Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1872-03-07
Our Des MOines Letter.

Dies MONIES, Feb. %, 1872.
Mr.. Editor,-In-asmuch as the 18th
Gen'l Assembly very quietly passed
the proposed amendment to our
State constitution, to extend the priS.
ilege TO the women of Iowa to 60 to
the polls and there express their SER
tlments on the politics. issues OF the
day, ii was, till lately presumed
that no determined opposition
would array itself against its sub
mission to the consideration and de.
cision of the people this autumn.
The demoralizing and licentious doc
trine of Victoria G. Woodruff, re-
Gently thrust before the pablo, have
lisgusted very many of the best citi-
zens OF Iowa with the woman suffrage
movement. Their apprehension
that If the right to vote was conced.
ed to the. other sex, these horrible
views would gain ground and ulti.
mately subvert the very foundation
of civilized society, has stimulated
them to rally in close phalanx
against allowing even the canvassing
OF the question before the people.
Had it not been for the promulga.
ton OF her social heresies within the
last year, both Houses would have
voted nearly unanimously to send it
to the popular judgment. By very
small majority, the House, ignoring,
under the previous question, all DIS
cussion, last week agreed to the
amendment. The next day it was re-
ported to the Serate and On a motion
to postpone 1t indefinitely the immi-
nent danger Of its defeat altogether
became apparent. The friends Of
having it taken out ofpolitics togeth.
er with those who in sentiment favor
its adoption united IN refe, ring it to
the committee ,on Constitutional
Amendments. The enemies OF the
measure are confident OF their ability
to disagree with the; action of the
House and thus postpone the issue
tor six years at least !; and are there
fore urgent in their demands for Its
return to "the tiles," SO that, at an
early day, it may be reached and dis
posed Of adversely.
Both Houses have passed a bill to
authorize the establishment of school
district Libraries by gilt, bequest or
in any manner, except out of public
funds, to regulate their management
and secure their preservation. The
law is good one. and the friends OF
the free school-system-the believers
in the theory that the destiny Of our
democratic institutions hangs on the
spread Of intelligence among the
masses, should cooperate in every
School Districts in creating and pre-
serving such Libraries.
City marshals have not been as
faithful in many places as the public
good required. They have cared
more for their popularity with "ths
ronghs' than their obligations to per.
form their duties. The bill passed
the House recently to authorize the
Mayors to appoint these Marshals.
The Senate added an amendment,
on City Councils the pow
es to elect them. The House has
accepted this change and when prop
erly signed it will be the law.
How to divide civil Townships
legally has been puzzling problem
Tor good many years. The inter
.sts of communities, situated il the
'ame governmental Townships are
,ften SO antagonistic and diverse that
lie peace Of an entire county really
equires their separation and endow.
nent with complete civil organiza-
ion OF their own. Hence the reason
or the passage of bill by the House
making the way plain and easy. It
vill be approved by the Senate.
The recommendations made by
he convention of the members of
be Board Of Supervisors from the
ounties that respected the call, were
AIKEN up in the Senate on Monday
nd the subjects, on which they treat
d, were referred to the appropriate
Committees. Some of the changes
q the laws, they pointed out az ad-
'isable to be made, will unquestiona-
lie meet the appreciation OF this Leg
stature. Others are much in ad.
'ance Of public opinion and although
It some time not far down in tuturi-
y they will prevail, certainly, they
will be rejected. Among them may
20 counted the abolition Of the
Grand Jury. CIVIS.
ASSEMBLY PROCEEDINGS.
Wednesday, Feb'y %.