Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-11-11

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the state election held than gossip nat
urally starts as to the coming legisla-
tive session and its work. 1t is an
anomaly that in a state campaign
there should be studiously shunted
aside practically every issue that IS
sure to come to the front the moment
the serious business Of legislating for
the state is entered upon. But It Is So
1t will all be up to the people. What
they want. if they want it hard enough,
they usually get. The legislative pro-
gram is not entirely plain. It will de-
velop gradually. Some Of It Will have
to be dragged from beneath the rub
bish heap. Other parts will come
down from the top shelf. But by the
first Of January there will be discus
sion Of vast amount Of important
matter that will concern all the people
of the state. Here Will be some OF the
things:
Reform in the election machinery, 10
get better results and to remove some
of the rough places, preserving the
main principle Of the primary system,
but perfecting It,
Further decisive advance in the di-
rection Of reform Of the penal and cor.
receive system Of the state to the enc
that the reformatory idea and indus
trial plan shall be made more effective
Only a beginning has been made.
Important matters regarding the ed
vocational system Of the state, keeping
in mind the need for a larger body Of
trained teachers. better school houses
nd 8
body Of educators.
Still further progress in the direc-
ton OF compelling the utmost economy
in state and county and municipal
management, the elimination Of unnec-
essary expenses, the safeguarding OF
every fund, requirement that for every
dollar expended value shall be received
in full. Iowa is in an enviable posi-
ton in this regard. but there is ye:
much to be done.
A start toward solution of the prob
lem of regulation OF the public utili-
ties, subject which has engaged the
attention ct many of the best men of
the state and concerning which there
is wide divergence of opinion.
Adoption of the budget system. or
similar reform, for state, county and
municipal finances. and giving to the
municipalities especially larger re-
sponsSbility for the conduct of their
own affairs.
The history of legislation III Iowa,
taken as a whole, is one Of which ev-
cry Iowan may we'll be proud. There
has been a steady advance. There has
been consideration of the rights and
interests Of the people. There has
been progress along right lines Con-
ditions which relate to the transaction
Of the public business, in all depart
ments, are very much better today
than ever before in the history of the
state There is less of waste and more
nearly q. complete Punishment. of that
self interest which sometimes shades
into graft Plain and simple busin ess
methods are in vogue where in the past
there has been confusion. There has
been tendency toward Capitalization
and the definite fixing Of authority and
responsibility. OF course this has not
been accomplished without great deal
of discussion and much conflict Of
opinion. Iowa has been filled with
strong and courageous men and they
have not hesitated to clash. But out
of their clashing has come good. One
Of the best features Of it all is that one
may read the record thru many pages
without discovering any trace of par
| tisanship as to these larger matters Of
state concern. 1t Is not because the
partisanship has been hidden, either,
but because it was never existent Re-
publicans and democrats have stood
shoulder to shoulder for good things
A great many persons may rightly
| claim a share in the progress made.
Few, indeed, Of conspicuous stan ding
in the affairs Of state have failed to
| contribute something Of value. Iowa
legislators and state and county off,
| GERS are and have been, as class
high-m minded and loyal citizens Of
Iowa, each one devoted to the good Of
the state, differing mainly as to meth
DDS. It will continue to be so. There