Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-13

Z
refer to the power sites and advan-
ltageous locations for dams In our var
ious streams. It has come to my know
ledge from various sources that indi-
viduals and corporations, foreign syn
dicates are studying our streams and
endeavoring to get surveys Of our riv-
! ers in order that they may get con-
troll of the best power sites, and, In
some instances, control has already
been secured. While. we have laws re-
lating to these questions, in my opffi-
ion they are Inadequate and should be
made more effective. The public well
fare demands that proper laws for the
acquisition, regulation and control OF
these matters should be enacted.
Better Roads.
81 believe it to be perfectly proper
that the political platform be made a
public forum for the discussion OF
questions tending to the betterment OF
our highways. and to country life gem
orally. These are questions that nave
been given great deal of attention In
recent years and especially. IN recent
months, and with us are prompted IN
part at least by the loss Of rural pop
ulation. l do not believe that too much
stress should be placed upon legisla-
tive enactment, but do believe that
in the general movement In the state
for the betterment of our highways
some laws are needed. I am not, how
ever, in favor Of increasing the taxes
for road purposes, but believe that q
proper division Of the taxes should be
made and specific percentage OF the
taxes should be set apart for dragging
the roads and should be required to be
used for that purpose and no other.
BY this means, / believe we shall be
able to greatly improve the character
Of our highways and with better roads
there will be less desire to leave the
farms to go elsewhere where the
character Of the soil and the rainfall
are such as to afford better highways
than we have heretofore had in this
state. This, coupled with the modern
that are being installed
in many of our country homes, as well
as the exceptionally good prices OF
farm products, seems to me to give
promise of a greater degree Of con-
tentment and desire upon the part Of
our young men and young women and
our boys and girls to remain upon the
farms. I must, however, confess that
the loss Of more than fifty thousand in
our school population during the last
nine years gives cause for alarm, but
I believe that the tide of immigration
to other states where cheaper lands
are. to be had and the greater desire to
remain upon the farms and the adop-
ton Of better and more scientific
methods Of farming and stock raising
are sufficient guarantee that further
decrease In population Is not to be
expected.
Better Labor Laws.
.'There are many matters of import
ance to the people Of our common
wealth that shall not now attempt to
discuss at length, but will perhaps
consider 1t at later date Among
A. 3e n nd
necessity for revision or at least
some modification of the mining law
so as to better protect the lives OF
those who work r-ground and to
avoid such catastrophies as the recent
fire at Cherry, Illinois, and similar hor-
rors in other states. The demand for
some changes in the law comes from
both the miners and mine operators,
some provisions are likewise needed
for the better protection of other labor
Of the state There is a growing neces-
sity for better provisions for caring for
the epileptics of the state. Many OF
them are now cared for at the institu-
ton for feeble minded and at the In
sane asylum, while there are many
who have never found their way into
any state institution.
.sIn nv visit to the industrial schools
and in considering their needs 1t has
been represented to me that In some
instances parties are committed to tho
institution whose influences over the
other inmates is most detrimental. Es-
pecially does this seem to be true IN
cases of a second or subsequent COM
mitment. My understanding is that IN
some states the laws provide that IN
such cases as those above referred to
there may be a transfer from the in
dustrial schools to reformatory and
that the effect of such q law Is not
only to remove from among inmates
those unfit to associate with them, but
that discipline is rendered much more
easy and effective.
There are many problems OF the
character above suggested that have
been worked out elsewhere and which
are worthy of our consideration.
"But in my inaugural address and
upon other locations have referred to
the per diem system of the compensa-
ton for many of the states employees.
The practice is wrong in principle and
should be, so far as Is possible, aban-
doned. I believe that the legislature
NAV profitably consider this question
along with others that have been sug-s
gested.
Economy of Affairs.
81 have served you now more than
year and a half as your governor.
During that time I have endeavored to
acquaint myself With everything per-
tanning to the state and Its affairs. |
have given much thought and con-
sideration to the various departments
of our state government and to our
state institutions. have endeavored to
see that economy is practiced every
where and that so far as the respon-
sibility rests upon me that efficiency
in official positions be required. have
endeavored to see that the state give
a dollars worth Of service for every
dollar collected or eypended. I do not
believe in being niggardly, but do be-
lieye in strict economy.
..In the administration Of the states
business we have found it possible
both last year and this year to make
a slight reduction in the levy for state
purposes, the reduction being one
tenth of a mill for each year to which
reference is made.
st am before you again asking your
support Of my candidacy for re-elec-
ton and if am elected I want to as
sure you that / shall do all in my
power to give you an economical and
a creditable administrati on."