Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-12-18
SIX CONTESTS UP
IN IOWA ASSEMBLY
Largest Number in Years Will
Confront Legislature Next
January
FIVE IN HOUSE, ONE IN SENATE
Elections So Close That Few Votes Will
Change Results = Senate Contest
Comes From Mahaska county-Tax
Revisionists Want Radical Changes
Made.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Dec. 1S.--E'ive contests
in the house of representatives and one
in the senate will give the coming
Thirty third general assembly the re-
cord for contests for good many
years back.
OF all these contests but one con-
testant filed his notice with the sec
retary of state early enough to pre-
vent the issuance of a certificate of
election This was l.. ID. Teter, of Mar
ion county, who by giving notice of
contest has prevented his democratic
opponent. George w Crozier from sit
ting until the elections committee has
passed on their contest. In the other in
stances those who on the face of the
returns were elected will take their
seats where they will remain unless
ousted by the assembly to make place
for their opponents.
one of the most interesting contests
will be that commenced by Sidney j.
Robb, of Clinton, republican, against
A. w. Kendall, of Delmar, democrat.
The difference in their vote was so very
slight that it has been predicted the
recount will be advantageous to Robb
Mr.. Kendall, however, takes his seat
until action of the house on the report
of the committee on his case.
w. T.. Davidson, of Hamburg, Ere
mont county, the republican candidate
who was defeated on the face OF the
returns by but five votes will contest
the seat of his successful democratic
opponent, A. V. Penn. of Sidney.
.sBy' but eleven votes, did Robert BaX-
ter, of Galva. win seat from Ida
county, over S. M Corrie. republican,
Mr. Corrie will contest for the place.
The smallest margin in Votes was in
Buchanan county There the republic
an candidate, B. F. Stoddard. of Jesup'
won by but two votes. His democratic
adversary, L. f. Springer will un-
doubtedly contest.
The senate contest will come from
Mahaska county. There A. f. N. Ham
ilton, former republican representative
was defeated for senate position by
John r. Ream. coal miner of Oska-
loosa, by orty-eight votes. Mr.. Hamii-
ton claims that in Mahaska county
MANY voted for him directly but also
for president directly by putting
cross before Taft's name instead OF be-
fore the names of the electors. THESE
ballots were thrown out. He contends
they should not have been discarded
and that with such ballots counted ne
would be entitled to the election.
The legislature that convenes next
month is to be asked to take radical
step in the matter of taxation of pub
lie improvements. The demand for a
change in present laws is to be made
by the Iowa League of municipalities.
Frank G. Pierce, Of Marshalltown, sec
retary, has written to the numerous
mayors thruout the state eliciting their
support.
The plan is to so amend the laws as
to place part Of the tax burden for
public Improvements upon the posterity
that will enjoy them Take parks for
instance Des Moines citizens during
the past few years have been heavily
taxed to purchase vast tracts of land
for public parks and permanent i'm
provements in these But it is posteri-
ty for years to come that is to reap
the greatest benefits of these parks and
those who so enjoy them will do so at
the expense of those who live now and
will then have died. 1t is urged that
whero such improvements are made
the living generation should only be
taxed for the pleasure
to be obtained from them and that the
remaining cost should be paid by those
who are to live in the future to reap
their benefits.
There is considerable speculation as
to who the Iowa teachers in their an
nual convention here the latter part
of this month will select as president
for the ensuing year. According TO
precedent the honor this year falls to
the SUPERINTENDENT of schools. So far
burt one name has been brought forth
as candidate That is the name OF
%. J. H. Beard. superintendent of the
schools at Newton. Mr. Beard has been
superintendent Of the same schools for
seventeen years. He is an old soldier
and generally popular among the
teachers. His friends are urging that
his long service in one place and his
general standing entdtle him to the
honor of being president of the asso-
ciation this coming year.
A committee Of Illinois legislators
visited the Iowa capitol yesterday and
put in the day investigating the work
tngs of the Iowa board of control plan
for the management of the large bus
mess interests of the state. One thing
which seemed to excite the wonder of
the Illinois people was that the Iowa
institutions have actually been taken
our of politics and the management is
conducted strictly On business lines.
..This seems almost Incredible to US"
one of the committee stated in private
conversation. I'VE have tried var