The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-12-10
COUNCIL.

z Messages.--From the House of Repre-
sentativea, stating that the House had
passed certain bills, &c.
Resolutions.--By Mr. Johnston; In
s,ructing the judiciary com. inquire in
10 the expediency of so amending the law
relating to divorce, as to strike out the
particular causes for the dissolution of the
bonds of matrimony, and leave all appli-
cation for divorce 10 the discretion of the
court and jury.
By Mr. Coop; Instructing the commit
tee on Territorial affairs, 10 inquire into
The expediency Of distributing the laws of
the Territory in such manner as to allow
cons!ables and other township officers a
copy of said laws.
BY Mr. Bailey; That the Governor be
requested to inform the Council, whether
the contingent fund of three hundred aud
fifty dollars, has been appropriated by
Congress, as provided for in the organic
law, and if so. what disposition has been
made of the said appropriation.
BY Mr. Greene; lnstructing the Judicial
ry committee to examine into the expedi-
ency Of so amending An act TO allow and
regulate the action of right, approved De-
cember twenty-seven, eighteen hundred
and thirty-eight, as to leave it to the cleo
ton Of persons wishing to recover any in
teres. in lands, &C.. to commence suit un-
der the provisions Of said act or by com.
mon law process of ejectment.
Reports. Parker, from the Judicial
ry committee, instructed, by resolution,
TO inquire into the expediency Of so
amending the law relating to the appoint
ment and duties of sheriffs. as to author
ize them to offer rewards for the appre.
hension Of fugitives from justice, report,
that, having under the instruction of an
other resolution reported A bill authoriz-
ing the Governor to offer rewards, they
therefore deem it inexpedient SO to amend
the law regulating sheriff's duty, and ask
TO be discharged from further considera.
,ion OF said resolution, agreed TO.
Mr. Parker, from same committee in
structed by resolution to inquire into the
expediency Of repeating SO much of the
fourth section of article third of the act 10
provide for the appointment of justices Of
the peace, &c., as leaves it in the power
Of The defendant TO demand security for
cost, report, that they deem it lnexpedi-
ent to do so. They consider that if secu-
rity be demanded in the absence OF plain
tiff, such absence does not constitute a re-
fusal; and if the demand is persisted in, it
is the duty of the justice to continue the
suit and let plaintiff have notice Of such
demand. They therefore ask to be dis
charged from the further consideration of
the subject; report laid on the table.
Mr. Johnston, from the committee on
public buildings, instructed by resolu.
tons to inquire into the expedency of dis
pensing with two Of the commissioners
appointed TO locate the seat of govern
Eaent; also, the expediency of reducing the
salary of the acting commissioner from
twelve hundred dollars to one thousand
dollars; report, that, in view Of the i'm
portance Of the duties and responsibilities
imposed upon the acting commissioner,
which have from time to time been in.
creased without an increase OF salary, as
also, the importance Of having the consent
and assistance Of his associates who may
be considered the representatives of the
several portions Of the Territory from
which they are selected, and receiving no
Fixed salary but only daily pay when en-
gagged in the performance Of their duties.
They cannot recommend the reduction Of
the number Of commissioners or the sala.
ry5of the acting commissioner. and ask to
be discharged from the further considera-
lion Of the subject. The report was laid
on the table till Saturday. Dec. S.
Mr. Greene, from the committee on en-
crossed bills. reported as correctly en-
crossed several bills, &c.
Bills, &C., first and second reading.--#
No. 8. c. F. A bill releative 10 negotiable
papers. was taken up, and the report Of
The committee Of the whole Council was
zepiIcarred in, and after further amend
mems was ordered to the third reading on
SS.An.I.,, nAo