Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-01-18

CAPITOL GROUNDS ID mattSS u'es
should have confederation. The day
Il now here when these grounds sur
rounding US should be more spacious
and they should be made more beau
;tiful. They do not meet the materi-
lsl demands Of the present and for the
future they will be entirely made
quate. The future should ever be in
mind. We build for those who are
to come after US. We should have a
vision of what Iowa is to do and be.
In the extension Of the grounds re-
gard should be had for q better set
Ting Of the capitol. The whole ques-
ton Of the enlargement and location
of buildings and monuments should
at once be placed in the hands Of the
best landscape artist that could b
found, with instructions to prepare =
plan commensurate with the r needs
and ideals of great, progressive ana
cultured people. It cannot al DO
done at once, but . beginning can
be made. Every day Of postponement
only makes tho realization more ex-'
pensive and difficult. What is done
should be in accordance with plan
to end in both utility and great ar
tistic beauty. p, ;.
It is the land that must sustain all
other interests. Iowa is unsurpassed
in the fertility of her soil and there
lies one of her greatest future possi-
bilities. All that has been done in
the past is but beginning. ANY,
thing intended to promote our agri-
cultural interests should command
serious attention. Public lands are
gone. The population Of the country
is increasing more than million an
nually. The soil must meet the de-
mands Of the oncoming millions.
Earnest, sincere, patriotic men are
trying to devise ways and means. II
legislation will assist-lend hand.
Here I want to say that have been
requested to call attention to the
weed law. 1 gladly do so. 1t should
be strengthened.
The encouragement given to our
dairy interests heretofore by the leg
islature has wonderfully stimulated
that industry. No other single indus
try has made such rapid progress. Its
product in the last few years has
doubled over and over to the enrich
ment Of the people in money and pro-
ductivity of soil. II further legisla-
ton is needed to protect it, spare it
not. The benefit is to all the people.
Our manufacturing industries are
growing rapidly. Already am ad-
vised by the secretary Of the Manu-
facturers' Association we have $685.
100000 invested in 5000 factories,
employing 10000 wage earners and
using 22O million dollars worth OF
material annually, with an annual
output. worth 1886, 900, 900. Located
in the heart Of the American CONT
nent between two Of the greatest riv.
ers in the world, with q soil not ex.
celled by any other Of equal extent
on the globe, surrounded by the teem-
ing millions of the, not distant years,
Iowa as an agricultural and manu-
featuring state, great also in her cit
izenship, appears in the vision OF the
fut ire in inspiring and indescribable
splendor. Down yonder at Keokuk
where her civilization first began to
take root is nearing completion ono
Of the greatest triumphs Of engineer
ing which human history has yet re-
corded. The great Father Of Waters
which for unmeasursd ages has vast
ed his vast energy ~ hs swept on to
the sea has been harnessed and his
power captured for the lighting and
heating of cities, for giving power to
manufacturing plants, for the whirl-
ing of unnumbered spindles, the
grinding of the grains of the great
valley and the rapid transportation Of
the people. Manufacturing in Iowa
will receive a great impetus there.
The Thirty-fifth General Assembly
has before it the opportunity to make
for itself a most distinguished place
in Iowa history. I doubt if ever be-
fore more inspiring program ever
presented itself in this state. The
subjects for consideration nearly all
20 to the matter Of the betterment Of
human conditions. They touch the
life of the people. They suggest the
passing of the old day and the bright
dawning of the new. They suggest
the loosening Of the grasp of human
selishness and the extension of the
hand of sympathy and brotherhood.
think the state should concern itself
about the betterment of human be-
ings, about the protection Of human
welfare. feel that the state ought to
be humane. The state ought TO be q
great moral force in the world.
Righteousness exalteth q nation"
The state must be positive good. 1t
must have a conscience. Our pros
perity must be built upon the happi-
ness, education and welfare Of each
man. Business and human betterment
can increase together if these prob
lens are rightly taken hold Of What