Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1907 — LIVE ISSUES BEFORE LEGLATURES. [ARTICLE]

LIVE ISSUES BEFORE LEGLATURES.

If the prices of food keep on going up the average citizen will take very little interest in further talk about “pure food” legislation. Food of any kind is what will concern him. Mr. Roosevelt put the finishing touches on the Storers on Christmas day. He named two white house kittens “Bellamy” and “Maria.” Son-in-law Longworth, who is Mrs. Storer’s nephew, may enjoy the joke—and then he may not. That member of the general assembly who shall introduce and secure the passage of a bill to clip the claws of the school-book trust will do a mighty big thing for himself as well as for the parents of the state, who are being annually robbed. The poor man who wants to build a home for his family before he dies but is prevented from doing so by the robber tariff on building material, will be delighted to learn that the Republicans have no intention to revise the Dingley law. It is stated by an Indianapolis paper that Governor Hanly finds himself compelled, for lack of time and space, tojeave out of his forthcoming message much of the advise that he had intended to offer. But the omission may not be an unmixed calamity. Unless Senator Foraker can show that the dismissed negro soldiers were innocent of the crimes charged against them, he will get scant sympathy from the country. Besides, on general principles the country doesn’t think much of Foraker, anyhow.

It is admitted that the legislalature should pass a first-class, up* to-date, anti-trust law, a two cent railroad fare law, a public depositories law, an honest ditch law, and a decent clean elections measure in place of the present Republican excrescences. It is also admitted that thb cities and towns law needs improvement, and that there is a crying need for the right sort of a corporation law. It is also admitted that the state’s finances need a thorough overhauling and that the tax burdens of the people should be reduced. Many other things demand the attention of the legislature, also.

Oar Shortage—North Dakota, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri,

' Nevada, Oregon, Nebraska, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Minnesota. Reciprocal demurrage the main hope. Railroad Regulation—North Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Indiana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Idaho, Kansas, Utah, Minnesota and Illinois. Create new railroad commissions or strengthen existing ones. Two-Cent Fares —North Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Michigan, South Dakota, Nebraska, Indiana and Minnesota. Fights will be bitter. Anti-Pass Measures —Missouri, Illinois, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Minnesota. Several assemblies virtually pledged. Primary Elections —North Dakota, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Washington and Kansas. Four states pledged. Governors in others favor.

Liquor Traffic —Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Washington and Illinois. Local option or more drastic state regulation. Insurance —North Dakota, Texas, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, California, Minnesota, Illinois and Wisconsin. Avalanche of bills enpected; some radical and sweeping. Taxation —Wisconsin, Texas, Nebraska, Washington, Minnesota and Illinois, Aimed chiefly against public service corporations. Entire revision of several codes. Income Tax —Wisconsin to consider bill for graduated tax. Other states expected to have hot fights. Divorce Regulation—No mention in any forecast, but many restrictive measures looked for. State and Private Banks —Illinois and Kansas particularly propose drastic new laws to protect depositors. Other states to fall in line.

Miscellaneous —California and Nevada to entertain bills against prize fights; Wisconsin to sterilize feeble-minded and insane and establish pension system for the aged. Texas to wipe out cotten bucket shops; Illinois to rejuvenate charitable institutions.