Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-15
cossoN's RECOMMENDATIONS
[Muscatine Journal.]

While we would not undertake to
approve in its entirety or recommend
the enactment into law of the entire
| program Of reform that any individ-
ual, no matter how wise or gifted.
might suggest, we think that the
| lawmakers Of Iowa might very profit
| ably give due attention to the report
| of Attorney General Cosson made pub
| lie last Saturday. Surely In that COM
/! prehensive program of social and legal
reform there are suggested many i'm
( provements upon our present laws
which must appeal to by far the great
er portion of the rank and file of
Iowa's citizens.
/ we submit tina: reforms IN our Judi
cial procedure which would tend to
lessen the Importance Of technicalities
! and to eliminate the delays only too
common to the progress of cases thru
our courts, would do more to restore
among the people that respect for the
courts which ought to exist than ali
| the imprisoned rebukes that could
ever be hurled at an iconcclastic pub
lie. Mr.. Cosson suggests many reforms
| IN this direction, the wisdom of which
| are at least worthy Of inquiry and con-
! sideration.
At the time the report Of the COM
mittee appointed to investigate con-
ditions at the Fort Madison peniten-
tiary was made public. we expressed
our approval of the main provisions
of that report, and we believe the most
enlightened thought OF the state is in
favor OF a fundamental change in oul
jail and penitentiary system along the
lines suggested by that report The
stain Of contract prison labor ought tc
be washed forever from the good name
of Iowa.
Mr.. Cosson recommends the passage
of a workmens compensation act
Some such a measure Is almost GER
tain TO be forthcoming from the pres
ent legislature. tho the form which II
will take is as we, a matter OF spec
ulation. That it will not meet the en-
tire approval Of all concerned. must be
iaccepted in advance. Let US hope that
it will be farmed in spirit OF fair
ness and will be Just to both employer
and employed. But Mr.. .Cosson also
recommends a law concerning which
there has been much less agitation. but
which is just as badly needed in JUS
tice both to the employers. the en-
ployes and the general public OF tbs
state That is law relating to con-
Citation and arbitration of labor dis.
putes. No need to say here in Mus
catine how badly such law Is needed
Who can doubt. had the legal machin-
cry for arbitration existed in the frs
days of Muscatines unfortunate
struggle. a long period OF strife ane
bitterness might have been avertet
with eventual results far more bene
fetal for all parties?
We have never ceased to regret tina
this judicial district saw fit to depar
from the non-partisan system Of Sc
. lecting the judges. We are personally
therefore, glad to find in Attorney Gen
eral Cosson's report a recommendation
of the Inauguration Of the non parti
: san system by law thruout the state.
, Other recommendations contained ii
The report are equally important. per
ha2s, and the whole comprises sane
comprehensive program Of legal an
social reform for which the state
indebted to its attorney general an
tc which the legislature should Civ
: more than passing attention.