The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-02-23

For reasons that have been already repeat
edly stated, the Legislature has made but
slow progress in disposition of the work de-
volving upon it. There has been too much
discussion; too much travelling out Of the
record for party capital, by the minority
too much talk for Buncombe; too many use,
less motions and resolutions upon every con,
ceivable subject. All this haa consumed
valuable time, that ought to have. been en-.
ployed in doing the leg Tnate bust .es; of III
session. The Democracy have acted very
much as if they were fresh from victory in.
stead Of an overwhelming defeat; as il
the people had endorsed their rabid har-
argues and Reckless charges, iiastcad of sen
ding them home with very large flea in
their ears, in the shape Of an increased Re
publican majority. What is infinitely worse
the Republicans have acted, too often, as il
they had no confidence in the justice of their
own cause, ard in the verdict that perpctu-
ated the power of the State in their hands,
I'm no way does party so fatally iEjure itself
as by this apparent want of confidence in its
own strength and ability to accomplishment:
it has calamity begun. How Republicans
should act and band together, is; signally il
Illustrated by the steadest support given to
Mr.. Sherman for nearly two months, by the
Republicans at Washington. Their oppo-
nents were Obliged to shift from one candi.
date to another, and finally abandoned their
ownranks, and took up an old Wing, who
had nerer been with them, in the vain hope
of breaking the invincible ranks of the Re-
publicans. Success finally crowned this
constancy and frmness oc the Republicans
They elected their candidate for Speaker,
obtaining clear majority of the whole
House. . ...s-.s-
To accomplish in anything like reasona-
Die tins, the legislation expected of them,
the members of the Legisture must labor with
great assiduity during the remainder of the
session. "Work p must be the watchword
and oratorical display must be left for the
hustings. There is a stern necessity for
such line Of policy; and failure to real
Use it, will involve the loss ofmany valuable
measures and great deal oc hasty, imperfect
legislation. The time allotted to an ordi-
nary session is rapidly passing away. What
is done, must he done quickly.
1t seems to be pretty generally admitted,
by the members with whom we have, con-
versed, that the action OH the question of
County Organization, viii result in material
" changing the functions and diminishing
the powers of County Judge, but not in the
abolition of the Office. Probate business
will be left in his hands; and the several
county officers will constitute, with him, a
board to transact business hitherto devolving
upon him; OF Board of supervisors will
be called irt to. relieve him of excessive re-
sponsibilitics.
The Regristry Bill sleeps upon the table;
from whence it should be taken and passed
into law, with as little delay as possible
Many events that have transpired in the
country within few years past, indicate the
necessity for a stringent Registry Law, to
preserve the purity of the ballot-box. There
is a needless tiiaidity on this point. A just
Registry Law impairs no mans rights but
on the contrary, is expressly designed to
preserve those rights.
The Judiciary Committees of the two
Houses, have been in joint session for some
time, on the Report of the Code Conms jon
ers, and have already agreed to make par
tial report. We are gratified to be able to
state, that there is every probability of final
action being reached upon this subject before
the close Of the present session. Two years
since, the work of revision commenced, and
the universal conviction is that it ought to
be drawn to close. The Report OF the
Commissioners will probably be amended in
several particulars but not SO as to impair
the harmony Of the system of practice they
have suggested.
An appraisment Law viii probably be adj
dopted. Each House has bill before it
That of the Senate we have not yet seen !;
that of the House is very carefully drawn.
The grant of the Air line Rail Road viii
probably be rescindcd, at an early day /; but
it is not so clear what disposition will be
made of it. Whatever may be the action of
the Legislature, it will probably be resisted,
The intense feeling on the subject, and the
diverse interests to be satisfied, leave but lit
tie doubt of the correctness Of this conclu-
sion. ......
Large appropriations for the Benevolent
and other institutions of the State, are not
likely to meet with much favor this session.
The stringency in the money market dsin-
clines the majority to impose heavy bur
then Of taxation and we think it will be
found when the session closes, that the Re-
publicans have been true to themselves and
their policy Of moderate taxation for State
purposes. Daily State Register, Is.
Hon. ]. C. Mitchell, of the Iowa Legisla-
ture, has repeatedly placed us under obliga-
tions for valuable State documents. We ac-
knowledge specially, among those recently
received, Reports of Code Commissioners on
Civil and Criminal Practice, and the Bill OF
MIR. Gillett, of Franklin county, for the re-
organization of Counties and Townships.
New TIcKET--A correspondent of the
Fairfield .efersoniaa, suggests Andrew