tained from the manufacture of food products, and is the natural outgrowth of the great agricultural importance of the State. Over a fourth of the product, or 15.6 per cent. of the total value of the products, is represented by the slaughtering and meat-packing industry. This, however, falls much below the value of the same products in a number of the other Mississippi Valley States. The factory products of cheese, butter, and condensed milk rank next in importance. In this industry the State is surpassed by only two others. During the decade 1890-1900 the industry increased 50.3 per cent. Flouring and grist mill products are next in rank, but the value of these is much less than it is in most of the other North Central States. The manufacturing of food preparations is still of minor importance, but showed a very significant gain during the decade.
Another important group of manufactures depends upon the timber resources of the State for its raw materials. The forests, largely limited to the river-courses in the eastern part of the State, have now become greatly reduced. The larger and finer trees throughout the forest area have generally been removed. There has been a resulting decrease in the value of the lumber and timber products. Nevertheless, the products of the planing-mills and of the carriage and wagon factories have recently increased in value.
The extensive development of railroads in the State gives occasion for the construction of cars and for repair-shop works, and this industry employs more wage-earners than does any other branch of manufacturing. Printing and publishing, and the making of foundry and machine-shop products, are important industries. The manufacture of pearl buttons has developed during the decade into a thriving industry. The material out of which the buttons are made is the shell of the fresh-water mussel. None of the foregoing industries is centralized at any one place. The lumber industry is greatest along the Mississippi River, but the industries in general are well distributed throughout the State. Sioux City, Davenport, Dubuque, and Des Moines are the leading centres.
Transportation. Iowa is admirably provided with transportation facilities. Water transportation is afforded by the Mississippi River on the east. Owing to the State's situation, a large number of the most important railroad lines of the country pass through it. Des Moines is the centre of a large number of lines, and every section of the State is amply provided. It is interesting to note that in the western part most of the railroads follow the course of some river, so that all the larger tributaries to the Missouri River are paralleled by a railroad, thus giving them a northeast and southwest direction. The first railroad was constructed in Scott County, in 1854. In 1860 there were 655 miles of railroad; in 1890, 8416; and in 1900, 9391 miles. The decade of greatest increase was that between the years 1880 and 1890. There are 16.56 miles of line to every 100 square miles of territory, and 41.15 miles to every 10,000 inhabitants. Only three States exceed Iowa in actual mileage, and only one of these—Texas—is west of the Mississippi River. A railroad commission fixes rates, and its schedules are to be deemed reasonable until disproved.
Banking. Iowa is remarkable in that it has a larger number of banks and banking houses than has any other State in the Union. In 1902 it had 230 national banks, with loans amounting to $74,032,000; cash, etc., $5,533,000; capital, $15,485,000; and deposits, $66,585,000. The 508 State banks had in the same year a capital of $18,131,400, and a surplus of $2,312,061. The private banks numbered 667 and had a capital of $12,612,339 and a surplus of $1,754,489.
Finance. According to the Constitution, the credit of the State cannot be loaned to any individual, association, or corporation, nor can the State become responsible for the debts or liabilities of any of these. Unless for war purposes, the State cannot incur an indebtedness greater than $250,000. No county or other political or municipal corporation can incur an indebtedness exceeding 5 per cent. of the value of its taxable property. In 1900 the State indebtedness amounted to only $10,936. For the year ending June, 1900, the receipts amounted to $2,592,496; the disbursements to $2,056,027. Property is assessed at its full value, one-fourth of which constitutes its taxable value.
Government. Iowa has its second Constitution, the present one being adopted in a convention, and in turn by a general election in 1857. Each tenth year the question “Shall there be a convention to revise the Constitution and amend the same?” is voted upon at a general election, and if a majority of the qualified electors approve the proposition, a convention must be called by the General Assembly. A proposed amendment must receive a majority vote of the members elected to each of the two Houses at two consecutively chosen Legislatures and then be approved by a majority of the State electors at a popular election. Male citizens who have resided in the State six months, and in the county sixty days, and who are accounted of sane mind and have not been convicted of any infamous crime, are allowed to vote.
Legislative. The capital is Des Moines. The day on which elections occur is the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November. The Legislature consists of a Senate of not exceeding fifty members, elected for four years, half of them biennially, and a House of not exceeding one hundred members, elected biennially. Each member receives a compensation fixed by law. The sessions are biennial, occurring in the even years. Senators must be twenty-five years of age; Representatives, twenty-one years; and the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor, thirty years. Bills may originate in either House, and every bill requires the assent of a majority of all the members elected to each branch in order to become a law. A majority of two-thirds of the members of each House overcomes the Governor's veto. All impeachments must be made by the House and tried by the Senate.
Executive. The Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Attorney-General, and Treasurer, are elected for terms of two years. The Lieutenant-Governor, president pro tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House, are in the line of succession to the Governorship, in case of vacancy in that office. The Governor has the usual pardoning power, under regulations, and may convoke extraordinary sessions of the Legislature.
Judicial. The Supreme Court consists of a chief judge and five associate justices. The State
