Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-13


'oriy-fye years; except such as are or
nay hereafter be exempt by the laws Of
he United States, and shall be armed
equipped, and trained, as the General
Assembly may provide by law.
In my last Message | presented the
number of all able bodied white male
between the ages of eighteen
and forty.fi,e years, subject to military
duty, in each Of the counties had been
reported to me, i'm accordance with an
act entitled "an act requiring the asses
sors TO take lists of persons subject TO
military duty" approved Jan. 25th 1913,
and urged an organization of the militia,
as speedily as practicable. No steps,
however, were taken by the last General
Assembly, to affect that object. The
Sd section of the above mentioned arti-
Gle Of the constitution provides tina, sail
Commissioned officers of the militia
(staf officers excepted) shall be elected
by the persons liable TO perform military
duty, and shall be commissioned by the
Governor" The militia law is at pres
eni, dead letter upon the Statute book.
Some measures should be taken to ar
range the militia into Divisions, Brigades,
Regiments, &C.; TO provide for the cleo
ton of officers in accordance with the
Constitution; and TO provide further for
such an enrolment as will enable The
State TO draw her quota of arms fiom
tho General Government.
AT the last session of the Legislature,
joint resolutions were passed, instruct
ing our Senators and requesting our Rep
resenialires in Congress to procure from
the Government Of The United States.
grants OF lard to aid in the construction
Of Rail Road from Dubuque to keo-
kuk, and also one from Davenport 10
some suitable point near the Council,
Bluffs, on the Missouri river. Our dele
CATION in Congress have labored faithful
Iy 10 obtain these grants, but their efforts
have, as yet, been unsuccessful. The
attention Of that body has, in great
measure, during the last session been di-
rected towards the adjustment, OF difficult
tics W hich threatened 10 disturb the har-
mony Of our Union. | conceive il the
duty of the Legislature to press upon
Congress the necessity and importance
of these works. Further applications.
seconded bv the exerlions of our Sena.
tors and Representatives may, and un-
doubleday will, secure the desired dona-
lions.
The Legislature appropriated the sum
of three thousand dollars towards the
completion of the Public buildings in
this City. The money to be expended
under the superintendent of Hon. JOS
epa Il. Fales. Most of the improve
ments specified in The act have been
made, and they add much 10 the appear.
ance and convenience of the buildings.
A further appropriation will be needed
to finish the work according to the orig
inal plan.
by on act entitled "an act relative 10
The Peniicntiary," approved Jan. ID.
Is49, NJ. A. II. Haskell was appointed
Superintendent OF that institution, and
entered upon the discharge of the du-
ties Of bis Office, on the 10Th day OF
March following. His report of April
Odd, exhibits an inventory of the proper
ty pertaining TO the prison, amounting in
value TO the sum of Ss25.G0 The act
appropriaies $4,000 for repairs upon the
building, which sum has been drawn by
Mr.. Haskell. and expended, as will APP
pear from his report of Nov. 2Slh, l649.
In April last, received Information of
his death, and by virtue of The authori-
ty granted me by the 10Th section of the
act, | appointed Mr.. John Scott, of Lee
county, 10 ill the vacancy. For inior-
nation concerning the condition Of the
Prison, at The time Mr.. Haskell became
Superintendent. and The progress which
has been made in repairing the same,
respectfully refer you to his reports, and
to these of Mr.. Scott, which are here
with submitted.
The Supreme Court has appointed
Hon. George Greene one of their num-
Der. 10 prepare and report the decisions
of that tribunal. The first volume of
his reports has already been published.
The manner in which this work has
teen executed, is highly credi,able to Mr..
Greene, and williavorably compare with
the law reports Of our sister states.
have subscribed on behalf of the stale
for fifty copies Of his first volume, which
were deposited in the Secreiary's office.
A large portion Of them have however
been subsequently, exchanged for the re-
ports Of the several states and terrific
ries. Ii will become your duty TO make
an appropriation TO meetihe expense in
cured on behalf of the state.
From the formation Of the Constitu-
ton 10 the present time, there has been
no subject which has so seriously threa-
tened the dissolution o. The Union, as
that of Slavery. That instrument rec
ognizes the system, and provides for the
restoration Of such slaves as shall es-
cape from their masters, and find refuge
IN other, or non-slaveholding States.-
This clause was inserted as a compro-
mise measure, to conciliate and harmon
ize The differences Of opinion existing
al the formation of the Constitution, rel
alive to this subject, and TO induce the
southern States TO enter into the federal
oo,,, anne aouaul., 20 lat,o. nnI