The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-02-07
EFo1 DeS MofMes.
HoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
February l, 1862.

kEo1 ICES mOtAeos
HoUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
February /, 1862.
EDITOR GATE CRY - The novelty of
proceedings here, is gradually wearing of.
The legislative business is taking steady,
but slow and regular course, and the NV
members areby degrees initiated in its
secrets. The newspaper matter and frank
ing privilege. which have consumed
great deal Of valuable time, were during
the past week brought to final con-
clusion, and members are now furnished
with certain number of stamps weekly,
instead of the old custom of franking.-
This innovation produced the resolution
Of Mr.. Shipmsn, from Muscatine, e'.that
an intelligent contraband be employed. to
lick the stamps for the members" This
not being carried. or rather not put by the
speaker, gave rise TO an addition to the
rules adopted by the assembly, and some
wag Incorporated the rules lying in the
Speakers stand, by adding "Rule II, lick
your stamps"
The House this week, was thrown into
great excitement and confusion by the
introduction by Flint of one of the most
infamous bills ever produced in free
State. 1t provides that any mulatto CON-
ing to this State. shall produce certificate
Of freedom. signed by some court and give
$500 bond for good behavior which 10
declared forfeited on conviction for crime
or misdemeanor. One Of its sections
contemplates to make us the bloodhounds
Of this unfortunate class, by declaring it
"tAe daty" of every body electromagnetic
every negro or mulatto not complying
With the provision Of this bill, and SUBJ
jects the negro to be hired out for "he
best price" BY the Board of Supervisors
on noncompliance. Another section i'm
poses fine Of not less than $500 and not
more than $1,000 on any person harbor-
ing such person. The last section provides
Tor the safe passage Of emigrants through
this State with their slaves. This practic-
ally would make this State Slave State,
ane would give slaveowners the privilege,
to stay in the State with their human
chstte.s, as long as they saw IT, Such
a bill is SANDER and gross insult to an
intelligent and enlightened community, and
ought to be an everlasting burning shame
to the mover thereof.
| though that the State of Iowa would
be spared the humiliation of such an
outrageous proposition, and must make
the painful acknowledgement, that we still
have men among US, who would be more
fit subjects. to live under the dark reigns
Of the Spanish or Roman inquisition, than
. free country. The bill was indefinitely
postponed. although an attempt was made
to have It printed. to inform the citizens
of lows what kind Of men we have in our
Lslislatur, rs Mr.. Stevenson Of Lee prop
eriy remarked However it may be better
to have it passed over with the contemp,.
which il so richly deserved.
The bill, making the issues Of the State
Bank receivable for taxes is still pending
before the Senate and meets with Z heavy
opposition. The friends OF the measure
however are sanguine that it will pass. -
There is proposition before vhe Senate,
TO tax oil salaries over and above $500
which gave occasion to very spicy little
discussion between Senators Jennings and
Teeter.
The "Aspinwall Family is doing some
thing toward the entertainment Of our
Legislators and the citizens of the Capitol,
In the way Of concerts. They are no
great shakes and our town can boast of
dozens Of musical performers without any
pretensions, who could beat them al the
year round, without any effert.
Yours, j..
Iswa Legislature.
Des Moines Feb z