer. I have during the year
revoked eight of the suspensions, COM
monty called paroles There are at
this time about 200 men under parole
making regular monthly reports to my
office. The average amount earned by
each man is $46.12 per month. Sub
sAntially all the persons who have
been paroled are, insofar as I have
been 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
HAlding up character and making good
citizens.
am more than ever impressed with
the advantages that would be derived
from the indeterminate sentence; and
know that it would be both humane
and helpful to convert the penitentiary
al Anamosa into a reforma tory, and to
establish separate reformatory for
women. It is easy to pass these SUBJ
jects, for most of you do not come in
to contact with the sufferings and sor-
rows which follow crime, but if you
cherish the belief, as am sure you do,
that reformation is one of the objects
of the criminal law you cannot render
your state better service than to give
tn ese things the best thought of your
mi nds and the best impulses of your
heart.
There were filed in my office during
the year 1906, twenty three applica-
tiens for pardons on the part of per-
so as who have been convicted of mur-
der in the first degree and sentenced
to life Imprisonment. Publication has
been made as required by law in each
case. and 1 herewith transmit these
applications, together with proofs OF
publication for such investigation and
Recommendations as you may be
pleased to make.
Primary Election.
The wisdom of establishing sys-
tern for the nomination of candidates
for elective offices has not only been
thoroughly debated in prior general
assemblies. but has been maturely
considered by the people of the state.
Declarations upon the subject will be
found in the platforms of the two prin-
cipal parties which preclude doubt with
respect to the opinions of an over
whelming majority of the voters. Ex-