The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1858-12-23
OmmunicafiOn from Gov.
Lowe.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, DIES MONIES. /,


Iowa, Dec. 14th, 1858.
In view Of the unsettled state of the public
mind IN regard to the proposed call of ali Extra
Session of the General Assembly, | deem it
proper to make public the conclusion at " hich
| have arrived. Many petitions, remoastran-
ces, and letters for and against the call, have
been received by me, and tho proceedings of
the Convention at Iowa City have also been
laid before me. The respect which entertain
for the gentlemen whose views have been thus
communicated, impels me also TO state briefly
the reasons which have Influenced nv action.
The Constitution confers on ,ne the power
ION extraordinary OCCASIONS" to convene the
General Assembly by proclamation.
The call has been demanded manly on the
ground of the necessity Of further legislation
IN aid of our Railroad enterprises, and for the
enactment Of relief laws. | appreciate thor.
oughly the Importance to our State of the
completion of her system of internal lmprc ve-
ments. large portion of her territory having
no access to market at any season, the interior
having no reliable route of transportation, and
the West being deprived Of navigation por-
ton OF the year, these causes undoubtedly
operate to retard immigration, to depress the
value Of lands, to diminish both the quan-
tity and value of agricultural products, and to
discourage the ESTABLISHING mt IF manufactures
throughout the State. But acknowledging the
Importance of these considerations. the prac-
teal question presented to me is, whether the
legislation demanded in aid Of these works is
question OF such immediate importance as to
require special convention of the General
Assembly twelve months in advance Of its
regular session.
By making this call should decide that this
was an ''extraordinary occesion," within the
meaning of the Constitution. | cannot SO re-
gard it. The occasion does not arise upon any
sudden or unforeseen emergency it shows
new interest III the questions, but no new con-
dtion Of affairs since the late session of tn.
General Assembly. I do not consider it an
extraordinary occasion In tie constitutional
sense.
l am further influenced to this conclusion
by the fact that at the time of the election of
this General Assembly the deman now made
FOR legislation was not before the people
Their representation of the popular will can
notbe fairly predicated of them, on question
of such portance.-inaugurating or rel Getting
a new State policy of great mag nitnde, excent
upon an election after the agitation of the
question before the people. Without this,
there is danger Of hasty legislation. The Ex-
ira Session would also require considerable
expenditure of public money at time when
the condition Of the Treasury, owing to the
large amount Of revenue in arrear, does not
justify it, except in a case of Imminent impor-
lance. Believing, as have the best authority
to believe, that the General Assembly is not
to act in accordance with the prayer
OF the petitioners, this expenditure would be
at the hazard of that economy in the admins
traton of public affairs which it is my duty to
observe. Being also satisfied by very numer-
Gus communications from all parts of the State
that decided majority of the people are averse
to an Extra Session, and are not prepared to
approve the proposed legislation, and that the
General Assembly would not regard it as their
duty to act in the direction proposed, | have
resolved not to convene the GeH Iai Assembly
in anticipation of their regular Session.
RALPH P. LOWE, Governor.