Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-01-14

very many more. Through the agricui-
turai extension work the influence Of
the state, and II Is at all times inspir-
Ing aud helpful
State Normal school.
We should have greater facilities for
the training of teachers, and / am of
the opinion that the time has come when
We should decide upon the location OF an
additional normal school It certainly
Is not extravagant to. desire the thor
| ough training of substantially every
teacher in the state OF the sl2;ooO.oO
poses there is a very large part wasted
through the employment of inefficient
teachers and the multiplicity OF small
rapidly as possible.
Historical Department and Library.
Since the adjournment Of the last gem
eral assembly the state library has been
moved into It's new quarters, and the law
library and the general library have been
separated. The. historical department.
which occupies Jointly with the state IL
brary the fine building near the state
capitol, has suffered an irreparable loss
In the death OF Hon, Charles Aldrich, its
founder, and for many years its faithful
curator. These events remind us that our
laws in regard to the historical depart
ment and library are conflicting and there
seems to be necessity for a reorganization
that you counsel with the library board
as TO the best method of placing this edu-
cationaI work upon a sound and enduring
basis. The historical hall should be COM
pieted. There should also be some pro-
vision made for decoration and for the
acquisition of works OF art that would be
our people.
Among the most valuable OF the edu-
| cational agencies Of the state is the free
travelling library. under the direction OF
state library commission, ana its field
OF service has steadily grown. It's mis-
sion Is the dissemination of good litera-
ture throughout the state by n practical
method of lending books. BY this means
In the remotest farm houses good books
are made accessible that stimulate to
higher ideals and aid In the development
OF the material welfare of our state. This
work has expanded rapidly, which indi-
Gates that II is very much appreciated.
The work OF the library commission In
stimulating sentiment in favor OF local
libraries has also been valuable. You
should not neglect to make ample pro-
vision for continuing this work.
Regulation of the Liquor Traffic.
There is no doubt that the trend OF the
times Is In the direction of the thorough
control nitro and reasonable restriction OF the
dency to decrease rather than to enlarge
the area In which the traffic is permitted
under legal sanction meets the approval
OF the people generally.
1 am firm believer in local self-gov-
eminent, and each community should be
left to control Its own local affairs Just
with the interests of society as 81 whole.
But believe that the law should be
amended 80 that the machinery for the
enforcement of the regulations surround
Ing the saloons and the liquor traffic will
be strengthened and be made effective in
every community of the state. The gov
nrf1 1t,d all. III.
general, should have iei'' the he a unoues.
toned power to fulfill the require
ments OF the constitution as to the en-
this would eliminate many of the abuses
which have prevailed In the past.
Our laws now recognize as an evil the
know that the saloon and the saloon IN
fluences are baneful. 1 believe IL should
be your policy in every move you make.
to strengthen the barriers we have tried
to place between the saloon power and
our boys and men, and to give to society
the fullest measure of protection.
The States Legal Deps rtment.
desire to place especial emphasis up
on the admirable and Instructive report
which has been made by the attorney
| Of the stae Y yoa M read
this report, as you must, you will be led
to the conclusion that this department
ana that by So dong aha usefnness wi
be enhanced many fold. The attorney
general recommends that It be made pos
sible. for the governor to take care that
the laws are faithfully executed by Civ
ing. him the power, upon proper COM
plant to remove peace officers, mayors
and prosecuting attorneys. This may
seem like radical step but IL Is pro-
posed as measure to eliminate evils
that are destructive to our whole social
system. He suggests reorganization
along the lines Of the h department rit'et Of
justice In the national government and
he gives reasons for this change which
are worthy OF your thoughtful considera-
ton.
Other similar important recommends
lions are made by the attorney general
which / will not take the time here to
enumerate, but / suggest to you that you
cannot perform your full duty unless you
have given this report q careful read
ing. That which he has in mind take
It, is the better enforcement of the laws
of our state, and there is no one thing
upon which we should all agree so
readily as that the laws which we have
persons and places.
Railroad Commission and Transport
tation.
Iowa was one of the first states to
clotha its railroad commission with power
for the settlement OF all controversies
relating to commerce within the state
transportation lines. The right Of the
matters has long been accepted as final
and right, but there is insistence that
with regard to rates. classification. as
sessment taxation Determinations and
details of the service there must be alb
solute fairness to all interests. The
transportation problem In Its various
est single problem confronting our people,
and we should leave nothing undone that
win further its early and satisfactory
solution.
The state railroad commission has
authority only within the state and over
railroads and express lines, but there has
been such changes In the business world
and so great DEVELOPMENT of conflict
ing interests, that a reasonable expansion
of its powers seems TO be necessary. The
commission should have authority over
the telegraph and telephone lines as much
as over other common carriers. The COM
mission should also have some measure
OF authority over the public utilities of
the state such as street car lines, water
works gas and electric plants: but care
must be exercised so that there IL left
with the municipalities sufficient power
for the proper police regulation OF these
private enterprises. Matters purely local
must be left to the local communities.
To enchance the efficiency of the rail-
road commission the salaries of members
should be Increased to not less than $500
year and they be required to devote
their entire time to the work. Instead OF
being elective, these offices should be
members subject to confirmation OF two
thirds vote of the senate. Provision
should be made, however. for continuing
In office to the end of their present terms
the members who have been elected by
the people. The term OF office OF MEM
bers should be extended to six years.
I therefore recommend that YOU pro-
vide by appointment Ior an attorney on
behalf of the state to have charge Of all
eontroverted questions before the railroad
commission in which TIE rights of the
people are I'm any way involved, and who
shall also appear before the executive
council In all matters involving any of