Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1860-02-18
DIES MONIES CORRESPONDENTS.
HOUSE, or REPRESENTATIVES,
Dea Moinss. Feb. Z lS60.

DEAR RsGfsTER-There seems to be
general disposition to ventilate the pro-
ceedings of the Legislature through the
columns of,he various journals in the State.
1t may not be amiss, therefore, to give to
the readers Of the REGISTER an inkling Of
matters and things at the Capitol
Four weeks of the session have already
passed, aud yet but little comparatively
has been accomplished. There is business
enough laid ont, however, to engage grave
legislators for months. The Democracy
present the pleasing spectacle Of solid
phalanx, acting discrsetly and harmonious
ly for the manifest interests Of the people.
They are battling nobly and unflinchinsly
for retrenchment and reform, in every
place that is needed. Together they re-
sisted every attempt on the part Of the
Republicans to employ, at the public ex.
pease, useless and extravagant officers. If
they failed in the main attempt to abolish
the officers, they have nevertheless accom-
pish this much they have compelled the
Republicans to reduce the extravaga mt
compensation heretofore given these sine
cures.
When the proposition WAS brought for.
ward by the Republicans to elect State
Printer, the Democrats made record for
themselves and the party which ,cal meet
with the approval Of the great mass Of the
people Of this State. True to their plsdg
es and trust. the Democrats stou,ly resisted
the action of the Republicans when they
sought to perpetuate the Office of State
Printer, Of the expense of which the PEG
pie have complained so much, and that
rightly. Democrats favored the abolition
Of the Office, and in lieu thereof give the
public printing to the loarest responsible
bidder" A proposition was submitted to
the Legislature by Mr.. Hutchins, Of the
Journal, TO do the printing 40 per cent.
less than is now paid. This proposition
was accompanied by several of the most
reliable and responsible men in Des Moines
as sureties, for the faithful performance of
the work. This proposition, which il adopt
ed, would save thousands to the State in
the next two years, was utterly disregarded
BY the Republicans Democrats oil urged
the adoption of the proposition, but under
party drill the Republicans were banded
against it, and consequently, this PROPOSE
ton SO important to the peoples interests
was killed. Upon the Republicans rests
the responsibility of maintaining useless
and expensive office, which taxes the PEG.
pie to support party favcri,es.
There is very general interest mani
tested here On the question Of County gov.
eminent. All desire change which will
relieve the reep pie from the burdens now
so often imposed upon them, by the abuse
Of power on the part Of the County Judge.
Some favor the Commissioner system
others desire the retention Of the present
a majority, think, especially in the House,
favor the Supervisor system, aud thus dis
tribute the power among the Townships -
Some change is certain, but what that
change will be, it is difficult to say-doubt-
less il will be the best which the enemies
of the present syste N can obtain under the
circumstances.
To-day members are airing their vocab>
ularies over the. Governors Inaugural
Williams, of Dubuque, this forenoon. in
dignifed, candid and convincing argu-
ment, expressed his dissent from the opin.
ions contained in the Inaugural. lie Lech
eur of Delaware, came down upon the
Governors John Brownism with charac-
teristic vehemence and earneslness. Ros
ecrans, of Hamilton. went off in an abol
i:ion barangus, and Gurley Of Scott, one
of the most prominent republicans in the
House, undertook the defence Of the Gov
ernos. Although he is fine and impress
Give speaker, yet he felt that his case was
one beset with difficulties. Bennett, of
Marion, is now addressing the House, and
in mastery manner showing up the her.
estes of Republicanism. He is very
ready debater-well posted in political
matters, and an absolute terror to Rspub.
licans.
A nobler body Of Democrats never rep,
resented the interests Of any State in the
council chambers. Such men o. Baker,
Claggett, Kellogg, Hall, Curtis, and others,
IRE an honor to the party and the State.
They know what the people want and are
laboring earnestly and faithfully to lcgis-
late for the interest and not the ruin of
the people.
DEs MoISEs, Feb. 9, 1860.
DEAR REGIsTER-To day the House has
been engaged in the discussion of Bill
for resuming TO the State the lands hereto.
fore granted to the Iowa and Nebraska
Air Line Railroad that Company having
wholly failed to comply with the conditions
Of the grant The Dubuque interest is
here with considerable force, urging the
claims Of the Dubuque 4 Marion Compa
ny, which processes to have purchased the
grant from the Air Line Road, and claims
that the Legislature has no rightto resume
said grant until after the expiration Of the
ten years Iha Bill will nrnhahly mass