Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-31
WHY THE UNDUE HASTE?

WHY THE UNDUE HASTE?
Rarely has the legislature OF the
state of Iowa had occasion to suspend
rules right and left and smash preced-
ent by introducing a bill, reading It,,
considering it and enacting 1T into
law all in one day. Yet that is what
the last legislature did on the capitol
grounds extension bill. The need for
such speed is not clear and if the bill
is for the good of the state as Is
claimed by some OF its advocates, then
why was it necessary to so upset the
regular order of things? 1t would be
interesting Mr.. Taxpayer, and possibly
enlightening for you to inquire of your
representative or senator or any mem
Der of the executive council the first
opportunity you get, just why the cap
itol grounds extension bill had to be
railroaded through the house and the
senate and enacted into law in one
day. Also it would be we'll to ask
why the precaution was taken on that
day that the bill might not be recon
sidered at some later day in the few
remaining days of the session.
The facts in the case make most
interesting story though they leave
only to conjecture the cause for the
undue haste.
About three years ago the plan to
make considerable addition to the
capitol grounds was preached but
dropped Immediately, as far as the
public knew. Under cover, however, it
was quietly worked out. There were
star chamber sessions and the ways
were nicely creased. When the idea
was sprung the second time it was
put over in a matter of a few short
hours. Here is what happened:
On the 8th of April last year, just
sion which convened January 13, Rep
ed recognition from the chair and
called up for consideration House file
No. $50 (the capitol grounds extension
Juggling, several inconsequential
Ringgold, moved the previous question
on the main question. 1t was instantly
seconded and adopted. Then Dixon
moved that the rules be suspended and
the bill be considered engrossed writ
ten up and recorded) and read third
time, which motion, the house journal
says, prevailed and the bill was read.
Then came the vote on the question
Shall the bill pass?" and the vote was
20 ayes, q nays and IL either absent
or not voting. Next, to prevent the
possibility Of it being taken UP at a
later date, Dixon who had called up
the measure arose and moved to recon
slider the vote and then to lay the mo-
ton to reconsider on the table. Which
same was promptly done, and the bill
was safely past the house.
No time was lost in sending the bill
over to the senate where the proceed
ings were similar to those in the house.
The first and second readings were
had and then Senator Mates asked
unanimous consent to consider the bill
at once. There was objection and
Mates promptly forced his point by a
vote on motion to the same effect.
The bill was then considered and Mat
tes moved that the rule preventing the
second and third reading of bill on
the same day be suspended. His mo-
ton was adopted. Then the senate
journal says, the bill was read for in
formation. AS soon as this was done,
Mates moved that the reading just
finished, be considered the third read
ing and again his motion prevailed. On
the question "Shall the bill pass?" the
vote was "a to with 10 either absent
or not voting. Then Senator Mates
sewed up the bill by moving to recon
slider and to table the motion to recon-
slider, which was done.
The capitol grounds extension bill
had thus become law Except for the
signature of the governor which was
speedily forthcoming) in single day.
To accomplish this end, both the house
and the senate had suspended their
rules of procedure. To make it safe, !
they had moved to reconsider and had
then tabled that motion, thereby burn
ing their bridge behind them |
It certainly will be interesting to get
members of the assembly or executive
council to explain just why such haste |
was necessary in putting through a !
bill which they aver was worthy of
defense before the people.
If it is an honest bill why did it have !
to be put off till the session was nearly |,
over and then damned down the
threats Of the taxpayers without giving |
the taxpayers the opportunity of vot-
ing on it?
MEASURING BRAIN POWER.
DR. r linden Melius Of Johns Hon.