Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-01-13
DOINGs AT THE CAPITAL.
Editorial Corrsspoade.ce Of the Journal
DEsxo1NEs HOUSE, Desmoines,
January 9th, 1860, {

,DEsxoINss HOUSE, Desmoines,|
January 9th, 1860.
I arrived here Saturday forenoon, at which
time the city was tolerably well filled up.
The members of the General Assembly are
nearly all hero, and it is expected that both
houses will organize temporarily this after
noon. The contest for Speaker of the House
appears to be between Mr. Edwards, Of Lucas,
and DIR. Witter, of Linn, with the chance in
favor of the former. Either will make
good officer. The candidates for clerkships
and other offices in the gift of the members,
are " too numerous to mention" For chief
clerk of the Senate alone, there are nine ap-
plicants. Of course eight of them must 60
homo disappointed.
The Senatorial question is little discussed.
Harlan's reelection is regarded as almost
certain, though A. J. Stevens, Esq, of this
place, is talked of as his successor. For
State Printer, the most prominent candidate
is Mr.. Howell, of the Keokuk Gate City. He
is the oldest and most efficient newspaper
conductor in the State who has signified a
desire for the Office. If the State printing is
not let out to the lowest bidder, "a measure
which 1 understand is to be propos ed), he
will no doubt be elected.
Retrenchment is the order Of the day. The
Republican members, especially, are deter
mined to incorporate more economical ad-
ministration of public affairs than have here
tofore been observed. Various public insti-
buttons will ask for appropriations in the ag-
gregate to two or three hundred thousand
dollars, but most of them will be denied. The
Insane Asylum at Mount Pleasant will pro-
badly be furnished with sufficient means to fit
it for the reception of patients, but the State
Agricultural College, the Blind Asylum at
Vinton, the State University at Iowa City,
and the Medical College at Keokuk, for each
of which large appropriations will be asked,
cannot obtain them without much opposition.
Some of the members declare they will vote
for these last named institutions only suti-
Gent money to protect their unfinished walls
from damage by the action of the weather,
leaving for better times and more plethoric
treasury the work Of completing them, &C
cording to original designs. scarcely be-
lisve such rigid economy will be adhered to,
but doubt not the present session will be
the cheapest, considering the number of
members and the enterprises in hand, ever
before held IN the State.
The Democrats had "blow OUT here on
Saturday evening, at meeting of the Doug
las Club" organized at this place. Speeches
were made by Claggett, Baker, Finch, Cole
and other distinguished lights of the party
from different sections of the State. Cole
announced discovery made by himself, but
said nothing about applying for patent after
the manner of Mr.. Douglas. The discovery
was that his party failed in this State at the
last election because the people found out
they were pro slaosry. He said the Demo
Gratis must solemnly swear in future that they
are opposed to slavery, else they can never
hope to carry the State of Iowa. This Cole
is wonderful man and may yet distinguish
himself All the speakers present avowec
their faith in Douglas and squatter sovereign
ty-while some of them referred lightly tt
the errors of Mr.. Buchanan. Cole approved
the present national administration, and was
heartily cheered by the audience for the sen
timent. 1t is an established fact that watel
and oil cannot be made to mingle together
but here we see elements as much dissimilal
tremendously uniting. The speakers on thi
occasion declared their readiness to supper
the Charleston nominee, whoever he nigh
be-even Mississippi Brown, the disunonist
Such is the toadyisln of the self constituted
leaders of the forlorn hope of Democracy il
Iowa j. NJ.