Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-12
ton may be submitted a. the next gen
eral election.
Meandered Lakes and Lake Beds.

Il
eral election.
Meandered Lakes and Lake Beds.
Among all the multitudinous duties
imposed by the law upon the executive
council none are more difficult OF full
Allment than those with reference to
what are called the lakes and lake
beds OF the state. There are constant
appeals for the drainage of some OF
these lake beds. There is just ~ con-
slant opposition to 1t. There 10 . con-
slant demand for the preservation OF
the lakes. do not think there ID Q
man in Iowa who would drain or de-
stroy one Of them. The republican
party in one of it's planks demanded
at its last convention that the lakes
be preserved The difficulty arises
with reference to lakes which were
meandered by the original government
survey, but which, as some insist.
have degenerated into swamps and
marshes or practically filled with
vegetable growth and no longer have
any Of the characteristics of q lake.
Some OF our most public spirited and
progressive citizens urge that these
should be preserved and improved
as authorized by the law by dredging.
This has seemed to the council as ut
terly impracticable as we'll as being
entirely prohibited by the cost. The
council ought not to be charged with
the duty and responsibility OF settling
the controversy, indeed. they cannot
settle it. This general assembly ought
not to adjourn without enacting def
mite, specific legislation touching this
question.
Reorganization of the State Govern
ment.
The committee on retrenchment and
reform has submitted report which,
II acted upon favorably, involves re-
organization Of the state government.
l shall not enter upon discussion OF
1t. 1t involves questions of great in
terest and discussion of them would
discover, l doubt not, very conflicting
views. Inasmuch as 1t proposes prac-
tically an entire change In the COVER
nor's office with relation to the state
government l think, perhaps. 1t would
be in better taste If should pass 1t
with only a suggestion. 1t proposes
to make the governor the responsible
head of all OF the departments OF the
state government. responsible for the
service and efficiency Of every man
throughout the entire organization. or
practically so. That would be little.
IL any. change from the situation as 1t
now exists for I have already dis
covered in my experience that the
governor is held responsible for every
thing that is done or happens without
being clothed with the powers the re-
organization proposes. don't see
why two or three years should be
squandered in fixing up the constitu-
ton so they can get at him. That
would be a work of supererogation.
! They go straight at him anyhow. AT
any rate that has been my observation.
| Four Year Term for Governor.
But seriously. while there is talk
about reorganixing the government,
want to say am thoroughly con-
WINGED. both from observation and my
own experience. that It would be far
more satisfactory to the people and
far better service could be rendered
them II the governor were elected for
a term Of four years rather than two.
and made ineligible to another success
sve term. AS 1t is. he enters upon
his first term with the incoming OF q
general assembly. That ought not to
be so. but will not discuss that ques-
ton. Soon. II not Immediately. after
the adjournment of the legislature. IL
the experience OF recent years Is to be
taken as a precedent, and In view OF
our primary system OF nominating
candidates. he must begin prepare
lions for and eventually enter upon q
long speaking campaign for re-nom-
nation. Securing 1t he must practic-
ally continue his campaign for re-
election. Heemust do these things or
ANONYMOUSLY and pusillanimously
sometimes surrender all that he stood
for and abandon all that he hoped to
accomplish in the way Of public serv-
ice. All this constantly distracts his
mind from his public duties. prevents
him from giving himself wholly and
unreservedly to the study OF public
affairs as they relate to the welfare OF
the people-prevents him from devot-
Ing all his energies to the public good.
1t all seriously effects his efficiency
as public servant.
| Reduction Of Membership In tho
General Assembly.
| have long been Of the opinion that
legislative bodies in this country are
too large for the best. most careful
and most satisfactory work. This
opinion has ripened into conviction
II our house Of representatives were
reduced from 10s to 90 and our senate
to rs I believe any observing. thought
full man, especially II he had had &C.
tual experience in legislation. would
agree with this view. Legislation
could and would receive much more
careful and critical study. 1t would
be much more thorough, concise, clear
and mature. II would be far less vol
luminous. One legislature would be.
come in fact deliberative body
There would be better quality OF de-
bate. There would be better behavior
of members. Numbers obstruct delib-
Grafton. A large number involves con.
fusion and prevents concentration Of
thought and effort. The principle ID
- .s~o-.,t,oJ acv,vhoen olan nnAnnp