Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-01-29

ing on in the State. Many of the Gov
errors of the State within that time
have called attention to the question
and some OF them have urged con-
structive legislation. Some progress
has been made both in the way OF
better laws and in the Improvement
of the highways, but the most that
has been accomplished is an aroused
public sentiment in favor Of better
roads--nerhaps in favor OF perma-
nent roads. Iowa will have perma-
nent roads wher ever she wants them.
She will have better rural schools
whenever she wants them. She Will
not have either before. Legislation
awaits public sentiment-senerally
aroused, organized public demand.
County Management.
One cannot discuss the road ques-
ton without the whole question OF
county management being suggested.
1t, however, Is not intended to do
more than make suggestion. l
have not had opportunity to work out
any definite plan, although feel
there Is much room for improvement.
The administration of the affairs OF
the county ought to be organized with
just as much skill and with just as
much purpose to secure the highest
efficiency as a great business corpor-
alton organizes its business. The
county and the State as well are en-
titled to have their business con-
Quoted along the lines OF up-to-date
methods and such as have been DEM
onstrated in the business world as
absolutely essential to success.
TraffIcking In Offices.
Within the last twelve years the
State has made commendable pro-
gress in eliminating mercy and other
corrupting influences from our cleo
lions. We are insisting all the time
that our democracy should become
more and more democratic. 1t is a
part of the political creed Of the
country to insist upon publicity as
the panacea for our troubles with
"big business" and yet we go into
a political contest sometimes with a
number of "gentlemen's agreements"
hidden away somewhere in the dark.
There are compelling reasons for pub
licity in both cases, but no more In
the one than the other.
Schools.
When one comes to the considera-
ton OF, the question Of r.ral schools
he finds he is face to face with a
problem almost impossible of solu-
ton. And yet that affords no reason
why we should not grapple with it..
Office Of School Treasurer Abolished.
am advised that we now pay
school treasurers $175,000 annually.
This is a needless waste OF the peo-
pies money. The office ought to be
abolished and provision made auth
orizing the county treasurer to pay
all warrants drawn on school funds.
Public Health. ~ @
The preservation of the public
health is matter Of the greatest i'm
portance. Thirty-two years have
passed since the law was enacted
creating State Board OF Health.
There has been little legislation since
and none that makes it possible for
the board to be really efficient in
strument for the public good. In the
beginning 100000 was appropriated
annually and 1t has never been in
creased, but of this the secretary's
salary, $4,000, all the contingent
expenses of his office, the expenses
Of the board and all costs Of printing
are paid 1t Is manifest that there
can be nothing Of consequence left
to enable the board to meet the de-
mands made upon it by a great State
Hog Cholera.
Every few recurring years the state
is ravaged by hog cholera. Millions
OF dollars have been lost by this
scourge. 1t is estimated that fifteen
millions Of dollars have been lost to
the farmers OF the state during the
last year. The hog industry is one
OF the greatest sources OF wealth the
state has. 1t Is now claimed that
this Is a preventable disease It is
of great public interest that the loss
OF such vast sums be prevented. It
is doubtless beyond the power Of the
individual to protect himself. The
matter therefore, becomes one of
public concern. I therefore urge up
on you to investigate the subject thor
oughly and enact such provisions and
make such an appropriation as in
your judgment will afford relief.
Penitentiary Reform.
The question OF a reform in the
management Of our penal institutions
Is one which for some time has COM
manded the attention of our people.
Personally, am ready to say that
the contract labor system ought to be
abolished. l favor the penal farm
and think this legislature ought to
take steps toward the establishing of
one, The experience Of many States
is to my mind conclusive in favor Of
It. Many of them are conducted at a
fine profit to the State as is shown
by the very admirable and exhaus-
tive report of the committee not long
ago appointed by Governor Carroll
to investigate, among other things,
Tertiary at FIT. Madison. I presume
it will be placed on your desks.
make it part of what have to say
upon this subject and commend it
to your thorough study.
Presidential Preference Primary.
If the people are competent, and
they are, to select their candidates
for Governor to be voted for at the
general 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 so. 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, SO far as this question is
concerned, but one thing to do and
that is to enact such a law.