Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-12-16
$500 PER ANNUM, in ADVANCE.

ument, erected at her capital. perpetuate
the remembrance of the gallant Mills.
and Guthrie, and the patriotic men who
have thus fallen! respectfully make
the suggestion, and leave it for such ac-
ton as may appear to you proper.
The attention of the General Assem-
bly, has been frequently called to the or
ganization of the militia of this State,
yet no steps have been taken by The peo-
pie or the legislature TO effect it in such
a manner as to comply with the Laws Of
the United States, and to enable US to
obtain the quota of arms to which we
are entitled. The Secretary of State
reported to the President the aggregate
number of militia for the year 1851, bus
as there was no proper military organi-
cation, the report was declared Insult
cien. as will appear by communication
herwi,h transmitted. By the laws Of
the United States and the provisions of
our Constitution it is our duty to enroll
and organize the militia into divisions,
bngades, regiments, battalions and COM
panies; and by proper officer to report
to the President annually, on or before
The first Monday in January of each
year, our effective military force with
their arms, accouterments, &c. For
the purpose OF carrying out the require
menis Of a constitutional law of our
National Government, and to obtain the
arms with which the Srats might be de-
Tended by her own ci.izens. | would
most earnestly recommend you to make
such provisions as will De proper to ef-
tect an object so desirable, and at the
same time to establish an Arsenal where
the arms and munitions obtained may
be safely kept until they should be nee
ded for service. In The month of March
1851, received communication from
the Ordnance Department at Washing.
ton, stating that the Secretary of War
had direcred Major Bell, in charge Of the
Arsenal at ST. Louis, TO issue upon my
requsi,lon arms and accouterments suf.
ficient TO equip two companies of solun-
teers at Burlington and Dubuque to be
charged to the State. Accordingly on
the 9Th day ofMay following the requi-
.sition was made, and the arms obtained,
and those for the company at Burling-
ton have been delivered The compa-
ny at Dubuque not having completed
its organization, directed the arms and
accouterments to be sen. to the Peniien-
liary for safe keeping, where under the
charge of the Wardau, they might b.
kept in good order, and be serviceabls
in guarding the prison.
Among the many important questions
which will come before YOU for deliber-
alton, will be the amendment of the
laws now in force in this State, and to
which would especially call your at
tention. IL will be remembered that in
the year lS4S, committee of three
persons were appointed to draft. revise
and prepare code of laws for the gov
ernment of the State; and having COM
pleled their work, they at the session of
the General Assembly of 1850 aud 1851
made their report, which having been a.
mended, was passed and wen, into force
the first day Of July following. This
bocy OF laws prepared, amended, and
published with great care and expense,
and Is entitled to your careful and can
did consideration. Like everything else
OF human origin, it has omissions and
imperfeclions, and it is your province to
make snch amendments as are necessa-
ry and which in your judgement will adj
vance the public good. need not re-
mind you that in making such amend
ments, much care and deliberation should
be used in orGer to prevent conflicts
and uncertainties; or that much mischief
has arisen from the instability and In
consistency Of legislation. Laws arc
enacted at one session, and before their
utility can be tested, or they can be fair
ly understood, they are modified or re.
pealed; and often in such manner as to
leave the public and those who are to
administer them, at a loss to know what
has been abroga.ed or what in force.
To avoid this state ol things let me sug-
gest that your acts be expressed in plain
and concise language. and that they be
as few and simple as possible consistent
with the necessities and principles of the
government under which we live.
For The purpose of directing yout at
tention..t to such parts of this code of laws
as may be detective iu any particular, i.
is made the duty of each Of the Judges
OF the Supreme and District Courts to
report 10 the Geueral Assembly at each
regular session thereof, all omissions,
discrepancies. or other evident imperfec.
tions Of the law, which has fallen under
his observation. These reports will
probably be submitted. should any such
omissions or imperfeciions have come
under their observation, and / would rec
ommend such reports to your careful
consideration.
In view Of this duty. there is only
one subject to which l would call your
special attention, and that is the law req.
ulaling the sale OF intoxicating LIQUORS.
This law removes all restraints from the
traffic in such liquors. as an article of
mefchandize. but prohibits the retail to
be drank on the premises, under severe
pel,aities; placing the enforcement, of it's
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