The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-12-24
THE HA Wk- EYE.
1DTIalL1ISy(asE@1T 8
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 81, ls4o.
Pa,tuis,n Il, the Legiszat,s,.e.

Pa,'tyts,as ias the Legislature.
There was great excitement in the
House Of Representatives on Monday and
Tuesday last, on the subject Of printing
the Laws. A resolution from the Coun-
Gil, with our name inserted as printer of
the Laws, was taken from the table in the
House on Monday afternoon, and was
considered in committee of the whole
Being reported back to the House without
amendment, Mr. Summers moved to strike
out the name of ]. G. Edwards and insert
]. Il. McKenny. A division was called
for, and the question came up fol striking
out. Mr. Box, of Lee county, delivered
written speech in favor of striking out.
As he saw US taking notes, he said he
wished the whole of his remarks taken
down; but, as far as we are concerned,
we must be excused from disiguring our
columns with such manifest numbering
of the ':King's English as would ap-
pear were we to publish faithful tran
script Of his speech. He took God to
witness that he did not oppose us on
party grounds, and in some subsequent re-
marks he denied that he opposed US on
personal grounds. If he was not govern
ed by either of these two reasons we
cannot well see what influenced his
conduct. He spoke of his using great
influence, and actually obtaining for US
through his mighty influence, the print
ing of the Wisconsin Laws and that he
subscribed bonus for us to come to
Fort Madison. As to the first, we were
not aware that it was by his especial
influence that we obtained the printing
of the Laws of that Territory and as
to the second, all we have to say is that
if he ever signed a bonus for us to
come to Fort Madison, whatever that
bonus might have been, he neuer paid
1t. He, with others owning property in
Fort Madison, felt that it would be for
their interest to have paper established
at that place, and as an inducement they
offered us bonus Of six hundred dol
lars to come. We left prosperous es-
adjustment in Illinois in consideration Of
this and other inducements and came to
Fort Madison at sacrifice, as it after.
wards turned out, OF two or three thou
sand dollars. All we ever received in
the shape of bonus was the rent of an
office which Gen. BROWNE kindly gave
US. So much for Mr. Box's signature to
the bonus. But we cannot stop 10 COM
ment further upon the remarks of this
man. They are considered of very lit
tie importance; and his own party, who
have made a complete tool of him, are
apparently ashamed Of the ridiculous
figure he always cuts when attempting
to make speech in the Legislature.
While the question for striking out was
pending on Monday evening the House
adjourned until Tuesday.
After the usual preliminary orders of
the day were despatched, the question
came up again on Tuesday morning.
Mr. Mason, from Du Buque, who is
certainly the most talented and intelli-
gent Of the dominant party in the House,
was the first to address the body. He
wished to take an impartial view Of the
subject. He declared that he was no as
pirant for Office. The fact Of his being
in the Legislature was not derogatory to
this statement. He knew the subject of
printing had become very vexed sub
ject and for his part he was heartily tired
of it. And, abiding to the political tur-
moil it had occasioned, he compared it
to the /" Apple Of Discord," which had
disaffected the whole body. He alluded
to the political excitement in which all
had participated, as being 10 some extent
a]layed. He was willing to make con-
cessions. That excitement which they
had brought with them and which had
been kept up by the agitation of the
Presidential question no longer existed.
The great agony was over. The de-
cision was against the party to which he
belonged. He did not despair OH that
account. He viewed the principles of
democracy as being immovable; long
lived IS the rocky brow that overhangs
our stately river. We mos. heartily res
pond to this sentiment, for the Doctor
no doubt alluded to true Democracy.
He thought in giving out the printing,
the Legislature should be governed by
proper principles. The gentleman from