Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-11-26

work done by those who preceded yon
including very much that is of endur-,
ing helpfulness to the state, brought
to a successful conclusion by some OF
the most capable and high minded
men that have served the people,
still feel that there is due yoT special
lpraise for,that which you have accom-
plished.
Praises Acts of Assembly.
ITO this. the 32d general assembly,
| fell the duty OF enacting into law a
great deal of that which the expert
ence of years had shown to be neces-
sary. This duty extended to 'legisla-
ton affecting all the activities of the
people. You have had the rare expert
work has been at least in part given
q practical test.
The materia! prosperity Of the peo-
/ pie has been greatly enhanced and the
! health OF the people preserved by the
enactment of the pure food law. 1t is
! perhaps one Of the unfortunate things
/ that men who take advanced positions
in this and other remedial and reform
|! legislation, meet with temporary dis
! favor on the part of those who ara
the real beneticiaries. This should not
in any way discourage you. for unless
you are willing to meet conditions OF
this kind YOU would be but little less
than time servers, a charge that in no
sense applies to you as individuals or
as body. 1t is only a
question of time when the import
ance of your work will be recognized
and appreciated.
Il am one of those who believe that
in enacting the indeterminate sen
tence law our state has started in the
right direction. In loosening the bonds
of cruel environment, opportunity has
been given many an unfortunate per
son to return to useful citizenship. The
experience of most civilized countries
is that punishment should as far rs
possible be eliminated, but that every
thing possible should be done along
reformatory lines. The conclusions o
your commission appointed to investi
gate this great subject seem to me Il
afford ample justification for the law
placed upon the statute books.
School Appropriations.
There can be no reasonable doub
as to the wisdom of the appropriations
, made by you and your predecessor
for the betterment of our educatioua
institutions. No one, | am sure, cal
question your good judgment in max
ing such magnificent provision for til,
agri ultural college. 1t seems Il
: be the consensus Of opinion that TIL
material interests Of the state hav'
been advanced each year many time
the amount appropriated. In additio,
! to this the citizenship of the state ha
: for the present for all time, beeI
: greatly elevated | think no one VIII
: has the good of the state at heart vii
cuestion your wisdom IN providing 10
a greater university, an institution tina
is turning out yearly great numbe
! of young people whose presence in tn
: different sections OF the state ofte
7 act as a veritable benediction with e.
4 penditures of something like IL mi
e lion dollars for our common schoc
\ system, nothing can be more essentia
e than we'll equipped normal school.
e IF | am not in error. history Wi
). accord in this Legislature great credi
g for what it has done to harmonic on
r political methods with our ideals al,
= the ideals OF the founders Of the ri
public. What you have done has. in
n large measure, | sincerely hope, +,
n moved forever some of the pernicior
n influences that surrounded your predt
Il cessory. While in my fifteen year
d / have never known of a we'll authent
t. Gated case of legislative wrong dom
on the part of men entrusted with til
t sacred responsibilities of making tn