Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-01-10

qulet-conslderlng that the Assembly is
in session. There are no very exciting
questions np--no political matters 10 BE-
agitated-no elections expected, ant
hence there is not much crowd. Legis.
lation appears TO move on quite slowly
indeed. While the two houses appear
to be very industriously at work--ye
there are so many blatherskiting speech.
es made, that nothing hardly is DONE
The new code is, of course, the impor.
tant business of the session; and it is
indeed, very important. A new law is
hereby given 10 the State, and nothing
that we have ever had in the way of leg
islation demands such careful and free
consideration. If ! was more parlicu
larly acquainted with the different pro-
visions of the code, | should like to re.
fer 10 them in detail. But suppose
you of course have had something abou
the different provisions already in youi
paper, and il would now be too late
The provision with regard TO the Coun-
ty Court meets with pretty general favor.
and so it is with reference TO more parts
of the code, with here and there an ex.
ception. ,s.-aa .t., 10 n.
Nothing of a political character has
come up, as far as | know. 1t is true
that once and awhile little spar will
take place, but it soon passes off,
| find one thing, however--that this most
beautiful Constitution is getting 10 be
more and more in the -acay Of effectnal
legislation, and another thing, mat ii is
just as easy got om Of the ,0ay by our
locofoco friends. / have heard great
many speeches in both Houses, and in
more than half of them. | have heard
measures opposed because they came in
conflict with the constitution, and this by
Democrats. If ! should Judge from all
| hear, am bound to believe that there
are great many Constitutional Lar.
gers in this General Assembly. You
would be surprised to hear the different
constructions, and especially to see what
liberal constructionists some of our loco
cofoco brethren are getting TO be. And
while upon this subject, let ms mention
a little joke that is passing. Judge
Grant, you recollect, was member of
the Convention that formed the Consti-
tuition. He has been here this winter,
as lobby member, very active to get
some measures through about some Rail
Road. His measures were opposed We
ry bitterly by the Hon. member from
Johnson, Mr.. Folsom. 1t appears that
Mr.. F. took strong grounds in favor of a
strict construction of the Constitution
and was violently opposed to granting
charters TO companies. His Honor,
Judge g., meeting his friend +. one
day says to him: "See here Folsom,
where do you get your arguments you
are making on these queslions--where
did you learn such Democracy" "Oh,"
says Folsom. in his comical style, 81 am
merely repeating the speeches you made
in the Convention that formed the Con-
stitution." "Oh, all, yes," says Judge
g., "well ] give up" And thus the in
teresting conlab closed.
This short colloquy is not without its
moral. 1t demonstrates that locofoco
theory and promises are one thing. and
their action another. We all know
what was claimed for this Constitution
at the time it was formed, and what a
perfect safeguard it was claimed it
would be for The State-preventing all
excuses; all overgrown monopolies; all
special privileges;-and such, doubtless,
was The belief of the mass of the party,
and yet how the leaders Of that same
party claim to do anything and every
thing under it--and will SO construe il
even before this session closes, that its
whole original meaning and intent will
be changed or disregarded.
should like to write more about mat
tiers and things in general, but have
not time.
The House on yesterday passed a
resolution 10 adjourn on the 20lh of this
month. From what can learn do not
think the Senate will concur. 1t is not
known when an adjournment. will take
place. Everything is yet to do.
The Board of Public Works, | think,
will be recognized. Upon what plan,
| cannot say.
Adieu, for the present. II ! remain,
| may let you know more hereafter OF
the sayings and doings of the Solomons