Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-22
MOST INDUSTRIOUS LEGlSlA.
1uAE EVER BROUGHT TO.
GErhER, SAYS HANDING.
RECORD OF HARD WORK
At END OF SIX WEEKS
Majority Of Bills Of Session in and
Many Disposed Of by Committees
Comparatively Small Number to Be
Given Final Approval by Both
Houses-Lesislstius Gossip.
Special to Times-Republicsn.

dustfious and painstakiHg legislators
ever. brought together" That Is the
Characterization Of the Thirty ff;a
general assembly by President Hard
ing, OF the senate.
At the end Of the sixth week OF the
legislative session, this situation -
found TO exist-that while a somewhat
larxer nun Der Of bills have been intro
duced up to date the grist seems about
exhausted: that the committees have
handled a larger number OF bills than
usual, but have not reported very many
for passage; that comparatively snort
sessions have been held and few Oils
passed and yet in fact that more real
work has been done thus far than al
shy session in recent years in the first
six weeks.
1t is my observation said Presi-
dent Harding OF the senate last even
ing. ",ha, the members of the senate,
al least, have done larger amount
of hard work than / have ever seen
done before at q legislative session.
have not urged upon them that they
&c. busy with long SESSIONS and pass
larxe number OF bills. I would be
we'll satisfied with a record OF say not
over thirty bills passed aside from
the appropriation and leEalAing acts
It would be good record Wha, the
members really are doing as I see IL
is to devote themselves earnestly and
conscientiously to the consideration o.
the bills, especially the larger meas
ures, that are before them; to the end
that they may be able 70 pass upon
them inteliigently and have them right
when they are passed.
Il have been watching the work
somewhat and ] believe that the sena-
tors are doing a vasc amount OF ex-
csllent work in committees upon such
measures. for instance. as the public
utilities bill, the school measures, the
highways measures and the taxation
having these things in charge have
been burning the midnight oil in
earnest endeavor TO perfect good meas
ures The very fact that not such a
large number Of bills have been re-
ported or passed is a compliment to the
legislature, for il shows that these bills
are being given good consideration
Yes, it IL N Industrious 1egisla-
ture, and when its work IS done be-
lieve it VIII have faithfully reflected the
sentiment OF the people on the larger
issues Of the day"
Not very much IS being said by the
legislators about the bill! 80 enlarge tie
supreme court. It went thru the house
providing for an increase to nine MEM
bers. Then the house called il back.
Somebody had read the constitution
and discovered that whatever increase
may be made IN the supreme court
80
only be made by the addition o. one
fudge at & session. The original con-
stitution provided Cor three Judges Of
the supreme court, but later provision
was made in an am endment SO thac an
enlargement can be made. But il can
not be made IN an amendment so that
an enlargement can be made. But 4:
can not be made so much at a time.
This may possibly lead 20 the passage
Of bill to increase the number of
Judges 70 seven a. this time, which in
the opinion Of great many O. the
lawyers Sc abou. as large as any one
court ought 10 be.
Attorney General Cosson has care
fully prepared his bill 10 provide for
the four custodisl farms which are 20
be a part Of the general scheme OF
reorganization ss to penal system in
this state. The state is TO be divided
into four districts and there are to
be four Of these farms They are to
take the places OF the ta.ls o. the state
insofar as the iaiis are Used FOR the
purpose 0. Furnishing persons convicted
OF petty orenses The jails will re-
main merely es places OF detention buc
never TO be used as places Of punish
raent and all commitments are to be
to these custodiel farms. This is in
accord With modern thought as to the
best method OF getting al the problem
Of reform o; the petty offenders. An
appropriation O. 100000 will be car
ried to start the work and make the
purchase Of the farms.
These four farms are TO be separa-e
from the state custodial farm which
is to be general refornato-y for per-
sons who would otherwise 60 to Ana
Inosa or Fort Madison.
The senate found Itself IN a peculiar
fangle on the equal suffrage PROPOSE
ton. The friends Of the resolution
literally forced the fight TO cu!n1ina-
ton yesterday. There has been little
or no doubt that II the resolution for an
amendment can be got to the floor OF
Tue seiiiie -!!1 "s fh1en square,! upon
II will be carried: but the fight has
been to prevent this by indirecrion and
to epade a square issue. This was the
purpose OF having a committee report
adverse, and then forcing the Chase
bill for a referendum on the matter
But In the debate on the Chase bin
members were 90 forced to disavow any
intent Of letting the bill stand as q
hufYef for the amendment that II car
not now be argued that one who hal
voted for the Chase bin and agains'
the amendment has In reality fulfilled
the pledge a. to submission Of woman
suffrage. The Chase bill was passed
yaseafday. the house Joint resolution
Tar IN amendment went to the calendar
ana the senate adjourned while thu
ne&see a sustaining the committee re-