Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-03-04
OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENCE.

OUR CAPITAL CORRESPONDENCE.
LEoIsLArlvs HALLS, Dies Mo1xEs,l
ga February ~, 1864.
The Senate has adjourned until Monday
morning, having accomplished good weeks
work. do not think the convention of
Monday soured the minds of any of its MEM
bers. They seemed refreshed and invigorated,
and have taken hold Of the business before
them with . 2 al that betokens an early ad-
journment.
The House, on the other hand, has not
been bilious, but very laxative. At one o.
clock, pending the consideration of the Iowa
State Bank paper question, the House voted
to adjourn, compelling its members to return
at 2 p. IN. AS the speaker threw down his
gavel and rules, l saw frown upon his face,
indicative of disgust with such kind flegis-
lation.
The Senate had, early in the session, pass.
ed bill authorizing the State and County
Treasurers to receive for taxes green. backs,
national currency and Iowa Bank bills. The
House struck out Iowa money. The Senate,
by very decided majority, inserted Iowa
money, and this forenoon the question arose
10 the House, Shall the House concur in the
Senate amendment ?" The House concurred
and then defeated the bill, and then recon-
sidered its vote. The best speeches of the
day were those by the Speaker and Mr.. Rich
ards, Of Dubuque. The bill finally passed, and
at about shutdown the House adjourned.
Iowa State Bank paper will continue to DO
received for taxes. .. "a, ....g.. ..-.:
The Senate has to-day passed the County
Superintendent bill, increasing the duties and
compensation of that officer. The bill makes
the Office one of great responsibility, and fix.
es the minimum compensation at $50, and
the maximum at 5000, according to the pop.
ulation of counties. s -..-..-
A new homestead law has also been order
ed to its third reading in the Senate, and will
pass on Monday or Tuesday. The bill allows
persons to acquire homesteads not exceeding
in value $4,000. Such homestcads are not
subject to execution for debts incurred before
being acquired, except mortgages, liens, debts
of guardians to minors and of administrators
and executors. The homestead may be ap.
praised, and if appraised at more than $4,000
may be sold at not less than $4,000. The
judgment debtor must receive 1000 from the
proceeds Of such sale. The bill may be de-
ieated, but it is step in the right direction,
and trust 1t may become law.
On Monday the great and overshadowing
question of resumption will come up in the
House. Present indications are that the State
will resume to protect the people. The Du.
buque Sioux City and Cedar Rapids & Mis-.
souri, River Co.'s are making fair propositions
and promises. The NJ. & NJ. and the B. & M.
roads are unrepresented here, and suppose
are indispcsed to prepare or accept terms
This measure disposed of and the ''assem.
bled wisdom" will probably reach home about
the first of April.
mentioned the name of Mr.. Richards, Of
Dubuque. A more gentlemantly, compan'
ionable fellow never met. l have stepped
into the House, after jostling my way through
the crowd of wsaried representatives in !the
Post Office and found some dry and uninter.
est,ng speakers upon the floor, discoursing to
empty seats. Presently Mr.. Richards takes
the floor, and addresses the chair, and if his
be set speech, not five minutes will elapse
before he has the attention Of every member
His ideas are tersely expressed, his logic
clear and convincing, his command of Ian
guage unsurpassed, and his delivery enticing
1t is pleasure to listen to him, upon any
topic. His heart is warm, his impulses gen
erous, and like the man. l don't think hin
much Of Mahoneyite, for he expressed him
self confident of the early return Of the
Southern States to their former relation,
with us and the revival of that splendid com
merce upon the Mississippi. ,..r .-...
One of the best men in the Senate whose
heart is always right whose mind is never
muddled,-sits near the first window on the
right as you enter. A jolly, boon compan
ion, with reserved dignity enough to suit
himself to any circumstances. ready debatel
and one who commands attention, must bt
permitted to say that Like 3. T. Hunt, O
| Clayton. ....-...... . ..,oo D.