The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-20
WarSaw, Illinois.
D0TTINGS FROM PRAIRIE LAND.

To The Editor of The National Era:
SIR; purpose to give you, from time to time,
glimpse Of affairs in this part of the West-the
part known as the Prairie State, and the coun-
try adjacent thereto.
The Legislature Of Illinois adjourned on Mon
day last, the ~ iassu, af,vt unprecedented
ly short session Of thirty seven days The new
Constitution, fixing the pay of members at two
dollars per day for the first forty days, and one
dollar per day for every day thereafter, has
already worked wonders, and saved the people
thousands of dollars The session of 1919 ad-
journed as soon the forty days had expired ;
and the one Just closed did not appropriate the
whole of the tho dollar days Yet there has been
more work done during this short session of
month and q third than formerly in three and
four months at foU dollars per day,
The most important bill passed during the ses-
sion is that Incorporating the Illinois Central
Railroad Company This bill incorporates
number Of Eastern Capitalists under the above
name, and authorizes the construction of rail-
road from the termination of the Illinois and
Michigan canal, at Peru, to Cairo, At the junction
Of the Ohio and Mississippi, with two branches
one to Chicago, and the other to the Mississippi
opposite Dubuque, Iowa. The capital stock of
the Company is liked at 81, 900, 000 with liberty
to increase 10 m amount sufficient to complete
the road; while the lands donated for that pur-
pose by Congress are also granted to the Com
pany, under certain wel-guarded restrictions
The bill provides that, after the completion of
the road and branches, the Company is to pay TO-
the State seven per. cent. Of rs gross receipts
The act to he void unless accepted in sixty days,
and unless the road is begun by the fret of JAN
uary next. Ii also provides that the central track
shall be completed in four years, and the branches
in six years, from the execution of deed of trust
of said lands
The bill is regarded with much favor by the
press and people of the State, 80 far as / can
learn. Hon. Robert Rantoul, of Boston, passed
most of the session at Springfield, operating in
behalf of the Company to which the charter is
granted. The Holbrook Company had previous
ly thrown up their charter, granted them at a
previous session.
Another important act Of the session Is the
General Banking Law. This bill passed the
Senate by a vote Of IL to l2, and the House by
vote of Al to 80. In the Senate the parties
stood-for the bill, six Wings, seven Democrats
against it, three Wings nine Democrats In the
House, the parties were about similarly divided
Numerous petitions from all parts of the State
had gone up, asking for the passage of Banking
Law, and it is supposed that the people will sus.
tain it. But, as the new Constitution requires
that the people shall take vote on it before Il
becomes a law, there is chance that ii may yet
be defeated. The knowing ones say that 1t is
good law, and that it will be sustained
A very important measure has also passed the
Legislature this session in relatian to the liquor
traffic. The bill provides for the repeal of all
License lsws-prohihits the sale Of intoxicating
drinks in less quantity than q quart-prohbts
the sale to persons under eighteen years of age
and prohibits 1t from being drank on the premises
where sold-all under suitable penalties. IL also
makes gumg away punishable the same rs sell
ing. The friends Of the Temperance Reform
have strong hope that this law will prove an ef-
fective one, and do much good.
Homestead Exemption law has also been
passed this session. II exempts from forced sale
and execution q lot Of ground and dwelling
thereon, used as . homestead, to the value OF
one thousand dollars
Several other bills Of minor importance have
been passed among which are several Railroad
Charters, and an amendment to the general law
concerning Plank Roads. Much interest exists
among the people in relation to Railroads and
Plank Roads, and strong attempts are being made
in various quarters to put them In progress The
Galena and Chicago Railroad is progressing ran.
idly. The Rock Island and Peru Railroad about
TO be commenced. The Northern Cross from
Quincy to the Illinois win soon be under contract
Strong efforts are making to bring the Warsaw
and Rockford road to the notice of capitalists
OF Plank Roads, several are now in progress on
both sides Of the Mississippi.
The winter has been the mildest that have
ever known in this region, during residence of
near fifteen years The Mississippi has not been
closed, below the Des MOines Rapids, and there
has not been fortnight In which bosss could
not ascent to Keokuk. The temperature has not
been below zero but on two or three occasions,
and then only for few days each. The weather
has been dry, and very little snow.
You will have observed the formal nomination
Of General Scott for the Presidency by the w higs
Of Indiana fear the Wings will render them
selves liable to the charge Of stealing the Demo-
cratic military "thundsr.p am not advised Of
any move made by the Wings In the Legislature
Of this State, previous to returning to their
homss Yours 10, AeaIooLA.