The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-01-19

I, A.. y =. sss'i. ...a
| . jncsS IA fob u every char
acihr ~ rach t6se md more devel.
/ op1d. esst1 yi1lded literally Of ID
| abdn ~ IN good order and han
p;nSS ~ SsSsilsd Itbecomes :.
70 be xsv69sly tkSdkful % that benign Prov.
with another season Of prosperity and happi-
y You ~ Ss convened s under 4. provision. Of
| q new organic Law. You arc expected to pro.
side the proper methods for CARRYING 10
Ian into full elect Your lahora will exex-
| actex and pt61pefi9y 81 ths State That in
| daence will extend 10 I period long aiter the
last Of you shAll cease b be interested In hu-
man Affairs Il isnoe 10 be doubted, tha. you
appreciate the just responsibilities Of yoar
position. Il II expected that the spiRit of
moderation and prudence will preside over
a yooP deliberations Il u hoped that I'll
your legislation will b. stamped with tllo Ut
most simplicity md sinGleness Of porpose,
ard that yon will abstain from al measures
which from their doubtful tendency, may
necdlessly distract ne public mind and
throw itintO SgitatiOn and controversy.
All the general laws Of the State require
some notifications TO adopt them to The pro
visions Of . new constitution. Several new
acts Of . general character will also DO me-
cessary. Special legisletiOn y opposed 70
the true theory ola Republican government
and is the source Of great corruption. The
new constitution inculcates most strongly
the duty Of general legislation, and declares
that sin all cases where general, sslaW can
be made applicable, ali laws should BE- gem
eral and ofuniform operation throughout the
State. It's in express terms declared, "thot
the General Assembly shall NOT pass local
or specinls Jaws in the following cases"
"For the assessment and collection Of tar
% for state, county OF road purposes:
"For laying out, opening and working
roads and highways: wv .a., ssas,as.
"For changing the names Of persons: .i.a
For the incorporation Of cities and
"FOr vacating roads, t0Wn-plOts, streets,
alleys, or public squares and Ms "
"''or locating county seats.'' Taa
twill be important that the legislation
on these subjects should Be very full and spe-
cific a~ sgsfi4 taf M iaa
The general election law will require very
material changes, and again submit to the
General Assembly, the propriety, when ro-
wishing this law Of Incorporating into it pro-
visions for making complete registration Of
all the legal voters in the state In no other
way can the ballot boxes be protected against
fraud, and the elective franchise preserved in
its purity. The argument that registry
law from its completely would be too bur
densomc to be complied with il entitled 70
no consideration 1t il predicated upon the
idea. either that the General Assembly 10 in
capable of maturing a simple and iudicious
law on this subject or that the people of the
State are incapable Of comprehending and
enforcing one; neither of which suppositions
| can be admitted to be correct. Such laws
have been in operation in several Of the
States ever since the foundation Of the gov
eminent, and have met the approval Of all
classes Of citizens With such o law, and
with the strict and honest enforcement of
| the naturalization laws, we shall cease to see
parties arrayed against each other on &C
count Of the birthplace ofth0se who compose
them and every bona tide citizen will be ae-
cure in his just weight in the affairs Of the
State. Without such q law, judging from
recent events, it Is feared that popular cleo
tons will become reproach.
The revenue law will also require revision
| and SO far as it relates to the State taxes
should be wholly changed. At present the
county collectors and treasurers, although
elected by the people Of the several counties
| are regarded in some degree as State officers.
Should they fail to make return Of the State
revenue rs required by law, suit is brought
| by the State on their official bonds. Should
defaleation occur, the State sustains the
loss, This ought not to be. The county
treasurers ought to be in no sense State Of
6cers. Each county should be responsible
for its provortionate amount of State reve-
nue., aud under no contingency should the
State be compelled to institute suit against
these officers; and in default Of recovery to
suffer from Their delinquency The transac-
tions Of the State should be solely with the
| counties
The result Of the present system il that
the county treasurers are almost indepcn-
dent Of State control, and the prompt re.
ceipt of money due to the treasury cannot
be relied on. Besides it operates to the in
jury Of those counties that pay their quota
of the revenue promptly. A few counties
make prompt payments, while the others
fail to do So Auditors warrants are issued
to discharge the State indebtedness, which
should be discharged with the money due
from delinquent counties These warrants
draw eight per cent interest, which is paid
from the State treasury, and is contributed
| by the counties that are NOT, as well NJ those
that are remiss in the discharge of their OBJ
| ligations. arsttiE 500 7s4 .li
The amount now in arrears from the sew
| eral county treasurers, a very small part of