Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-11

Des Moines. Jan. Introduction in
the number Of general assembly en-
ployes may be the first signal that real
reform is to be the watchword in Iowa
legislative matters this year. Such a
step has been long considered: good
many of the members think this is the
time to move.
In the senate, for many years. the
custom has prevailed of having a
committee clerk for each and every
senator Formerly there was a clerk
for every chairman of a committee in
each house. Practically every senate:
was a chairman of something or other.
About half the house members were
chairmen. The house few years aso
backed up, to small degree, by limit
ing the number of committee clerks
and requiring (tho that is more nomi-
nal that otherwise) that they all De
stenographers. The senate still fol-
lows the custom Of permitting eacn
senator to have clerk. 1t IS bit OF
graft not relished by all.
Keep Il All in the Family.
A member Of the state senate few
years ago had his wife as his conn
mittee clerk" at So per day. Another
at the last session had his daughter on
the payroll while she was attending
Drake University. A great many OF
them have sons or daughters placed on
the payroll this way.
Now some Of the leading senators
propose the introduction into the SEN
ate on the first day, of resolution
limiting the number of committee
clerks, 50 that clerks will be had for
the more important committees; then
a corps of stenographers to do the gen :
era, work for members. A saving OF $7o
a day could thus be easily effected
Governor Pionssr Of Reform.
A serious effort was made four years
ago to start this reform movement but
it got no backing here in public nor
from the newspapers and hac to De
dropped. But the reform microbe has
been at work all the time. Perhaps y
is time for a breaking out. A pioneer III
demanding and insisting upon re-
trenchment, and in actually setting an
example himself, is the next governor,
who will lend his influence to any ana
every movement looking to reduction
of expenses. A free-hand report OF
rotable speech he delivered at the
Grant Club q few years ago, reports
him
"Mr. Clarke said that more business
and less politics is needed In state al
fairs. also national questions. 1aii 10
the national election for determination
In states the feeling is that adequate
service may not be returned for pup
lie funds received withou, shifting the
conscience. The speaker referred 70
the sessions of the Iowa legislature.
There hordes of applicants for places
ALWAYS appear 1t is the chief work
of organization. Politics and not pus-
iress determines the result. The num-
her needed is doubled. Men and women
sit around the legislative halls IN lux
urious ease from one end OF the ses'
sion to the other said MIR. CLARKE
without rendering and service what-
ever in return The amazing thing 10
hin, is that the custom was defended
nv men not disposed to graft. yet u
is graft Of the rankest kind. ne said.
Continuing he is reported az saying:
"such hostile public opinion ought
r. he created as to condemn and over
throw the custom. Here is fine field
for newspaper influence. 1t can not
no rea ched from the inside. The reform
must come from the outside. Political
reform never come from the inside
They are always the result OF ire
mendous onslaught Of public opinion.
Newspapers Give No Head.
Yet. with this splendid tip from the
then speaker Of the house. delivered TO
the Grant Club. and applauded visor-
ously by Des Moi4es people. the matter
has never been from that day to this
mentioned in Dss Moines newspaper:
and it seems thattif reform is to come
it must be this time from The inside
The fact is that in and around oes
Moines. and especially in Des MONIES
newspaper and political circles. there
is not any great demand for reform
that will lesson the cost Of the genera
assemblies, and the members OF the
who see the evils and seek
tc correct them are full well aware
of the fact that they can expect neither
aid nor consolation in their good WORK.