Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-14
BITTER CONTEST IN HOUSE
Seat from Clinton County the Bone Of
Contention.
MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR GARsT
Laws for More Stringent, Regulation
of h Sale of Liquor Are
RecOmmended-More Power
for Railway Commission.
CFrom a Staff Correspondent

ACAANhos jan.
contest for a seat in the general assembly
promises to be one OF the most bitterly
fought of any for years and 1t may require
half the session to hear the evidence be-
fore the committee to be appointed by
Speaker Feely tomorrow. This is the con-
test from Clinton county. where Sid Robb.
republican, seeks to unseat A. w. Kendall.
In his notice Of contest filed with the
secretary Of state, MI. Robb asked for a
recount In several precincts. He contends
that enough ballots were thrown out wrong
fully in these precincts to elect him. This
morning Mr.. Kendall filed his answe and
In II he mand a recount of the entire
county. He says that the districts cited
by Mr.. Robb are in the city Of Clinton,
where he was strongest. He urges that in
the country districts. where he claims he
was strongest, as many ballots favorable to
him were thrown out on the same pretext.
There will be enough in the recount Of the
country, he says to offset any gain that Mr..
Robb may make in the city. Both have re-
tanned able legal talent to represent them,
Mr.. Kendall retaining Wolf & Wolf Of Clin-
ton and j. b. Sullivan OF Des Moines and
Mr., Robb has retained Skinner & Coe Of
Clinton and E. L.. Miller Of Clinton.
Revision of Liquor Laws.
The first petition for revision Of the liquor
laws in Iowa came into the house Of repre-
sentatives this morning from Lyon county.
1t is expected there will be a great many
OF such petitions before the legislature is
long in session.
Examinations for Clerks.
Speaker Feely of the house of repre-
sentatives this morning appointed on the
committee to examine committee clerks
as to their qualifications as stem
ographers, Representatives Arney of Mar
shalltcwn, Moore of Linn and Stillman
of Greene. This committee will prob
ably meet and examine the clerks Thurs
day. 1t yet remains for those taking
the examination to secure an appointment
from some member chairman of a COM
mittee with power to select a clerk.
After the committees are announced by
Speaker Feeley a on assign
ment Of committee rooms, grouping of
committees and assignment of clerks will
be made.
Canvass of Vote.
The senate and house will necessarily
meet in Joint session Wednesday to can
vass the vote for governor and lieutenant
governor at the last election. After the
vote is canvassed the legislature will be
in readiness for the inauguration Thurs
day.
Drawing for Seats.
Tomorrow morning there will be a
lively scene in the house of representa-
tives at the drawing of seats. The house
has decided there shall be no favoritism
to old members-that names of all will
nave to go into the hat and be drawn
out. There is considerable rivalry for
the seats directly in front of the speak
er's desk, where his attention can quickly
be gained.
Governor Warren Garst has received
an invitation to attend the inaugural
ball at Washington as a citizen of Iowa.
The committee having in charge the
management of this event decided to in
vito one representative citizen outside
the governor Of the state to attend the
function. BY recommendation of both
Iowa senators, Warren Garst and wife
were invited as citizens from Iowa. The
present governor. whose short term ex-
pires Thursday, has accepted the invita-
ton.
Message of Governor.
In his message to the legislature Gov
ernor Garst urged more effective regula-
ton of the liquor traffic. There is no
doubt" he said, that the trend of the
times is in the direction OF the thorough
control and reasonable restriction OF the
traffic in intoxicating liquors. l believe
that the law should be amended so that
the machinery for the enforcement of the
regulations surrounding the saloons and
the liquor traffic will be strengthened and
be made effective in every community In
the state. l would also recommend that
you memorable congress for a change in
the revised statutes so that 1t would be
definitely provided that the initiative for
issuing a federal license for the sale OF
intoxicating liquors would be with the local
community directly interested. The federal
government should not legalize, so far as
it can do so, the liquor traffic in places
where the people do not want 1t to be
legaliZed or tolerated.
at is asserted that IS per cent of the
restitution. crime and degradation of the
state is due to the nefarious traffic in in
toxicating liquors. With the thought that
the saloons may be reduced in number and
be under better control and surveillance, l
recommend that the law be amended so as
to require the payment of an annual
license fee of 1920, divided so that one
third goes to the municipality, one third
TO the county and one-third to the state"
Expansion OF the powers of the Railroad
commission was recommended. THAT com
mission the governor said, SHOULD have
authority over the telegraph and telephone
lines as much as over other common car
riers. The commission also should have
some measure of authority over public
utilities, such as street car lines, water
works, gas and electric plants
He suggested also that congress be me
morialized to permit taxation of national