Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1858-02-06
Correspondence Of the Journal.
IOWA LEGISLATURE.
DRsxorSEs, Jan. 80, 1858.

DEsMoTNEs, Jan. 80, 1858.
EDITOR journal You have received the
account of the election of James w. Grimes
to the Senate of the United States. This
was the great event Of last week. On Fri
day night tho Senator elect gave a supper to
the members of the Legislature, at which all
parties were present and partook of his hos
pitality with much gusto. There was gen
eral good feeling, and Clark Of Dubuque
made speech in response to toast that
met with universal applause. The politi-
cal Ratchet was buried fer the nonce and all
seemed to rejoice in the choice of worthy
man to an honorable post. Grimes will be
a 6t compeer to the noble band of men which
the North West has sent up within the last
three years to the National Senate. Grimes,
Harlan, Trumbull, Doolittle, Durkee and
Chandler, are men of very different charac
ter from those who have made " western ell
oquenee &c by word and reproach." Our
young giant, "The West" is passing from
his green boyhood into the verge of youth
full manhood. Hereafter he will be ack-
nowledged one Of the forces of this confede-
racy.
Our own Legislature is working at seve-
eral bills, that, if passed into laws, will eff
feet marked change in the condition of
the State.
Among these are prominent
l. A School Bill. - This contemplates
changing our districts into the township dis
trict system, after the plan somewhat Of
Ohio and Pennsylvania. In other respects
it improves our system of common and high
schools and UNIVERSITY provides for teach
ers' institutes, county board of examiners,
sc.
2. A commission to prepare o civil and
criminal practice act, and to arrange and
codify the laws and prepare them for publ
cation. There seems to be need for some.
thing Of this sort, as all the laws must be
reprinted and there is much labor to be per-
formed to arrange and harmonic with
themselves and the new constitution and
past enactments. Many of the legislators
advocated recess and adjourned session to
give this commission time to report, but the
conclusion is 20 let them work with commit
tees of both houses and do what can be
done now, SO as to dispense, if possible, with
the trouble and expense of an extra ses-
sion.
Barker, of Dubuque, Judge Smyth, of Ma
rion, and G. Ben. Darwin, of Burlington, are
now in the bill as the proposed commssio on
ers. ....
3. Apportionment bills, for Judicial, Sem
atorial and Representative districts will de-
mand much time and care. 80
4. A Banking Law. - One bill has been
introduced into the Senate for State Bank
ing Law, and referred to the Committee on
Banks. The committee will within two or
three days report plan for State Banks
and also for Free Banks. The Governor is
understood to prefer the former--a MAORI
ty of the legislators the latter. Probably
both will be submitted to the people.
S. A bill giving judgment debtors longer
time to stay the execution by giving requi-
site security, SC.
| 6. A Revenue Law is made the considera-
ton of the Committee of Ways and Means.
7. A system of township and county Or
ganization will be introduced soon.
8. A bill to create State Stock for $780,
600, the proceeds to pay outstanding war
rants (s155, 000) and provide for current
expenses passed the Senate to-day; 20 to G.,
aud will go through the House.
Other measures will be acted on in good
time.
bill to organize company of mounted
volunteers to defend our Spirit Lake settle
ment an Agricultural Bureau-a modifica-
ton of the Prohibitory Law, &c.-are on
the taps. There will be an increased APP
preparation to the State Agricultural Society.
| Our winter is remarkably mild and pleas
ant. Yours, truly, BURROUGHS.