Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-07-29

Pu,1,c DlscussIox.- Saturday Ia, Gov.
yuc.. and srErarx WHIcnrn. Esq addscssed
the people On ths subject q staae Gsssrnmsnt and
in favor Of admission under the NV Of the - -
sislaiure.
The Governor reviewed the history Of Territorial
Governments from the period Of the first creation Of
them 10 the present time, and contrasted ours with
theirs and pointed out the various changes and gra-
dations in their political conditions, and the mode
and circumstances Of their transition from Terrific
vi to State Governments That the law Of Iowa
sumtting it to the people for their action, was an
anomaly IN the history Of Territorial Governments;
that previous to the admission * Michigan and Ar
kansas, Congress had passed laws authorizing inc
eonle Of the Territories meet in Convention and
form State Constitution; that those Territories pro-
cecded in the matter without any law Of Congress-
but under law Of their own Legislature authorizing
the procedure.
He then commented upon the organization Of
Territorial Governments under the Ordinance OF
1857, which secures to the people the right OF ad-
mission when they shall contain population Of co.
600, and stated that the Organic Law of the Terri
tory secures 10 the people Of Iowa, all the rights,
privileges and immunl.ies of that ordinance. BY
that ordinance, States formed under lis provisions
are entitled TO l.36th part OF the lands within lis
limits and to per cent. Of the moneys arising from
the sale of the balance.
AT that period lands were not subject to taxation
for five years after their entry, which lazy is new
repealed as the cause which originated 1t (viz: the
credit systcn) is no longer in force.
The School and University lands, he said, were
unavailable till we became State, that free gov
ernn,eilt could only be rcrpetuaed Ivy the inteli-
gence of the people, and that need these lands
to put our school system into operation, and without
them it is dead letter upon the statute-book.
The estimates of the expenses OF State Gov.
eminent mostly too high, and the Governor here
drew a parallel between the expenses Of Iowa and
those Of the first year of the State Government OF
Ohio, by which it seems that Iowa is more than
double that of Ohio-That perfectly organized
Government was less expensive than one whose pol
icy was unsettled and unccrtain-That under the
Government of State the population would in
crease much more rapidly than under Territorial
Government. He illustrated this position, by refer
ence to the history of the new States, and showed
that the States improve and populate in proportion
to the excellence Of the principle Of their govern
ment.
He adverted 10 the efforts TO make party question
of this subject, and entirely discarded the ideasa
the present was proptious time for us to proceed
in this matter as we could profit by the example Of
our neig hbors, &c.
STEPHEN WATCHER, Esq, followed the Cover
nor and declared himself in favor of admission UNI
der the provisions of the law, upon which he COM
mented and showed that admission could not be
effected in less than TWO years-this provision of
Al a..
any, were aware of the provision in question: or at
least of its import.
He adverted to the political bearing of the ques-
ton, and declared it to arise from the fear of the
Wings; who, believing themselves in the minority
in the Territory, were apprehensive that Democrats
would saddle upon them a Constitution, the pro-
visions of which would displease them.
Mr. Whicher commented upon that portion Of
the remarks of Gov. Lucas, which had reference to
Ohio, and assumed that as they bad cheap govern
men il was cheap IL the sa eessa9sg Sc IL. term;
was Indiana. He was opposed to this extreme cheaps
ness, while, on the other hand, he was opposed to
extravaganza; he wanted good government even
at the expense Of good price. He would hold out
sufficient nducement for good men to accept Office
and not have the offices to go begging throughout
the land.
He, too, believed we could and would profit by
the example Of our neghboring States. in the for.
nation of State Government, and would go ron
it.
Gov. Lucas made a short reply, when Il. p
Lowe, Esq, upon the call Of the meeting, offered
few remarks, but not being Of the objects of
the meeting, was not prepared to go into discus
sion of the subject He, however, declared himself
opposed to admission, principally upon the ground
Of the expense that would fall upon the people, and
because it would be made political question.
The meeting adjourned until tomorrow, at TIVE
O'Clock, when this discussion will be continued