Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1855-02-06
Correspondence Of the Davenport Gazette.
Iowa CRY, Jan. q, 1855.

Correspondence Of the Davenport Gazette.
N Iowa CRY, Jan. q, 1855.
Mr.. GAZETTE:
The Legislature adjourned at
A. N. on the 10th, after having had under
consideration one hundred end eighty differ
entacts and resolutions, (which humber exceeds
that of any pr. vious session by about sixty
FIVE. The session was prolonged four days
over the time allowed by the constitution;
for which time the members receive but ons
dollar per day for their services.
The Railroad pre- emption bill to which l
referred in my last as having passed the house
has happily been defeated in the Senate.
The Governor vetoed two or three local
bills, on account of their being unconstitu-
tional, and both houses after due considera-
tion, conceded with tho Governor in his
opinions. The citizens of Iowa acted wisely
in having selected man 50 firm, indepen-
dent and talented for their Governor.
An act to revise and amend the law relat-
ing 20 County Supervisor which passed the
Senate was defeated in the house. pre-
sumo it not being properly understood.
An act has also been defeated in the House
authorizing county Judges to appropriate
coun funds toward repairing roads and
building bridges, when they in their judge
ment consider it prudent and proper, with
out a vote of the people, as heretofore re-
CURED by the code. This bill as i. passed
the Senate was considered beneficial and
necessary, as in many cases the expense of
taking vote amounts to more than the re-
pairing or building of the bridge or the ma
king of the road that the public good re-
quircs. And it is well known that ia many
townships and road districts throughout the
State, the road tax Is insufficient to construct
works of moderate expense. A majority of
the House, however, were fearful Of tho tdel
ity of their County Judges, and so expressed
themselves, stating that this law would give
the Judges too much power, and that it would
be dangerous act.
An act has passed. defining the mode of
annexing lands and lots to organized towns.
The law requires the consent of majority
of the citizens of the town and also the con-
sent of the majority of the residents Of the
District proposed to be annexed.
Taere is considerable suspicion attached to
the action of the officers of State on the Trus-
tees of the State University. If the people
have been wronged justice requires that they
appointed to investigate the accounts OF the
OS0t0 DCpdI AOpOIs thae ShC w <AS
and affairs generally were 10 such situation
that the time allotted for the work was not
sufficient to arrive at any correct conclusion.
A resolution was passed authorship a
committee to be appointed, to give
the Stats records complete and thor
ough overhauling previous to the Lext ses-
sion of the general assembly. The resolu-
ton authorized the Governor to appoint two
.cfo 70 70 s,n dur,
Love Of Lee Co., objected to the committee
being appointed by a wing and stated that
he thought it should be composed of men,
be.s of both political parties. The resou-
ton at MIR. Loves request wasamended SO as
authorize the president of the Senate to Sc
lect one member of the committee and the
speaker of the House the other. The Gov
cinor is chairman of this committee, per
diem Of three dollars each being allowed
theta.
have just been informed by Senator,
that President Fisher, at the urgent request
Of the democratic Senators. has appointed
Phil. Bradley as IL member Of this commit
tee.
The community here appear perfectly as
founded at this election. Democrats Of good
judgment declare it an outrage to appoint a
man, who at times is obliged to have guide
to show him the way home, to perform a
duty that requires clear mead nd a sound
mind.
w. Penn Clark, has been appointed by the
Speaker of the House, as q member of the
commi tee. Mr.. Clark is a sober man, a fair
lawyer but noted free soiler.
A committee of the Senate who were ap-
pointed to examine the situation of the iinan-
ces of the State University, have prepared a
report which exhibits an unjustiiable reck-
lessnsss in the administration of this trust
The Treasurer who has the control of the
University funds, which amount to over sew
enteen thousand dollars; has loaned the bulk
of this fund to the various State officers and
many of the transactions bear on their face
most palpable evidence of fraud. 1t is evi-
dent that mortgages Were gotten up hastily
and during the session to blind tho commit
tee of investigation. Notes for several thou
sand dollars were found in the treasury dat
ed many months in advance of the present
time! Notary's had certified falsely to ac-
to bury up dark deeds.
Amongst those thus favored with funds |
find the names of G. W. McCleary, Secretary
of State, VIM. Pattee, Auditor, Thomas II.
Benton aud James ID. Eads, Superintcndents
of Public Instruction, Sylvester and the Har-
risons, of the Reporter, and Workman of the
Senate, while NJ. l.. Morris Treasurer Of the
State loans himself fair portion of the
funds and gives himself his own note for Sc
curity and collection! This investigation has
clearly proved men who claimed the support
and confidence of the people, and who have
passed through the world as honest and
worthy members Of society, to be guilty of
uncalled for carelessness and trickery. Per-
sons we'll informed assert that this fund must
sustain loss by this unprecsdsn.e ed trans-
action.
The expenditures Of the recent Legislature
exceed that of any former cession. A dis