Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-09-22

sum that means nearly 81 per capita,
or $36 to the family whose earnings
are about $225 per year.
Senator Aldrich says that three hum
dred millions could be saved annually
by the national government. Why
doesn't he do It?
The election Of United States sena-
tors by the people will mean long
stride in the direction OF popular gov
eminent; the direct primary in the
nomination Of officers, move In the
right direction. but more is yet needed.
The initiative and referendum are
needed to give to the people Of our
| state the direct control Of the laws OF
Importance which can be had in no
other way. Though legislator may
be nominated at primary, and elect.
| often they fail or refuse to pass legis-
lation most desired, or pass laws that
are obnoxious to the majority of our
people. The right of the people to pro-
pose laws under proper restrictions.
and to be permitted to vote on them
before they become effective, should
be given and Iowa keep pace with the
a government responsive to the wishes
Of the people.
Closely related to the measure al
ready mentioned is another stated in
our platform as the recall-the right Of
the people Of the county. district or
state that elects to by ballot recall the
servant who has proven himself UNI
worthy OF the trust reposed should be
made effective. Many OF our cities have
adopted the commission form OF gov.
eminent, and In these cases have pro-
vided for the recalling OF the COM
missioners under certain regulations.
II this Is good thing for our cities,
why Is 1t not equally as good for any
other political revision including even
our state officers?
| We all indorse the oft quoted re-
mark that "In all that is good, Iowa
affords the best" And vet with all Of
our advantages and the wealth OF
things that 90 to make q state desir-
able as place to live. It Is q lament
able fact that our state is losing in Its
rural population and our towns and
cities are not making the growth that
we would have them make. Nearly
every state tt the west of us and
some Of the cities OF the east have an
Iowa society, to which only those are
eligible to membership who have
formerly resided in this state. 1t is re-
MAJ kable, the large membership thes.
organizations have.
l Z
The question naturally suggests IT.
self: What is the matter with Iowa?"
Why should so many OF her sons and
daughters seek their homes, and for
tunes elsewhere? Our state Is not ex-
celled anywhere In climate or re-
sources. Its borders are not SO filled
that any must leave, and there is
am inclined to think that among the
causes for this is the extensive adver-
Using that is done, for other states by
the railroads and others interested III
their development. This must be coun-
teracted. am heartily In favor OF A
department to be established Of pub
licity and Immigration. wk1e bust
advantages Of our state and the real
Inducements there are for people to
come and be one among us.
One Of the great railroad men Of the
country Is reported to have said that
! Iowa Is splendid state for the rail-
roads because we produce and ship out
OF the state such a large amount OF
the raw material. and In turn manu-
facture so little of our necessities that
d large amount Of the finished pro-
ducts ready for consumption were
| shipped In, the railroads thus getting
the haul both ways.
/! This is not as 1t should be, and ev-
cry fair 1nducement consistent with
honest management should be given to
capital seeking investment in manu-
factories in our state.
| 1t is claimed that industries have
been driven out Of our state by reason
Of the inequality in freight rates. II
these be true, some semblance OF life
should be injected in our railroad COM
mission and the wrong righted.
II Is usually true that investors are
interested, as is every citizen, In hav-
| ing the burdens of government as
light as possible, and to this end rigid
economy in all public expenditures
should be strictly practiced.
Time forbids that IN one address
should speak OF more OF our state plat
form. believe its provisions, the
more they are considered. will appeal
! to the good Judgment Of the voters Of
the state, and hope as the campaign
progresses to be able to discuss more
OF them.
! Speaking for myself and the dem
ocratic candidates for state and legis-
lative offices, can safely promise that
II intrusted with power, and given the
management OF our state that our aim
will be to SO legislate, and to SO adj
minister, as to merit the approval OF
the intelligent judgment Of as splendid
q citizenship as there Is anywhere
within the borders OF our nation.