The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1864-03-01

islatures have been troubled with them,
and some think that their spirits are still
fitting around I" Capitol Hill"
There is one other matter that occurs
to my mind just here. | wish that it
was possible FOR the people TO fully rea-
lie the benefit, the absolute gain, in ev.
cry possible essential, that they derive,
in their public interests, through the
service of experienced Legislators and
the material. absolute loss they suffer
by the common tendency TO change in
this connection. Experience, always
valuable, seems to be essentially neces-
sary, and wonderfully efficient, in legis-
lative matters. In my opinion, this
State is under load of obligations 10
those Representative districts that es-
chewed the abominabe idea Of rotation,
in the late election. l think the value
Of the few old members that were re-
turned to the lower house Of this Gen.
eral Assembly, TO the State, is very great
indeed, for through them much crudity
of Legislation has been exposed, much
time saved, and many mistakes avoided.
Doubtless such clear headed, practical,
straight forward, energetic men as BERE-
MAN, Of Henry, MoIR, Of Hardin. Rus
sell, Of Jones, NELSON, of Winnesheik,
and PAULK, Of Allamakee, would make
good Legislators at the start, but unques-
tionably their capacity for usefulnes, is
greatly enhanced because Of their expe-
Renee. And so, while we have score
Of new members who, on the floor and
in the committee room now show them
selves clear headed, practical and honest,
yet all must know that the usefullnes Of
these men must Of necessity be small,
this session, to what il would be if call
ed to serve in future General Assem-
blies. Let the people be sure they Sc
cure the necessary basis Of honesty,
good sense and industry in their legisla-
tors, and then to this add experience,
and my word for it, their work will be
done more quickly, more smoothly, and
infinitely better, than it can be while
they insist upon the absurdlty of rotat-
ing their legislators out of Office every
two and four years.
But | must give you some indication
of what has been done by the assem-
bled wisdom, the past week, first pre-
missing that | hope little more care may
be exercised in the reading of "proof,"
that I may not be chargeable with muir
derng the Kings English too horribly.
The Senate, on Monday, passed the
bill fixing the salary of District Attor-
ney's. 1t gives salary of 5000, and
fixes the fees in each jury trial at $500
making no discrimination as 10 whether
defendant is convicted or acquitted, a
provision ably pressed by your Senator,
Mr.. HART. The Senate has also passed
a bill amending the Road law, so as to
adopt it to the present system Of county
government. 1t gives the Board of Su.
pervisors the power to review damages.
The House BILL providing for the issue
Of writs ofreplevin and attachment on
Sunday, in cases where plaintiff files an
affidavit that he will lose his claim if de.
laved, also passed. A bill for the en-
enlargement OF public libraries, plso
passed. 1t gives to every public library
in the State Of 200 volumes and over, a
copy of every book and public docu-
ment published by the State, not other.
wise appropriated. AS the bill has pass
ed both houses, it will doubtless be Of
interest to Independence and Quasque.
ton Library Associations. The Senate
also passed bill providing that the
Governor shall keep an Office in this
city. but refused to increase the com
pensation of his Excellency. Both
Houses, however, have concurred in a
bill raising the salary of the Adjutant
General to $4,000. Also a bill exempt.
ing from taxation, young cattle of far
mers, teamsters and other laborers,
when they have no teams to exempt, and
not to exceed in number the animals that
would be exempted as teams if they
owned such teams. The Senate has also
passed the House bill granting to Rail
road companies the right to issue con.
slruction bonds in sums of $50 and over.
This was asked for in some portions Of
the State SO that farmers could take small
subscriptions and work them out, and
in this way assist the construction Of
Railroads.
In the House, the apprasement law
came under discussion, elicitng the