Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-12

his home in. TT. Dodge. At the time
Of his death he was representing our
state as its senior member In the
United States senate and his death
caused a vacancy which have filled
by the appointment Of Hon. Lafayette
Young. AS you are aware his APP
pointment lasts only until your hon,
orable body fills the vacancy or adj
journs without filling it. ii
There has been much talk about
the legislatures withholding action
on the matter Of 'electing senator
and providing for special primary
so that the people may express their
preference with reference thereto.
The law clothes you with all the au-
thority necessary to act and enjoins
upon you the responsibility OF filling
the vacancy and trust you will do
so in due time.
II have found the reference depart
ment under the supervision Of Mr.. A.
J. Small, of the law library, to be OF
great value in the study Of new laws
and in securing current information
upon any subjects pertaining to the
affairs of the different states and espe.
cially legislation proposed or enacted
by them / desire to in this manner
commend the work that has been
done and to recommend that provision
be made for It's continuance and ex.
tension.
Il wish to call your attention to the
fact that II it IL your desire that the
federal census Of 1910 be accepted as
evidence OF population 1t will be nee
essary for you to amend the law so
as to make provision therefor. The
old law section 178 of the code, pro-
vided for publishing in the ofhcial
register the population of counties.
cities and towns as shown by Die last
census, either state or federal, and
section 1T provided that wherever in
the code the population was referred
to 1t should be determined by the pub.
LEGATION above mentioned. The Thir.
tieth general assembly repealed and
re-enacted this law emitting any ref.
erence to the federal census or any
provision for publication through the
oficial register so that it appears that
the census report of 1906 must be re.
lied upon and taken. as evidence in
questions as to population until an
other census is taken by the state in
1916. u
THAT this is matter Of much i'm.
portance you will readily observe for
the reason that the salaries of certain
county and township onicials, as we'll
as the allowance and compensation
for deputies and also the determine.
ton Of the suf1ciency OF general con.
sent petitions under the mulct law.
are in many instances determined BY
population
1T Is not my purpose to deal at
length, with the state board of educa.
ton nor institutions under, its con.
troll, am glad to be able to say that
the board and its finance COMMITTEES
have worked together In harmony for
the best interest Of the institutions
and that, In my opinion, the work has
been planned along practical and sue.
cessful lines. IN the boards publish.
ed report you will find a review of
what has been done and also sugges-
lions as to future plans and needs of
the various schools under control OF
the board. The suggestions as to
continuing the millage tax, the read.
justment of salaries, the application
of business methods, ETC., deserve es.
pecial attention.
THE decrease in attendance at the
state university has been the occasion
of much comment ! have made some
inquiry into the cause Of this decrease
and find that two reasons are as.
signed 1t ii claimed by many that
the existence Of saloons in Iowa City
is responsible for the loss Of students,
while others attribute it to the more
stringent requirements for admittance
to the school. 1t is your duty to as.
certain the cause and unless 1t IL
something which tends to the better
ment Of the institution you should not
hesitate to remove 1t.
Tnere Is little, II anything, per-
tanning to banks and banking that
needs to be called to your attention.
The insurance laws of the state
have been SO recently considered by
a commission and acted upon by the
legislature that do not deem 1t nee.
essary to call particular attention to
them at this time. Our companies
are extending and enlarging their.
business and the magnitude and i'm.
portance OF the insurance interests of
the state are constantly growing.
There has been considerable demand
for fire marshal to be provided for
the state at, large, ~ is done by some
Of our adjoining states, and have
been inclined to look with favor upon
establishment OF such an Office, but
must confess that have not had suf-
t1cient opportunity to fully satisfy my
self with reference to the matter It
ls, however, worthy of your considera-
ton.
Reoroanlxe Some Departments,