Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-27

is!ature, that mass of business OF the
most vital importance 10 the State, wo'd
demand the attention Of that body during
the present session, and that, judging
from the mental conformation of the
majority which compose it. and those
well known ultra and impracticable po-
litical opinionists, their work will be
done in bungling, extravagan! and i'm
perfect manner. Very little has been
done, as yet; nothing in fact completed,
nne from present indication, there is
nothing TO induce us 10 change our views
or expectations. If the result should be
more favorable we shall cheerfully ac-
knowledge our mistake.
Commencing with the Inaugural OF
Gov. Hampstead, which may perhaps
be regarded as indication of the policy
of the dominant party for the next four
years, we certainly can see no ground to
entertain favorable augury for the flu
ture. His views in relation 10 Bank
ing currency, corporations, and in rela-
lation 10 amending the present consltu-
ton, teach us that SO far as the executive
branch of the government is concerned,
a high wall and deep ditch is interpo-
SEED between the people and the accom-
plshment of much legislation which the
best interests of the State requires. Il
is reduced to certainty, that for The next
four years, we must pay interest 10 for
eigners for currency; our water power
must be wasted for the want of capital
TO erect mills and manufactures; and our
State prohibited from awaiting herself of
the liberality of the General Govern
ment, in the shape of grants for Internal
Improvements. Our hopes are in dis
.ant future. But the Legislature; what
can we expect from their action within
the limits of the constitution. They are
q, present iaboring three subjects, which
require honesty, experience, and re-
gard for the best interests of the State.
We allude to the Des Moines River I'M
proyement, the new code, and the State
Printing.
The Improvement question has been
fully discussed, and if it had not been,
sc are fully sensible that any thing that
we should say farther, would produce
sit faint impression on the Legislature.
We think it probable that inasmuch as
the fund has been so far spent, and pub
lie opinion in the valley, about to exert a
more controlling influence in the politics
ofthe State, being decidedly in favor of the
adoption of some plan, which promises
a reasonable prospect OF the completion
of at least portion Of the work, some
time during the existence Of the present
generation, something will be DONE
Whether wisely or not, remains to be
seen. 1t certainly will not be, if any
possible plan can be discovered to make
further political capital out Of it.
The new code of laws has been re-
ported to the Legislature by the Com
missioners who revised il, and has been
referred TO a committee on question of
printing. The services of eminent
counsel have also been secured to er-
plain it TO the Legislature. The adop-
ton of code Of laws is the highest act
Of legislation, affecting directly The lives
and property of the citizens, and laying
the foundation of the jurisprudence of
the Stale for many years. We have
been of the opinion that our chance to
gel, good code would be better by adop-
ting the report of the commissioners, as
il come from their hands. We would
sooner trust three men of capacity and
experience, in the retirement of their Of
fee, and with ample time to study, con-
siruct and harmonic the whole, accord
ing to the best light Of the age, than a
popular body, composed as our Legisla-
sure is, particularly as we know that
several of the members made certain
points and issues iE relation TO it, before
the people, which will be likely to raise
discussion, consume time, and provoke
party feeling, without beneftting or inn
proving the report in any Particular
There is great deal Of nonsense aaoat
in reference 10 this subject, which we
should be glad to see kept out Of the
code, but which will be very likely 10
creep into it and become law. if it is
submitted 10 protracted discussion, and
the opinion of the legislature, antagonis-
tical TO that Of the Commissioners.
But the subject of finance is the most
serious. Our Constitution contemplates