Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-13
Special to Times-Republlcan.


! Des Moines, Jan. 13.-lThe legislature
has been started off on its work for
the session in proper manner. 1t has
received the reports of the state off,
GERS and these reports have been re-
viewed. Fulfilling the requirements of
the law, the governor has also advised
the general assembly as to needed
legislations indicated by the experience
of the past. There is not a particle of
receive thoughtful attention and in the
most liberal way will be given recogni-
tion in the legislation which is to fol-
low.
/ ~ have attended the opening Of ev-
cry legislative session ever held in Des
Moines," said Hon. Isaac Brandt yes
terday evening, "and l have heard The
messages of every governor ever de-
livered in the state house, but / want
to say that there has not been bet
ter one delivered than the one delivered
today by Governor Garst 1t Is full Of
meat. 1t covers the whole ground. 1t
shows the breadth Of the man and his
great familiarity with the affairs of tho
state. He has laid out a program for
the general assembly, as he is re-
auired to do and this program is one
which will commend itself to all men"
This expression fairly Illustrated
what is in the minds of the people.
On every hand there were congratula-
tions on the quality of the message.
The veteran senators and the new rep
resentatives exchanged condolences and
all agreed that the message was one Of
the finest ever given a legislature.
That which most impressed the
members was the fact that the gov
ernor, in what he said, stuck close To
the purely business matters in hand.
He did not indulge in any theories or
discuss national issues or undertake to
introduce Innovations Especially were
his recommendations with regard to a
conservation commission and for en-
largement of the duties of the railroad
commission, making it virtually a pub
lie utilities commission, well received.
He was also complimented on his
strong utterances in regard to the on
forcement of law and the Improvement
of laws relating to the liquor traffic.
A feature Of the opening was that
Governor Garst had his message print
ed and in pamphlet form and these
were laid on the desks of the MEM
ished so that all could read the mes
sage carefully. This is the first time
this has ever been done.
The formal election of Senator Cum
minis for the long term in the Allison
succession will be held on Tuesday,
the 10Th, and there is not a particle
Of doubt that the sena tor will be on
hand to personally appear before the
legislature at that time. He stated
when he left for Washington the last
time that it was his intention to follow
the customs Of the past and be pres
ent at the senatorial election. But af
ter all there will not be the interest in
the event there would have been under
the old method. There will be no sem
atorial caucus for the first time in the
history of the state, for the decision
of the primary operates to bind all the
republican legislators to vote for the
choice Of the party. Senator Cummins
does not expect to remain here long
at the time of his election.
The democrats will all vote for
Claude Porter, who has received the
democratic nomination for the senate.
1t is said that the nominating speech
for Porter, if there is one, will be
made by Senator Moon or Senator
Jameson. The nominating speech for
Cummins will probably be by Senator
Smith, the veteran of the senate and
now presiding officer
Speaker Feely and Lieutenant Gov
ernor Clarke are the busiest men in
the city just now trying to get their
committees in order for announcement.
They are besieged by members who
want preference. The suggestion which
mas been made that the number of
committees be reduced by cutting out
a large number that are of absolute
" no use, does not meet with favor