Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-04-18
LEGISLATURE CLOSED
SESSIONS SATURDAY
Thirty-Seventh General Assembly
Closed After Three Months
Session.
MANY BILLS WERE
BURIED DEEP
-Four Year County Office Bill Lost
Out. Submission Prohibitory
Amendment Set for
October IL.
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mile of road assigned to them at
least once each week and be respon-
sible for its repair and maintenance.
1t revolutionizes the system of high
way upkeep and will reduce the cost,
it hackers assert.
The Balkema bill accepts the fed
eral governments offer of $4,000
600 aid in road building within the
next five years. The state is required
to add an equal amount, giving Iowa
S4,4OO,0O0 for road improvements
in the next five years. 1t will be
spent proportionately among coun-
ties.
War to the Fore.
Military legislation, necessitated
by Americas advent into the war,
came first in the consideration of
both houses in the closing days. One
million dollars was appropriated for
raising and equipping an army should
Iowa be called upon. The governor
was authorized to require the regis
tration of all enemy aliens and to es-
tablish a secret service and constabu-
larry for the protection of property
and the curbing of hostile acts. Sol
diers and sailors who enlist for the
war are exempt from being called
upon to pay debts until after the
war. Heavy penalties were provided
for espionage, treason and unfriend-
ly acts of citizens.
Saiingers And The Cabinet.
The most important act of the leg
islature from a political standpoint
was the repeal of the non-partisan
Judiciary law, accomplished during
the closing week of the session. 1t
was killed for the same reason as
the four-year term bill, which would
have legislated into Office 297 audi
tors, clerks and sheriffs, and the the
eighth Judge bill, which would have
added an eighth justice to the su-
preme bench.
The last two named had passed
both houses. Both houses suddenly
broke out in open revolt against the
bills because they were supported
by the Kitchen cabinet. The kitch-
en- cabinet was largely Ben and Lou
Salinger, sons of Justice Salinger,
and George Messenger, new state
banking commissioner, and several
others. Justice Salinger himself was
considered to hold a portfolio by
legislators. The four-year term bill
was killed because of the prevailing
opinion that it was conceived to pay
off bunch of political debts to
faithful county officers. The eighth
Judge bill was killed because Justice
Salinger and his sons were so active
in its behalf and because of the
charges made by Senator Perry Hol-
doegel that the only man behind
with his work on the supreme bench
is Justice Salinger. Legislators in
both houses got so warm under the
collar that the non-partisan judici-
airy law was called up and killed af-
ithad previously been saved earlier in
the session. 1t was direct slap at
the Salingers and a rebuke for their
activity in legislative halls. The kit
'hen cabinet disappeared from the
ate house two weeks ago. 1t was
90 warm.
The Salingers, through the action
IF the legislature, promise to be a
big issue in the next campaign-pro-
vided of course, there is no war All
issues would be forgotten if the ma
ion were involved in great strug-
gle.
Blue Laws Stand.
Another important measure killed
yas the repeal of the blue laws.
nee killed in the house, the repea.
as taken up in the senate in anoth-
form, passed and sent to the
ouse. The house killed it in spite
: the warning of Attorney General
.vner that he would close up every
ng in Iowa on Sunday If the blue
US were left on the statute books.
senate said. 1--WE are against
sing up the state unless the peO-
approve" The house said. eve
in favor of closing the state on
lday regardless of the wishes OF
people" The senate bill provid-
for home rule on the Sabbath
lestion as far as Sunday theaters
q concerned.
Amendment to People.