DES MOINES, April [8], 1862.
At the close of the session I deem it proper to give you a little idea of what has been done in the Iowa Legislature since last I wrote. The last week is always a busy one. Bills are rushed through with great haste, though not always with equal prudence.
Among the important bills passed within the last week is Lane’s militia bill. Your correspondent will take back all he said about the impossibility of passing a bill of that character. Any prediction as to the action of an Iowa Legislature is very liable to fail. It did seem as though no bill of that kind could pass; but Mr. Lane knew no such word as fail, and engineered his bill through very successfully and against the predictions of many of its friends. He is deserving of much credit, both for the care bestowed in drafting the bill, which is very complete and carefully arranged, and for the determination and ability he has manifested in urging its claims upon the Legislature. The bill is considerably modified since it was first presented. Everything unnecessary has been omitted, everything that called for expense, or that related to tax or compulsory service. By this bill the militia service will be wholly voluntary, and no fines or taxes are imposed. During the present military spirit, and that which will prevail for years after the war is over, a law providing for voluntary drill in the militia will perhaps suffice. Companies will be formed, and thousands of the young men of Iowa will delight to be drilled by the brave boys who have learned the art of war by practical experience and hard service.
The income tax bill has been killed, and in its stead a bill has been passed reducing the salaries of Supreme and District Judges and of certain State officers. This is a Senate bill, and was only entertained by the House because it was all that could be had. It is a very questionable policy to reduce the salaries of our high officials so low as to make these officers feel that by accepting the offices tendered them they must submit to a pecuniary loss. It will do for men to talk of honor and patriotism, but in this practical age our most talented and patriotic citizens even must look to compensation more or less. If you place the salary too low, no one but a wealthy man or second or third rate one can afford to accept the office. But the people demanded some measure of the kind, and the Legislature has responded.
The Senate bill for the protection of the School Fund has passed both Houses. It makes the several counties liable for the fund loaned out, if loss occurs through any fault of the officers. If it occurs through depreciation of the value of property, the counties are exonerated from all liability for the loss thereby incurred. The counties are made liable to so great an extent that the fund will be more secure than at present.
A bill was introduced providing for the gradual absorption of the fund into the State Treasury, but it was brought forward too late, even had there been no fear on the part of members that the fund would be quite as insecure in the hands of the agents of the State. Such a feeling did exist, but I think a full discussion of the question would have resulted in a different feeling.
The bill providing for a waive of the Stay of Execution in certain cases was defeated.
Yesterday both Houses passed bills in quick succession, a large number being disposed of. Last evening the last sitting of the session commenced. The members felt very joyous over the prospect of an early boat ride in the morning, and of a speedy return home after the protracted labors of the winter. The weather was so unfavorable that comparatively few ladies were present, but those who were present represented their sex very worthily. They know, as ladies of discernment always know, that the ‘lords of creation’ are more good-natured and agreeable after a hearty repast then when they feel the gnawing of hunger. Either because they realized this or because their own generous impulses prompted them, or for both reasons combined, they prepared, in a room below, a sumptuous midnight repast. It was very opportune, I assure you. Every one was ready for it and every one inwardly pleased the hearts that participated, and the hands that arranged the generously bestowed luxuries of the occasion. After satisfying their appetites the members commenced their morning labors at 1 o’clock A. M. The House being somewhat ahead of the Senate resolved itself into a class meeting during a part of the morning, while waiting for business. Many noble sentiments were uttered; the brotherly impulses of all hearts were stirred, and it was refreshing to hear the experience of members, and witness the kindly flow of feeling and sentiment. A little before 6 o’clock the Senate having disposed of the most important bills before it, the Legislature adjourned.
And here let me state that our very worthy Speaker has for over a week been confined to his room by sickness. His absence is very much regretted, for he is not only an admirable officer, but a popular man. He is still confined to his room. During his absence Mr. Rothrock of Cedar as filled the Chair, and notwithstanding the embarrassment of that position at the close of the session, he has proved himself equal to the emergency. A little more experience will make him one of the best presiding officers that could be selected. In this, as in all other positions, he has proven himself a strong and worthy man.
After the adjournment there was a great hurrying to and from on the part of members in order to be ready for the boat, which was waiting for them. Nearly a hundred members went down on the Des Moines City, which left the wharf at 7 A. M. We have thus bid adieu to the assembled wisdom of the State, and are now left to ourselves once more, and to the quiet of our ordinary business life.
In biding [adieu] to the legislators it my very justly be said that no body of men assembled in this State in a legislative capacity, ever went to work with a more earnest determination to transact the business before them faithfully and speedily than the members of the Ninth General Assembly. This determination has been manifested all through the session. The condition of the country is such that much business came before them which would not in ordinary times. Not withstanding this extra business, the session was not a day longer than the session two years ago. Each lasted 86 days. One thing was very manifest in this Legislature – a disposition to frown down long and buncombe speeches.
This much I can say will all truthfulness of the last General Assembly. In whatever respects it may be criticized, no one who has had any acquaintance with the action of the previous Assemblies will deny what I have said above. Neither will any one deny that Scott county has been represented by a very worth delegations – all good, able, generous and faithful as men and as legislators.
J. R. C.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 1
At the close of the session I deem it proper to give you a little idea of what has been done in the Iowa Legislature since last I wrote. The last week is always a busy one. Bills are rushed through with great haste, though not always with equal prudence.
Among the important bills passed within the last week is Lane’s militia bill. Your correspondent will take back all he said about the impossibility of passing a bill of that character. Any prediction as to the action of an Iowa Legislature is very liable to fail. It did seem as though no bill of that kind could pass; but Mr. Lane knew no such word as fail, and engineered his bill through very successfully and against the predictions of many of its friends. He is deserving of much credit, both for the care bestowed in drafting the bill, which is very complete and carefully arranged, and for the determination and ability he has manifested in urging its claims upon the Legislature. The bill is considerably modified since it was first presented. Everything unnecessary has been omitted, everything that called for expense, or that related to tax or compulsory service. By this bill the militia service will be wholly voluntary, and no fines or taxes are imposed. During the present military spirit, and that which will prevail for years after the war is over, a law providing for voluntary drill in the militia will perhaps suffice. Companies will be formed, and thousands of the young men of Iowa will delight to be drilled by the brave boys who have learned the art of war by practical experience and hard service.
The income tax bill has been killed, and in its stead a bill has been passed reducing the salaries of Supreme and District Judges and of certain State officers. This is a Senate bill, and was only entertained by the House because it was all that could be had. It is a very questionable policy to reduce the salaries of our high officials so low as to make these officers feel that by accepting the offices tendered them they must submit to a pecuniary loss. It will do for men to talk of honor and patriotism, but in this practical age our most talented and patriotic citizens even must look to compensation more or less. If you place the salary too low, no one but a wealthy man or second or third rate one can afford to accept the office. But the people demanded some measure of the kind, and the Legislature has responded.
The Senate bill for the protection of the School Fund has passed both Houses. It makes the several counties liable for the fund loaned out, if loss occurs through any fault of the officers. If it occurs through depreciation of the value of property, the counties are exonerated from all liability for the loss thereby incurred. The counties are made liable to so great an extent that the fund will be more secure than at present.
A bill was introduced providing for the gradual absorption of the fund into the State Treasury, but it was brought forward too late, even had there been no fear on the part of members that the fund would be quite as insecure in the hands of the agents of the State. Such a feeling did exist, but I think a full discussion of the question would have resulted in a different feeling.
The bill providing for a waive of the Stay of Execution in certain cases was defeated.
Yesterday both Houses passed bills in quick succession, a large number being disposed of. Last evening the last sitting of the session commenced. The members felt very joyous over the prospect of an early boat ride in the morning, and of a speedy return home after the protracted labors of the winter. The weather was so unfavorable that comparatively few ladies were present, but those who were present represented their sex very worthily. They know, as ladies of discernment always know, that the ‘lords of creation’ are more good-natured and agreeable after a hearty repast then when they feel the gnawing of hunger. Either because they realized this or because their own generous impulses prompted them, or for both reasons combined, they prepared, in a room below, a sumptuous midnight repast. It was very opportune, I assure you. Every one was ready for it and every one inwardly pleased the hearts that participated, and the hands that arranged the generously bestowed luxuries of the occasion. After satisfying their appetites the members commenced their morning labors at 1 o’clock A. M. The House being somewhat ahead of the Senate resolved itself into a class meeting during a part of the morning, while waiting for business. Many noble sentiments were uttered; the brotherly impulses of all hearts were stirred, and it was refreshing to hear the experience of members, and witness the kindly flow of feeling and sentiment. A little before 6 o’clock the Senate having disposed of the most important bills before it, the Legislature adjourned.
And here let me state that our very worthy Speaker has for over a week been confined to his room by sickness. His absence is very much regretted, for he is not only an admirable officer, but a popular man. He is still confined to his room. During his absence Mr. Rothrock of Cedar as filled the Chair, and notwithstanding the embarrassment of that position at the close of the session, he has proved himself equal to the emergency. A little more experience will make him one of the best presiding officers that could be selected. In this, as in all other positions, he has proven himself a strong and worthy man.
After the adjournment there was a great hurrying to and from on the part of members in order to be ready for the boat, which was waiting for them. Nearly a hundred members went down on the Des Moines City, which left the wharf at 7 A. M. We have thus bid adieu to the assembled wisdom of the State, and are now left to ourselves once more, and to the quiet of our ordinary business life.
In biding [adieu] to the legislators it my very justly be said that no body of men assembled in this State in a legislative capacity, ever went to work with a more earnest determination to transact the business before them faithfully and speedily than the members of the Ninth General Assembly. This determination has been manifested all through the session. The condition of the country is such that much business came before them which would not in ordinary times. Not withstanding this extra business, the session was not a day longer than the session two years ago. Each lasted 86 days. One thing was very manifest in this Legislature – a disposition to frown down long and buncombe speeches.
This much I can say will all truthfulness of the last General Assembly. In whatever respects it may be criticized, no one who has had any acquaintance with the action of the previous Assemblies will deny what I have said above. Neither will any one deny that Scott county has been represented by a very worth delegations – all good, able, generous and faithful as men and as legislators.
J. R. C.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 14, 1862, p. 1
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