The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1858-12-16


Constitution and that in the opinion o
this Convention the General Assembly
at its next regular Session should adop
the necessary measures 10 inaugural,
such revision. f3s..F at,ise .t
Mr.. Hornish, of KeokuE, spoke to The
report of the majority, and against tht
Resolutions introduced by Mr. Byington
Stated that if the Constitution was a bal
to State aid, he would have it at once
amended. He was a Democrat, and be-
lieyed in the Sovereignty of the people
and if the Constitution was not right il
should be revised at once. Iowa could
not recover from the nightmare that was
upon her except by the rendering o
Said County and City Bonds were at z
great discount. Whilst State Bonds
were sought, and would in any market
command premium. The spirit of this
Convention would start the spirit of Re
| form all over the State
Mr.. Byington replied to the speech OF
the gentleman from Keokuk last up He
still further urged that the whole thing
was unconstitutional-that if prosecuted
at all it must be under the form and sane
ton of the Constitution and the law
he spoke against the haste manifested by
the friends for State aid Read the arti-
Gle in the Constitution inhibiting the loan
OF the credit of the State to any person
association, or corporation, and com
mented upon it at length.
Mr. ID. Raddington, of Keokuk, fol
lowed, commenting upon the constitu-
tionality of the proposed aid. He spoke
of the intelligence and fair minded char
acter of the Convention. All are in favor
of extending Railroads over the State
Said the question of State aid rose above
all political considerations. Said the
heart of the Democracy was in unison
with the measure of State aid, and if the
Republican party opposed it. it would be
a blight upon the party.
Ex Gov. Baker of Clinton, next follow
ed. He denied the constitutionality of
rendering aid--said the friends of the
majority report were in favor of gener-
al system of Railroad improvement Ar
gued that if there were no constitutional
barrier, the expediency of the proposed
loan was at least doubtful If railroads
could not be built by the aid of the
magnificent land grants, how could they
be built by the State giving AID only to
the amount of $4,000 or SO, 900 per
mile. After discussing the Tennessee
plan, he concluded.
J. B. Edmonds of Johnson followed,
requesting information froni the friends
of the measure, where or upon what par
ticular class of roads they purposed to
give the aid. to be furnished BY the State
wished to know why the Central and
Western portions of the State, if they
desired help, were not here represented
in this convention.
j. w. Churchill, of Scott Co., next
spoke. Said he rose to a point of order.
The resolution now before the convention
was the amendment OF Mr. Kirkwood.
Mr.. Cook, of Scott CO., moved that the
amendment of Mr.. Kirkwaod be laid up
on the table. He subsequently, withdrew
the motion.
Mr.. Churchill resumed his remarks.
Said he was in favor of State aid, pro-
vided such aid could be rendered with
out incurring increased taxation. Stated
under the Tennessee law, aid could be
rendered without any increase of taxa
tion TO the people. He defined the mean
ing of tie State, illustrated what are the
powers granted to the legislature, and
what are the rights reserved to the peo-
pie. Said the democracy were in favor
of State aid. His remarks elected much
attention and interest. m
Mr.. Scott, of Clinton, was the next
speaker. He spoke to the constitutional
question was in favor of State aid-said
if there was to be stealing. he wanted
hand in-said if aid was given to any
road, il would be to those running thro'
the whole length of the State, it would
not be to any branch or short road.
Mr. Kirkwood's amendment was put
and lost.
A motion was now made to lay Mr..
Byington's resolution on the table. The
motion to lay on the table was Withdrawn.
Mr. Byington made some remarks vim
licating the citizens of Johnson county
rom any desire to an outside pressure
lpon the action of the convention.
Mr. Butler spoke in the behalf of Mus
,atine.
lst resolution of Mr.. Byington's sub !
'titute was put and voted upon by coun-
ies-as follows