The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-03-31
2 From /" Index"

EDITORS COURIER Both Houses of the
Legislature were engaged yesterday for
the most part In passing local bills, and
disposed of the larger part Of this class OF
Legislation that was pending.
To-day, there was passed in the Senate
to its third reading, the bill for an appro-
priation to the State University OF $25, 900.
The Senate also had under consideration
the bill fixing the salaries Of the Governor,
Secretary Of State. Treasurer of State, Au-
ditor of State, and State School superin-
tendent, and after good deal Of discus
sion and the passage of some amend
ments to the bill, it was recommitted to
the Committee on Compensation of Public
Officers, with instructions to embody in
the same bill the matter of fixing upon
the salaries OF Supreme, District and Cir
cult Judges.
By this bill the salary of the Governor
is fixed at %. 500, and the other State On
GERS mentioned, at ~, 400 each.
A bill that originated III the House, Civ
ing the power to the Boards of supervi-
sors to make an appropriation of SO 900
for bridge purposes, without submitting
1t to vote of the people. came up in the
Senate and was lost. It lacked one vote
Of having constitutional majority. The
bill provided that it should be applica BILE
only to counties Of $4,000 inhabitants,
and the amount that might be appropri.
ated was increased in proportion to the
number of inhabitants over $15, 900, &c
that in your county an appropriation ol
4l5, ,00J might be made. 1t is possible that
the vote may be reconsiiered to morrow
and the bill passed.. We notice that the
Senators of the three counties of Polk,
Mahaska and Wapello were iyided on
this question. The Senators from Polk
and Mahaska voting for the bill, and the
Senator from Wapello voting against It..
1t will be remembered that in these coun-
ties the question Of appropriating con-
siderable sum of money for bridging the
Des Moines river in each county, was sub
mitted to vote Of the people, and lost in
all Of them. Think that If the Board OF
Supervisors were empowered to make ap.
preparation necessary for the bridging o.
such rivers. itwould lead to bitter strife
and discussion, and better be left where
it is.
The Senate also Indefinitely postponed
the bill providing for empowering the
Boards of Supervisors to require the
Treasurers of Counties to deposit the
funds Of the County in banks, contract
ing with the bank for certain rate per
cent thereon.
Tomorrow, in the Senate, comes up the
bill for new Penitentiary. do not be.
lieve it can pass.
In the House tomorrow the considera
tion the bill tariffing Railroads, is the spe
cial order
A real genuine scare in the House oc
CURED to-day. occasioned by the intro
duction of resolution by Mr.. Haycock
of Keokuk County. The resolution called
for an Investigation of the question as tc
whether any members Of tho House haG
been corruptly approached in regard Il
his vote upon the caFstol appropriation
Upon its Introduction both friends and
foes of the Capitol bill united in demand
ing the passage. 1t passed unanimously
and committee of seven. as called for BY
the resolution, vas appointed. This com
mittee have the usu al powers appertair
ingto like committees. and it may be Ok
pected, l should judge from the character
Of the committee, that full investiga
tion, so far as 1t can be brought to light
will be made. am not in possession O
any of the facts that warrant me in Civ
ing an opinion as to what will be the re
suit. If there has been any undue iuflu
ences used upon any members, I suppos.
| 1t will be packed Off on to some irrespon
| sible party outside Of the Legislature
who, nobody will know; or, at least
who, nobody will admit, was authorized
by the friends of the Capitol bill, to max
any offers of money or other wise. Sucl
matters should, however, be thoroughly
sifted. and l have nossdoibt this will be
This will draw the line on the Capitol mea
| sure very tightly. and, think, 1t may.b'
INDEX.