The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-01-26
A Day at the Capital.

upon the State Convention, furnished us an
opportunity, though limited one, to look at
the Legislature, and matters and things in
general at the Capital, the result of which we
will give to our readers.
We travelled by coach, and were again
favorably impressed with the efficiency and
excellent arrangements of the Western Stage
Company, quite surprising under the en-
barrassments at present experienced by that
enterprisng corporation.
We spent the first night at the Needham
House, Oskaloosa, quiet and well kept no
tel Roads, never better-weather, delight
full. Company aboard, of course "sreeah'e,
as Col. F. H. Warren, of Burlington, was
one Of the party.
Reached Des Moines about o'clock Tues
day evening, and put up at the Des Moines
House, the best hotel in the city. Found
the Printers and numerous guests having a
merry time in the dining room Of the hotel
and accepted polite invitation to spend
short time listening to songs, sentiments
and speeches. Several high functionaries OF
State, including Lieut. Gov. Rusch, Hon.
John Edwards, Speaker of the House, Hon.
I. II. Benton, jr., and others were present.
Wednesday morning, our excellent Repre-
sentative, Hon. j. G. Mitchell, took us in
charge and introduced us to the curiosities
of the Capitol The Senate only was in SEES
sion to-day, the House having adjourned
ever to Friday. Sen. johnson, of this coun-
ty, received us courteously and furnished US
seat near his desk, favorable for seeing and
hearing. Lieut.. Gov. Rusch was in the
Chair, and appeared to be quite at home
there. Indeed we were told that he proves
himself to be an able and efficient presiding
officer The Senators, as body, appear
well it contains considerable talent and the
members are good looking, as a general thing.
The Senate Chamber, and the Hall of Rep
resentatives have been improved since last
session by the addition to each of gallery.
Nothing important was transporting in tire
Senate today, and it adjourned over to
Friday.
The House was not in session; but we
looked into their Hall which was partially
filed with members and others. Here we
exchanged salutations with our Represents
tive, Hon. James Doggett
Having paid our respects to the two
branches Of the General Assembly. Mr.
Mitchell next introduced us to several State
officers, commencing with Governor Kirk
wood, all of whom seemed to be enjoying
good health, and to be actively engaged in
discharging the duties Of their several offices.
We never happened to meet Nv. Sells, Sec
rotary of State before, and he fully met the
expectations we had formed of him as cour-
teous and affable gentleman, as he assuredly
is most faithful and able officer. We met
sssrso-@
duction to Hon. j. w. Cattell, Auditor of
State, who was vigilantly engaged in guard
ing the Treasury. We spent a few moments
pleasantly and proftably with Gen. Wilson,
Secretary of the Agricultural College, exam
lining specimens. Mr.. Miller, of the State
Land Office, we also met for the first time.
We should have visited the other offices, and
the State Library had time permitted.
We will say here, that it afforded us much
pleasure to hear our Representative, Mr..
Mitchell, spoken of in terms of highest COM
mendation, both as man and az, i1riustri.
Gus, faithful, able Representative.
During the day, we dropped in upon our
old friend, Browne, of the d. NJ N &R. Co.,
who, at this time, has resting upon his Shout
lers the whole of this immense corporation
but he is equal to it, and enjoying, as he de-
serves, the unbounded confidence Of the
company. Mr.. Browne favored us with an
inspection of the designs of beautiful cot
tage which he has nearly completed, the de-
sign being to remove his family to Des
Moines from Ottumwa in the spring. His
residence in this city, as viii be seen else
where, is for sale.
The Republican Convention was the event
of the day. 1t met in Sherman's Hall, Yves.
Side, at 2 o'clock, very large representa-
ton of the party from all parts of the State
being present, and all but l6 counties repre-
sented. Young America was there in full
force, full of enthusiasm, and so determined
to have things done mp right and strong at
Chicago, that he insisted upon sending 80
delegates, contrary to the more sober
wishes of sundry older if not wiser members
of the delegation. w. w. Hamilton, of Du-
buque, presided. There were numerous
Vice-Presidents and Secretaries. At an
evening session numbers of able and elo
ouent speeches were made by several of the
delegates elect to the National Convention, of
whom the following is a list:
AT LARGE. ....... /
VIM. Penn Clark, of johnson; L. c. No
bic, Fayette; John A. Kasson, Polk; Henry |
O'Connor, Muscatine; Jas. F. Wilson, JEFF |
ferson; N. j. Rusch, Scott; John w. Ran
kin, Lee; NJ. j. Mcpherson, Madison; c. F.
Clarkson, Grundy; H. p. Scholte, Marion;
John Johns, Webster.
1st DISTRICT A. Saunders, Henry.
/" j. C. Walker, Lee.
ID DIsrRIcr.-J. w. Caldwell.
" n. Baker.
81 DISTRICT Rector. ... /
G. A. Hawley.
4th DIsrRrcT.-A. w. Hubbard.