Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-16

OUT Oi tie lives Of men ana returning
them 70 society sm6ittsred against It.
It neither cares for the health. i'm
proves the morals nor has any ten
dency to reform the men. bat results
quite otherwise. II 10 IN economic
absurdity. It is . fine thing. how
ever, for the manufacturer to have
the state furnish him . plant fully
equipped with machinery, heat. light.
power, clothe and feed the men, and
turn them over to him for twenty
five to sixty-four cents per day.
When, in addition, is taken into con-
sideration the great cost to the state
in the administration Of the criminal
law, the maintenance Of the penal in
stitutions, the hardships and suffer-
ing Of the families Of the imprisoned
men the absurdity becomes more glar-
ing. These men ought to work and
so should the men committed to our
jails for misdemeanors. A plan ought
to be devised whereby they could be
pat to work. Men are saved through
work and there absolutely is no other
means Of salvation for them. Be-
sides, every man owes to society oil
that he can do, whether ne is in or
out Il prison. He ought to nave the
same wage In prison that he could
earn II out at the same work. He
ought to pay back to the state cut Of
his wage the expense of his coAv1e~
ton. Then his family, If he has one.
should receive good portion he re-
csiving the balance. He ought to be
rewarded according to his effort.
Hope ought to be kept alive in him.
He ought not be taught to hate the
state. There ought to be classifica-
ton and segregation of criminals. AS
many as possible ought to have out
door work. favor the penal farm
and think this legislature ought to
take steps toward the establishing Of
one.
Presidential Preference Primary.
If the people are competent, and
they are, to select their candidates for
governor to be voted for at the gen
eral election, they certainly are
equally competent to express their
preference as to presidential candi-
dates and think they ought to have
the opportunity to do 10. The peo-
pie, through the representatives Of
each Of the political parties of the
state, assembled in convention, have
declared in favor Of . presidential
preference primary law. There is,
therefore, 30 far as this question Is
concerned. but one thing to do and
that Is to enact such = law. Plat
form pledges should not be simply
high-sounding phrases for the pur-
poses of = popular campaign and
then TO be ignored afterward. I am
sure after careful consideration and
debate . wise conclusion will be
reached ~ to what form this law In
Obedience to the demand Of tho people
shall take.
What have just said with refer
snce 20 platform declarations applies
with equal force t. the question
looking. ultimately to
Woman Suffrage
In this state. The last political con-
ventions all declared, two directly,
one indirectly, perhaps, In favor Of
referring to the people the question OF
so amending the constitution % TO-
confer upon women the equal right
with men to vote. The referendum
ought to be made. II these conven-
lions have voiced the sentiment Of the
people there should b no trifling with
it There may b some question as to
whether women in general desire the
ballot, but in view of these PLATFORM
declarations that is not the question
before this general assembly. II
platform makers have BEEN insincers'
Il do not believe At al they have
been) but if they have let them b
taught the great virtue Of sincerity.
Go to the voters on the question. Let
them speak at the next general cleo
ton.
Reform of Court Procedure.
The question of reform in the mat
ter of both the civil and criminal pro-
cedure Of our courts has become .
matter Of the greatest importance. 1t
is engaging the attention of the best
legal minds of the country. The pro-
cedure, as. it Is witnessed every day
in our courts, as the trial drags along
its weary way before . helpless
Judge is such IS almost to create =
feeling Of disgust. As to civil pro-
cedure it suggests what relief q
eonciliatory court, such as they have
in Germany, would be. What saw
ing Of time and money. On notice
the parties might appear before
Judge. or voluntarily submit to his
jurisdiction, who without reference to
technical procedure or technical rules
Of evidence, or oven lawyers, might
in an hour or two. or half day at
most elicit the facts, tell the parties
what the law applicable to the facts
10, what they ought and what they
ought not to have done and what the
judgment is and, If no settlement &C.
cordingly, enter up the Judgment. Lit
tie expense, little time, no burden to
the people. In this way could be
done in few hours. what would take
the machinery Of our courts Is the
law Is now administered, several days
to do. Such court might be estab-
-