Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-29
nd over the protest Of the democratic

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and over the protest Of the democratic
party"
The governor wildly brought to the
minds OF all his auditors that unity es
demanded. He told Of his visit to the
southlands not long ago and OF view
inc the historic battlefelds OF the
south. He visited Chattanooga. Sher,
man Heights, Chickamaugua, and told
of the. battle against the confederate
army in which Rosecrans and Thomas
fipured. The armies OF both these fght-
ers were divided and the enemy had
little difficulty In winning a victory.
He recalled the primary election a.
which differences existed between re-
nublicans and Of what responsibility
rested upon republican voters this fali.
He referred to the death OF the lament
an statesman, Senator Dolliver, and OIL
the fact that 1t was within his power
To annoint a successor. "Ont of respect
for Mr. Dolliver," continued the COVER
nor az have decided not to use undue
haste in appointing successor. ANY
selection ] might make would only hold
good until the legislature elected g
senator. Your legislature must do II
and thus the responsibility rests on
the shoulders of you voters. 1t IS up 70
Won people of Wapello county to choose
your representatives in the senate ana
the house. In my life time there never
has been a democratic senator as 2
representative Of this state in the ma
tional house, and do not want to see
such situation. Your representatives
will he compelled to vote Tor suc-
cessor to the late Senator Dolliver, and
/ urge upon you to see TO II that .ne
house and senate OF Iowa is repuor oil.
can
Contipuipg in the discussion OF state
issues. the governor mentioned the
matter Of conservation. He prefaced
his remarks about the Information
given some time ago by the Courier
relative to the number Of acres OF land
which are overlooked at periods BY
high water. He questioned whether the
Des Moines would ever be made navig.
able. hut his statement about the water
power in the river was most positive.
"The question OF conservation said
he @has become one of great interest
hut the attention of our people has
heen directed to matters national
rather than local. II is not only highly
proper, but quite important that we
become active to the fact that we are
vitality interested in the conservation
Of our natural resources here in Iowa.
Passing over the questions Of the pres
eryation OF our forests, the mainte-
nance Of soil the drainage OF the fiat
and overflow lands, etc, wish to come
at once to matter which, in my judg-
ment. demands early consideration. /
refer to the power sites and advantag-
cons locations for dams in our various
streams It has come to my knowledge
from various sources that individuals
and corporations, foreign syndicates
are studying our streams and endeav-
oring to get surveys of our rivers in
order that they may get control OF the
hest power sites and In some instances
control has already been secured.
While we have laws relating to these
questions, in my opinion they are mad
eauate and should be made more ef-
fective. The public welfare demands
that proper laws for the acquisition
regulation and control Of these mat
| tiers should be enacted
Good roads was another subject
treated at some length by the COVER
nor. In his opinion bad Iowa roads
were responsible in large measure
for the loss Of population. In this
connection he said:
II believe it to be perfectly proper
that the political platform be made q
public forum for the discussion OF
questions tending to the betterment OF
our highways, and to country life gen,
orally. These are questions that have
been given q great deal of attention
in recent years and especially in re-
cent months and with us are prompted
in part at least by the loss of rural
incubation. do not believe that too
much stress shou]dr be placed upon
Legislative enactment, but do believe
that in the general movement In the
state for the bettermerlt of our high
ways some laws are needed Lam not,
however, in favor of increasing the
| taxes for road purposes but believe
that a proper division of the taxes
should be made and specific percent
age 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, be-.
lieve we shall be able to greatly i'm
DrOV0 IQ0 CudTdCJeI u our highways
and with better roads there will be
less desire to leave the farms to 60
elsewhere where the character Of the
soil and the rain fall are such as to
afford better highways than we have
heretofore had in this state. This,
coupled with the modern improve.
ments that are being installed in many
OF our country homes as vel las the
Exceptionally good prices of farm pro.
ducts seems to me to give promise OF
greater degree Of contentment and
desire upon the part Of our young men
and young women and our boys and
sgirsl to remain upon the farms.
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 be-
lieve that the tide of immigration to
other states where cheaper lands are
to be had and the greater desire to re-
main upon the farms and the adoption
of better and more scientific methods
Of farming and stock raising are slif-
flcient guarantee that a further de-
crease in population Is not to be ex-
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