Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-27
BILL INTENDED
FOR COMP ROMISE
AMENDED STATE MARSHAL
MEASURE INTENDED TO HEAD
OFF REsUBMIssloN.

legislation has taken new turn
through Inman's revised state marshal
bill 1t is claimed the measure is some
thing of compromise and that the
opponents OF the resubmission resolu-
ton will unite in favor Of 1t with the
hope Of defeating the proposition for
constitutional prohibition.
The proposed law, it is argued,
would result in enforcement of liquor
laws in all parts Of the state, thus
enabling the dry localities to main
tain prohibition while others in which
them. Provision Is made for dividing
the state into two districts with one
commissioner and two deputies to
each district. The commissioners are
to receive $4,000 a. year. Each COM
missioner with his deputies is to be
charged with enforcing the liquor laws
in his district.
AT the request of any county sher-
if or mayor, the commissioner or
deputy shall go into any county or
town and take charge Of any violation
of law
Prod for Public Prosecutors.
Where county attorney fails to
prosecute cases the district commits
sioner shall present the case to the at
torney general, who shall take charge
Of the prosecution himself or by dep
uty.
The governor, at the request of any
county attorney, may direct the attor-
ney general to assist such county at
torney in any prosecution under the
act.
One-sixth of the "mulct" tax now col
lected from the saloons of the state Is
to be set apart to pay the expenses OF
the commissioners and their deputies
and provision is also made for special
deputies in case they are needed. AS
many deputies as desired may be sent
into any county. A commissioner or a
deputy may sign an Information in any
county. whether he lives there or not.
Commissioners and their deputies
are to be under bond and subject to
removal in case of neglect or failure
to perform their duties.
The friends of this measure claim
its adoption would settle the question
Of liquor legislation in Iowa and pre-,
vent that question getting into politics
again.
Fear Advantage to Democrats.
It is urged that the last attempt to
establish prohibition in Iowa resulted
in giving the state oyer to the Demo
Gratis, and fears are expressed If a con
stitutional amendment resolution Is
again adopted the same results OF
non enforcement would follow.
The resubmission resolution viii
come up in the house soon after recon
vening next week, and though
strong fight will be made against 1t
there is probability 1t will pass the
house unless it's opponents unite on
the Inman bill.
Senator Jameson is due to start to
Washington next week and be sworn
In as a member of congress, but ne
is in doubt as to just what he ought
to do. The chances are he will remain
right here until at least the fifteenth
of March, possibly longer, as all he
could do at Washington would be to
draw his salary. His place on the
committees will be cared for by Champ
Clark, the minority leader. The ses.
sion which meets In March will take
up the tariff bill. In all probability
there will be nothing that requires a
roll call for at least a month after the
converting as most of the work will
be done in committees. The sena
tors are urging Jameson to remain
right here until there is some reason
why he should go to Washington.
Almost the last of the big appropria
ton bills was presented on Thursday
The bill for completing and decorating
the state historical building and libr
ary calls for for $4,000 which will
| barely be sufficient to do this work
The bill for land for an epileptic
colony may not be urged very hard
though the need of such colony is
said to be becoming more and more
apparent each year With $4,000 q
colony could be established which
would soon become self supporting and
| it would take from the counties at
| least part of the present burden OF
supporting the insane at the hospitals
But persons who have investigated the
! matter feel that the legislature Is not
yet sufficiently we'll Informed to take
|