Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-01-27

:::::::J JAN. ~, 1850.
What will be Done by the Legis.
latMre.
Az We have recently returned ffsu two
weeks scjourn at Desmoines, we may be
expected to know something Of the plans and
purposes Of our law makers now assembled
there. 1t is quite evident to us that much
more in the way Of making new laws will be
attempted than will be accomplished. Many
members arc ambitious to appear in print
~ the originators of new bills or measures
which shall imortalize their names, but their
ambition is Of that kind which ''o'erleaps
ITSELF" There is strong undercurrent Of
good sense and sound judgment in both
Houses. 1t is not always developed in those
who make the most noise and speak oftenest.
w lille radical modification in all our laws is
talked Of, We are inclined to believe very few
material changes will be made.
Many members are in favor Of abolishing
the County Judge system, and substituting
the SUPERVISOR or Commissioners system,
but it is doubtful whether it will be done. 1t
would require such general revision Of
existing laws As to cause great confusion and
much expense We think all that will be
done ON this score will be in taking away or
restricting portion Of the kingly authority
now exercised by the Coun y Judge. 1t is
quite probable that the offices of Treasurer
and Recorder will oe separated.
A temperance law is perhaps the most
perplexing question to come before the Legis-
isture The friends Of temperance are at q
loss to know what to propose. Total prohi-
bi.ion has proved to be inpracticable, and
license is abhorrent. There is some talk OF
re.enacting the law once in force in this State
against the sale of intoxicating liquors to be
drank on the premises. That law operated
better than any one We have since had, rs it
broke up the doggeries which d;sgraced nearly
every community. We hope some law, which
can be made effectual in restraining the evil
OF intemperance. will be enacted.
4 Registry Law will be adopted. A mem
ser of the Senate has already prepared one,
embracing tho excellences Of the New York
and Michigan statutes.
There will be desperate struggle over the
Land Grant originally given to the Lyons
Iowa Central R. R. Co., for the construction
Of railroad on the 42d parallel. This grant
is now claimed by the Dubuque Western r.
R. Co., by virtue of transfer from the stock.
holders of the I. c. R. R. 1t is also claimed
by the c., I. L N. r. R. Co., which has its
road now in operation from Clinton to Cedar
Rapids, and proposes extending it westwardly
to the Missouri river on the 42d parallel. This
company has many friends In the Legislature,
and numerous petitions have already been
presented praying that it may be given pos
session of the grant. From presen: appear
ances, it will be most likely to succeed.
The New Code is likely to engage much
attention, and it is doubtful whether it will be
entirely passed over before the close Of the
session. There is some talk of holding an
extra session, next Fall, for the purpose Of
adopting the Code. and apportioning the State
for Congressional representation on the basis
Of the census of 1860. The Code ought te
have been published and in the hands o.
members before the session, SO that they could
have taken time to discuss its merits. It is
too important to be adopted hastily. 1t will
be infinitely better to give it due elaboration
even if an extra session is required for the
purpose.
Besides the measures above enumerated,
which Of themselves are sufficient to engross
the attention Of an ordinary session, there are
various other interests to attend to-the school
system to be revised and perfected, the public
institutions to be provided for, the conflicting
claims between the State and the General
Government to be settled, militia system to
be inaugurated, &C. The Republican members
at least have entered upon their labors with a
determination to aoork industriously and
make the session as short as possible. They
spend no time in speeches for buncombe, after
the manner of the leaders of the minority
faction, believing that they were sent there to
make laws, and not for the purpose Of manu-
featuring political capital.