The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-03-10


Des M0isaes C0rresp pmdence.
Des Moines. March 7th, 1864.
En-. COURIER.
Dear Sir -Overshaddowsd by the aw.
ful presence Of editors and correspondents
innumsrable-of profound and spicy pro-
clivities-your humble servant has modest.
" and silently said nothing for some weeks,
not frrm lack of subjects and events to
chronicle 80 much IS the conscious inferi-
oTity of his ''style," when compared to tina t
Of II inkensale," "Dobbins," and "sich, u
who have oil been here, anticipating and
presenting events 10 their unimitatable
style. II however, Mr.. Editor, you will do
me the honor, will tell you what is going
on here in Des Moines, in plain "United
States" language, barren of adornmsnts,
poor in Latin, and void of beauty.
Since the opening Of the session the mem.
bers Of the Senate have been unusually at.
tentive. Verv few are on leave OF absence,
while scalp Of the Senate has not been
made on any vote yet. Usually al are
present who are in town and in good health
Only twelve membe rs are absent in tho
House, and the remaining ones grumble
when others are granted leave. Senator
Dixon is always on hand to vote intelligent.
ly on every question. and being an old
member, and accustomed to the rules is
never caught mapping when any shrewd dis
position is snd.,ys:p g. e ab! Bin providing
for receiving State Bank paper for taxes
created quite sensation, and called several
members from their seats. who rather
WINGED under his formi dable array of facts
and figures to prove the inadequate and in
sufficient securities of the State Banks
He made far the ablsst speech in opposi ton
TO tho Bill. Senator Moore Of Davis Coun-
ty is another indefatigable worker, and reg
ular attendant. Always in his seat, and
craving the attention Of the Senate but sell
dom, whatever he says commands the whole
attention of every member. Senator Davis
is Chairman Of the military committee
Right here will mention the ever efficient
and gentlemanly Sergeant at Arms of the
Senate Mr.. Law, one of the wheel horses Of
Republicanism in Davis county. He speaks
confidently Of the "Hairy Nation" be thor
oughly redeemed from the evils Of Copper.
headism, and thinks the Republican Union
majority of old Davis will be still further in.
creased by the next election. Senator
Stubbs, the tall gentleman from Jefferson
County, has already made his mark among
tho men Of the Senatorial body. Being 9
thorough lawyer, and understanding the
Statute Of the State about as well Is If he
had made II himself he ever stands uI
against inroads. repeats, and changes. be
l,eving that poor laws we'll understood, arr
better than good ones. amended and pie ced
and then repealed and made over again.
He 10 undoubtedly right. This accounts
for the many conflicting decisions Of tn
courts of this state. His Bill for the relic
Of Soldiers families will perhaps come u
this weeks.
The Railroad question, or resumption Bill
is now being sifted in the House. Four q
| Ave days have already been consumed In it,
discussion. and only fur or five speeche
have been made. It seems to be IN, unend
ing, intricate subject. Richards Of Dubuqu'
made the finest oratorical display of tho SEES
sion in the House last Saturday. He is pu
forward as the champion Of railroa 5, agains
resumption. Our young member from Wa
pello, Mr.. Stiles, answers him this morning
The friends, or those in favor Of resumption
have unanimously chosen Mr.. Stiles As tn
proper person to answer the able argumen
and fine speech of Mr.. Richards. II is pre-
ty hard to tell, as yet, but from what ca
learn, there seems to be q majority for RI
sumption. A resolution was passed in tn
Senate last week, memorializing Congress
extend the time Of the Land Grant to Raj
roads ten years. The Resolution was no
strictly test question on resumption, bu
those who were not in favor OF resumptio
opposed it for the reason that it asked Cor
gress for power to make the titles Of tn
settlers good. This was thought to give tn
Legislature too much power. This resolr
ton was introduced by Senator Stubbs,-
With your leave will write you agai
this week, Yours &c, JUNIOR.
Three anti.slAvery papers are abou
to be started in Tennessee-one a
Nashv lie, one at Murfreesboro, an