The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1858-12-21
Communication from the Govern or
ExEcurIvE CHAxBRKR,
DIS Nouns, Iowa, Dec. Ia, '58.


| In view of the unsettled state Of the pub
lie mind in regard to the proposed call Of an
Extra Session of the General Assembly,
deem it proper to make public the conclu-
sion at which ! have arrived. Many petitions,
remonstrances, and letters, for and against
the call, have been received by me, and the
proceedings Of the late Convention at Iowa
City have also been laid before me. The re-
spect which | entertain for the gentlemen
whose views have been thus communicated,
impels me also to state briefly the reasons
which have influenced my action.
The Constitution confcrs on me the power
s. on extraordinary occasions," to convene
the General Assembly by proclamation.
The call has been demanded mainly on the
ground of the necessity of further legsla-
iion in favor Of our railroad enterprises, and
for the enactment of relief laws. / appre-
ciate thoroughly the importance to our State
Of the completion Of her system Of internal
improvements. A large portion Of her ter
ritorv having no access 10 market at any sea-
son, the interior having no reliable route Of
transportation, and the West being deprived
Of navigation portion of the year, -these
causes undoubtedly operate to retard immi-
grafton, TO depress the value of land, to d.
mnish both the quantity and value Of agri-
adjustment Of manufactures throughout the
State. But acknowledging the Importance
Of these considerations, the practical ques-
ton presented to me 10, whether the legisla-
ton demanded in aid Of these works il
question of such immediate Importance as to
require special convention OF the General
Assembly twelve months in advance OF ito
regular session.
By making this cnll, shonld decide that
this was an Extraordinary OCCASION" within
the meaning OF the Constitution. cannot
so regard il. The Occasion does not arise
upon any sudden or unforeseen emergency
it shows new interest in the questions, but
no new condition OF affairs since the late ses-
sion Of the General Assembly do not
consider it an extraordinary occasion in the
constitutional sense.
| am further influenced to this conclusion
by the fact that ut tho time Of the election of
this General Assembly the demand now made
for legislation was not before the people.
Their representation Of the popular will cam
not BIO fairly predicated of them, on ques-
ton OF such Importance, --inaugurating or
rejecting a new State policy Of great magni-
] tude, Except upon an election after the agi
tation of the qSestion before the people
Without this there is danger Of hasty iegis-
quire considerable expenditure Of public
money Mt a time when the condition of the
Treasury, owing to the large amount of rev.
enne IN arrear, does not justify IL, except in
case OF imminent Importance. Believing
as hare the best authority to believe, that
the General Assembly is not prepared to act
in accordance with the prayer Of the petit.
TONERS, this expenditure would be at the
hazard OF that economy in the administra-
ton Of public affairs which it is my duty to
observe. Being also satisfied by very nu-
merous Communications from all parts Of the
State that decided majority Of the people
are averse to the Extra Session, and are not
prepared to approve the proposed legislation,
and that the General Assembly would not
regard it rs their duty to act IN the direc-
ton proposed, have resolved not TO convene
the General Assembly In anticipation Of their
regular session. RALPH p. LOWE,
Governor.