Iowa Legislature

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan 23d, 1862

Sir:  Thinking a paragraph or two in regard to the doings of the Legislature might be interesting to your numerous readers I employ a leisure moment in noting some of the doings of that body.

To-day quite an animated discussion sprang up on the report of the Committee of Ways and Means recommending that the State assume the collection of payment of Iowa proportion of the twenty millions direct tax voted by Congress.  The arguments urged in favor of this measure are that by assuming the assessment and collection of this tax we not only save the fifteen per cent for collection but will be enabled to equalize the burthens imposed by this tax by taxing alike all property of our citizens, both personal and real whereas should the General Government assess and collect this tax it will be assessed on real estates alone.  If it be as it is urged by some that a large amount will remain delinquent and thus the State will lose more than she will gain by the per cent. allowed, it may be said in reply that a revenue law as stringent as that provided by act of Congress would no doubt secure the collection of most if not the whole amount and finally, patriotism and State pride should prompt us to make great sacrifices to maintain the credit not only of our own State but that of the Nation in this crises of our common country.  Entertaining these views, I have no doubt the Legislature will adopt this measure and that the people will see that the tax is paid at any sacrifice.  They know the worth of our free institutions and are prepared to maintain them at nay sacrifice of treasure and blood.

Connected with this question of taxation is the proposition to receive the U. S. demand notes and notes of our State Bank in payment of taxes which has yet received no action in the House although from indications I am inclined to think our State Bank paper will not be received.

Many resolutions on the subject of the rebellion have been introduced and referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.  When that Committee report[s] we shall no doubt have quite an interesting discussion.

From the number of petitions asking a law to protect sheep from the ravages of dogs, I am inclined to think there will be no quarter shown to poor tray [sic] in time to come.

The prohibitory liquor law receives some considerable action.  Numerous petitions on this subject have already been received and referred to a select committee of nine.  A motion to instruct this committee to report a bill to repeal the present law and substitute therefore a license law was lost by a decided vote.  The indications at present are that the law will remain as at present.

A bill is before the House conferring jurisdiction on County Courts in certain cases.  It gives this Court concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court in civil cases in all sums under $500 and appellate jurisdiction in criminal cases before justices of the peace, in which the justice has power to render a judgment of fine and imprisonment or both.  What disposition will be made of this bill, I am unable to say.

Respectfully yours,

C. J. J.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 1