davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY ~, 1870.

and the evidences of debt cancelled,
there will be no going bshind that
settlement, and that only in very
small portion of these debts was any
resistance made to this mode of pay.
ment.
The decision docs not touch the
question whether tho note tender
act is altogether illegal. We are not
aware that any case involving the
legality of tho act as to contracts
made while 1t is in force, has been
brought before tho Court. The prin.
ciple that tho law should try to
carry ont the intent of the contract
ing parties, which makes tho note
tender act illegal as to coin contracts,
Will enforce the specific performance
OF q contract made in this legal ten.
dor papor. Therefore the decision
that the note tender act is illegal
does not necessarily follow the de.
cision that it is illegal as to contracts
made previous to its enactment
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
RAILROAD MEETING AT IRVING.


Pursuant to notice gwen, the citi.
zens of Salt Creek valley met in
Fclkers Hall, Irving on the 22d OF
January, 1870, at | O'Clock p. m.
J. r. Graham was chosen Chair
man and G. G. Mason, Secretary.
On Motion OF H. W. Vandyke, the
chair appointed s. w. Hutton, F. q.
Clark, Warren Rogers, H. W. Van
dyke and NJ, b. Sharp, committee on
resolutions, who reported as follows,
which were adopted unanimously:
Resolred, LIST, That we, the citizens
of Salt Lake Valley assembled in
convention, feeling the Importance Of
a North and South Railroad, pledge
the grading Of such road from Bclle
Plaine to Cedar Falls or Waterloo.
Resolued, I'd, That a committee of
three be appointed to confer and
correspond with the officers Of the
Ottumwa T. ST. Paul RR., in relation
to the route.
Resolued, Sd, That q committee Of
fifteen be appointed to canvass the
district interested in the proposed
road, to ascertain the amount that
can be obtained for the construction
ofthe same, who shall report at the
next meeting.
Corresponding Committee -Messrs
G. G. Mason, Waltham Warren
Rogers, Buckingham and J. w.
Filikins, Belle Plaine.
Canvassing Committee-G. Jaqua
and d. Connell, Buckinham War
rem Rogers, Charles Lonp, Perry ;
Nathan HUFF, NJ. B. Sapp, Onodia ;
Abran Childs, Carroll II. L. Smith,
Frank Benisch, H. w. vandyke, J. R
Graham, York ; s. w. Hutton, Geo.
Williams, Salt Crook John Schlich-
ting, Presley Hutton, Belle Blaine.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
Hating between two Opins
ions.

Our neighbors Of Mahaska Co.,
according to the Conserrator, arc in
fresh trouble about their railroad
matters. 1t would appear that
President Gilmore has notified them
that he cannot make running ar
rangements with the North Mo. RR.,
and the building Of the road South Of
Oskaloosa will have to be abandoned,
for the present at least. That also
he cannot build the road by next
July, and an extension OF the time
is asked for. That the people are
exercised too With the fear that the
Central Iowa when built, will make
junction with the D. v. road, some
four miles from Oskaloosa, and so
build up a rival town.
The ConserUator has a long article
upon the subject, and among the
suggestions it makes to avoid a rival
town being built up near to Oskaloo-
ga as before mentioned, it says:
"How can we prevent it?
eve might prevent it by "doing
the fair thing" with the Central rail.
road Go. We might release them
from completing the road south of
Oskaloosa to Abba, for the present,
and cooperate with Ottumwa to run
the road down the divide to that
point, which would make it com.
peting road against the D. V. r. r.
We have no doubt but running ar.
rangements can be made with the
North Missouri, which will be COM
pleted to Ottumwa next summer; and
while the work is moving on from
Marshalltown toward Oskalaosa, it
might be moving on from Ottumwa
to Oskaloosa, and the cars run clear
through by July, 1871
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
The Legislature

Iesteroay morning the fresldlng
officers of the two branches of the
General Assembly adjourned their
respective houses at s o'clock A. NJ,
until the 23d inst, at 10 o'clock, A.
NJ. In the meantime, the visiting
committees make their journeys to
the various State institutions, and
will, on the assembling of the Legis-
lature, be able to make their reports
and furnish tho desired information
as TO the present condition of these
institutions, and their needs in tho
way of appropriations, for the next
two years. Also during the recess
the various members, will be ut home
with their constituents, and will all
have with them, doubtless from $50
to 200 printed Bills, that have been
introduced. and will come up for &C.
tion upon them during the session.
Members ofthe Legislature will de
sire to obtain the opinion Of their con-
stituehts upon these pending meas
ures, which embrace almost every
thing that can be thought of, and
some Of them are very important
Should the State Capitol Bill pass
then, in our opinion, no more new
buildings involving any considerable
outlay, ought to be commenced at
this session.
The necessary appropriations for
the Insane asylum at independence
in order to SO far complete:it, as to
make it fit for use, and also the ap-
preparation for the Deaf and DA.a1
Asylum at Council Bluffs, which is
in an uncompleted state, will with
the appropriations that must be made
in order to meet the current expenses
Of running the various institutions Of
the State, call for an expenditure lar
ger by far, than the State has evor
made before, and will therefore be
certainly all that wise Legislators
ought to appropriate. 1t must be
borne in mind, too, that we have re.
ceived the greater part, due the State
from the General government, and
will not be aided much, if any, in this
way for the two years to come. And
it must be further remembered, too
that should a Capitol be commenced
now and only s15O,Ooo appropriated
at this time, that two years hence
an appropriation of not less than
100000 will be required for thil
purpose. We think then that soune
policy, and prudent Legislation will
in these times of monied stringency
with no very favorable outlook fol
the future. demand that il q Stat,
House be commenced that we com
mence no new public buildings tha
are liable to require mnch expendi
turc ofthe peoples money.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17

they not been SO stared, have al.
ready been Of incaiculable benefit to
the entire State, especially to the
counties through which they pass,
and many Of which counties have
never contributed anyt hing towards
the roads. What would the comp ar;
tive condition of Ottumwa and
Wapello county have been today,
without their two roads which were
commenced in that way? And the
cities and counties, which, on ac-
count of the failure of others, did
contribute more than their shares are
now seriously embarrassed to tho
very great INJURY, not only of
themselves, but Id Z greater degree
to the injury of the entire State. For
the unfavorable conditions which
prevent emigration to those cities
and counties, through which the en-.
tire emigration into the State must
pass, undoubtedly has the effect to
keep large numbers Of people and an
immense amount of capital away
from the State altogether. There.
fore it would seem that not only JUS
tice but policy would favor some pru-
dent action -of which the aRepre-
sentative Men" of Iowa should be
able honestly and impartially to de-
termine the details, for the tempora
ry or gradual reliet Of the counties
so involved. 1t would take but very
little indeed, say portion of the
special Railroad tax, in those coun-
ties, to put them OH their feet, and
enable them to yearly do more to-
wards the progress of the State at
large, than the entire amount Of their
present Indebtedness.
The amount of money assistance
need not be large, the great impetus
would be from the moral effect of
increased credit and confidence, both
in and outside of the communities
most concerned. A very little back
ing to those counties, the giving of
which would not be felt by the State
at large, except in its own greatly
increased prosperity, would put an
end to the discreditable bond war
fare, which, although involving d.
rectly only certain counties, has
damaged, and is damaging the repu.
tation Of the entire State more than
;sgenerally appreciated.
It certainly will do harm to consid-
or what, in this matter, may be
FAIR PLAY.
Ottumwa, February 8, 1870.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
/ go to Buckinham tomorrow, to

go to Buckinham tomorrow, to
attend a Railroad meeting.
The business men of Victorpromise
to advocate the matter strongly
south Of them, and think the farmers
will take hold of tho matter with
energy.
As far as have examined, l con,
slider ours much the cheapest and
most direct route that is yet spoken
of, and have full confidence that the
inhabitants will respond n obly TO the
pledge in the first resolution of the
Irving Convention.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
The Supreme Court Decision.

|
The decision ofthe Supreme Court
of the q. S. bearing upon tho legal
tender act, is one Of the most import.
ant made for years, and one in which
the whole country takes y deep inter-
est. We publish, therefore, tor the
information of our readers, the fol
lowing succinct statement Of what
the decision is, as givon by the Gin
cinnsti Gazette. This epitome OF
the decision is doubtless entirely cor
rect, and bears upon its face the marks
Of sound reasoning and good law
By it, it will be seen that the legal
tender act is by no means decided
unconstitutional:
"HThe Supreme Court has decided
that the note tender act is unconsti.
tutional as to contracts made previ
GUS to it's enactment. This was ren
dered certain by the decision
previously made, namely, that q
contract specifically to pay coin
made previous to the note tender act
| must be paid in coin. The decision
does not touch contracts made since
tho enactment Of the note tender act
Thus it simply leaves the intent o
the parties to be carried out. They
who contracted to pay dollars whel
coin was the lawful money, will have
to pay as they agreed.
| This decision reaches all the debit
contracted prior to February 20, 1862
1t will comprehend large amour
of State, county, city and railroat
debts, but not u large amount Of in
dividual debts. Tho States canno
be sued, and therefore will pay u
thcy choose; but the municipal AM
railroad corporations can be compel
led. The question will naturall.
arise, how does itafect debts contrac,
ed before tho note tender act, an
paid in these notes? We suppos
that where payment was accepted
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
at Yorktown, and had also served il
TIM .vor nf 1910

at Yorktown, and had also served in
the war of 1872.
A resolution was adopted directing
the COMMITTEES on Public Lands to
define by law what IS meant by
swamp and overfowed lands.
Mr. Nigley's amendment, offered
| yesterday, keeping the Capital Po-
lice up to the present number, gave
rise to considerable discussion, and
was finally rejected.
Mr.. Butler, Of Mass, moved to re-
duce it half a million with the pro-
viso that no part of it shall be paid
for mileage. He desired the gentle
men 70 go to the country on the ques-
tion of economy; that they should
vote on some practical thing. Here
was measure that affected the mem
bers themselves, and on which they
could save to the treasury fifty thou
sand dollars year.
The debate was general, spicy aud
exciting.
Messrs. Fitch, Kelly, Farnsworth
and Cox opposed the reduction, and
Ingersoll and Latin supported it
Mr.. Cox improved the occasion %
attack Butler of Massachusetts, who,
he said, ironically, loved the people
and would not take mileage either in
currency or gold.
Mr.. Butler replied disdanfnlly,
"Shoo fly, don't bodder me-
Mr.. Cox in return said, every body
knew that the gentleman was bad
man.
Nj. Hoar made the point that Mr..
Cox was transgressing tho rules OF
the House.
The Chairman would have sus.
tanned the point had not the gentle.
mans time expired. The discussion
was continued at some length. and
was participated IN by number of
members.
Mr.. Cox again obtained the floor
and replied to Mr.. Butler, Of Mass,
in some rather personal remarks, and
was finally called to order By Mr..
Dawes.
A vote was then taken n Mr.. But
ler's amendment and it was rejected.
Various other items Of the bill.
about clerks for committees, &c, gave
rise TO discussion. Finally the com
mittee arose and the House adjourn
ed.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
Congressional.
Washin gton, Feb. =
SENATE.

Senator Wilson introduced bill
to increase the number of Judges OF
Supreme Court and Circuit Courts oil
the United States, and to estab
lish botndaries of judicial Districts.
1t provides for eleven Circuit Judges,
ten Supreme Judges.
The greater portion of the morn
Ing was consumed by sMr. Morton
speaking upon the mutual relation $
Of the United States. He took
strong grounds against the United
States allowing the Spanish Govern
ment to fit out war vessels in our
harbors for purposes of carrying on
war against Cuba, and against the
United States furnishing aid and ma
terial to the Spanish Government In
this contest.
The Bill of Mr.. Morton, with that
of the House relative to neutral rela-
tions of the United States, were then
referred to the Compit:ec on For
eign Relations.
Mr.. Trumbull reported q bill to
change the judicial circuits. As
amended the 7th circuit comprises
Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin; the
9Th Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kan
sas and Missouri.
The bill further requires that JUS
tices OF the Supreme Court of the
United States be residents of their
respective circuits, and that va
cancies must be filled by residents Of
the circuit.
Mr.. Chandler introduced the bill
last session to regulate commerce
between States, and cheaper trans
portation of mails, &c. The Bill au-
thorizes the construction of first
class railroad from Washington to
New York. capitol stock to be sl0,-
900, 900. 1t also provides for a rail
road and telegraph line from Wash
ington to Pittsburg, to be called the
Washington and Northwestern RR.,
and Telegraph Company, and also
for a Railroad and Telegraph line
from Washington to Cincinnati, also
provisions as to former Company
being also applicable to all.
The Senatea sis, adjourned.
HI tUsE.--The House resumed the
consideration OF the Fostdr- -Covode
contested election case from Penn
After 6 discussion of about three
hours, the House proceeded to vote on
tho resolution. Those of the minori,
ty declaring Foster elected, were re
jected those Of the majority
declaring Covode elected were adop-
ted by strict party vote.
The oath Of Office was administered
to Covode.
Mr. Julian, from tho Committee
ON Public Lands, reported a bill for
tire rc1fef vi sotyiers ON certain lands
in Iowa Passed.
Mr.. LawI ence, from the Recon.
struction Committee, reported a bill
to enforce the amendments to the
Constitution. Adopted.
Mr.. Banks offered a resolution
calling on the President for in
formation that may have been re-
ceived by the Govcrnmentin in reference
to recent assault on Cuba, and the
reported murder of one or more
American citizens in Cuba. Adop
ted.
The House then adjourned.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
Age of the Cow.

The age Of the COW is known by
the teeth and horns. This animal is
furnished with eight cutting teeth
in the lower jaw; at the age Of ten
months the two middle-most of these
fall out, and are replaced by others
that are not SO white, but broader;
at the age of sixteen months the two
next milk white teeth fall ont like
wise, and others come up in their
room, thus, at the end of every six
months, the creature loses and gains,
till at the age of three years all the
cutting teeth are renewed, and then
they are long, pretty white, and
equal; but in proportion as the ami
NAL advances in years, they become
irregular and black, their inequali-
ties become smoother, and the ami
NAL less capable of chewing its food,
Thus the COW often declines from
this single cause; for as it is obliged
to eat q great deal to support life,
and as tho smoothness Of the teeth
makes the difficulty ofchewing great,
suuICiout quoueiey VI Aoou C0uuos
be supplied to the stomach. Thus
the poor animal sinks in the midst OF
plenty and evory year grows leanel
nd leaner till it dies.
The horns are another and o surel
method of determining this animals
age. At three years old, a very
slight external shell coating falls of
at the places where the horns are
about arising. At four years of age
the COW has small, pointed, neat
smooth horns thlckest near tn.
head; at five the horns become larger
and are marked around with the for
mer year growth. Thus, while th'
animal continues TO live, the horns
continue to longthen, and every yeal
anew ring is added at the root; &c
that allowing three years before
their appearance, and then reckonln.
the number OF rings, we have, il
both together the animals ago ex
actly:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
Correspondence.

Taking an interest IN
news from the political Mecca Of
Iowa, although in no wise in the pill
grimage business myself notice
that your "Occasionar' correspond
ent there, seems disposed to intimate
that of those who 60 there in these
days to "Watch and prey" an un.
seemly number 60 rather to prey than
to ,oatch. Evidently however, among
the latter named faithful few zoe
casional" intends I'd stand, "and face
frowning Notwithstanding flesh
and the Devil if need be.
There is certainly great propriety
in his demand that, in matter of so
great Importance to Iowa as passage
Of Capitol bill, no indecent haste
should be allowed to prevail in any
way. The matter should be very
thoroughly discussed, in order to
determine just what Iowa needs in
that direction, and also as to the ad-
visibility of commencing such an
improvement now, or thatof waiting
| a very few years, and thus without
doubt saving to the State several
hundred thousand dollars in cost OF
construction.
There may, however, be reasons
good for making commencement
now, still thorough investigation and
ventilation Of tho subject before def
mite action will certainly not damage
the interests of the people, who are
to pay the bills.
But your correspondent refers to
two certain facts as indicating somo
sort OF collision or connection of in
terests bet ycen those favoring the
Capitol bill, and others desiring the
relief of certain counties, WHICH are
laboring under heavy Indebtedness
incurred for building Railroads.
know nothing as to what special
ground there may be for charging
"bargain and sale" in this matter
neither do know what efforts are
being made,-nor by whom, for tbs
relief of the counties: mentioned; bu,
knowing, as l do, somewhat Of the
history of the Railroad Indebtedness
referred to, it seems to me that your
correspondent is in dagger of doing
soma injustice, if he is to be under
stood as opposing altogether any
action for such reliei.
| In this day of certain (although i
has seemed slow progression 10
wards justice-fair play, which for
bids til shirking of responsibility
between nation and communities as
well rs between individuals, (the frs
being illustrated by what We are dc
manding, and intend to have, from
England, and the last very we'll SC,
forth by the feeling just now pre-
vailing in Oltumwa 10 regard to pri
vate subscriptions to railroads), i
seems to me that we should be care
full not to ignore tho principle as ap
plying between the different pal o
the Same State.s
Il In the earlier times flowa certain
cities, AS Dubuque, Davenport, Bu'
lington, keokuk and others with thei
, surrounding counties, which wer
. and still are the entry ways to tn
, State, assumed in their corporal
capacities as cities and counties yer
f heavy Indebtedness in inauguratin
h certain Railroads to oXtend into an
across the State. Those roads, whic
would not to-day be in existence ha
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-02-17
Railroad Intelligouce.

We publish below a letter written
to the Hon. Joseph Dycart, Senator
from Tama county, by prominent
gentleman of the Salt Creek valley,
on the line of Benton and Tama coun.
ties. We also publish in same con-
necticn the proceedings of a meeting
held at Victor, looking to a union
with US in our Ottumwa g. st. Paul
r. r. There can be no doubt but
that the people of the Salt Creek val
ley and vicinity, as the Honorable
Senator from Tama county said to
the writer hereof, are in downright
earnest in this matter. Let US see to
it that there be nolack of encourage
ment from us extended to them.
Waltham, Iowa,
Feb, %, 1870.
Hon. Joseph Dycart,
DEAR SIR: Your
esteemed favor of Jan. 21st ult., was
received during my absence to Chi
cago. | returned ria Victor in order
to look after the interest of our rail
road; found the business men of the
town very favorable to .he enter
prise.
Enquired about the lay of land
south of the town, and found it ia
vorable, distance of 26 miles where
it would tap the coal veins ut Goa
Creek, Prairie Tp., Keokuk county,
Iowa.
There would be an easy descent
via valley into the town of Victor
from the south. From Victor te
Belle Plaine | examined the grounc
carefully with the following results
which is as near as | could estimat,
without actual measurement. From
Victor the road could bear littl'
east of north about % miles, thcn /.
cut about 10 rods long, and near 16 o,
IS feet deep, leading into valley
running north about "a miles, where
it will strike point of land which
could bo cut through or avoided by {
detour to tho east about ] of mile
| think it would be advisable to Gu
through as the work would not b.
very heavy, say about 20 rods long
and Is to 20 feet deep.
From thence it could follow anotb
or hollow running north about thre
miles, where would be q cut rbout 3
or 40 rods long and from 25 to 30 fee
deep leading into a hollow runnin,
directly north, toward Belle Plainc
distance about miles, not varyin,
moro than mile from direct line
| l was much pleased to find tn
county so favorable 1or u railroad, a
l had always had doubts about bcin
able toreach tho Iowa river bottom
at point south Of Belle Plainc.
| Our canvassing committee ar
already at work, procuring promis
Of stock, donations and right of way
with favorable results. But the
must haze sufficient guaranty that II
road UM be built. No more Toled
farces will be tolerated by them.
| send you printed proceedings
the Convention at Irving, whie
adjourned to meet ut Waltham, Fe
i, 18th inst.