Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-01-23
IOWA LEGISLATURE.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.
DEs MONIES, Jan. 15, 1879

DEs MONIES, Jan. 10, 1873.
In accordance with the joint resolu-
ton of adjournment, passed April, ~,
the Fourteenth General Assembly met
! to day in session. at o'clock p. m.
Upon calling the Senate roll, twenty.
six Of the members were found in their
places and twenty -four absent. Near
| ly all the members of the House were
present.
Business in the Legislature began
and was prosecuted vigorously. Eigh-
teen bills were presented and referred
to their appropriate committees for
consideration, in the revision, amend
ment and codifcation of the statutes.
These bills related to the codification
Of the following subjects: Sovereign
ty of State and Legislative department ;
revenue; election Of officers; county,
town and city government; judiciary
department; militia; corporations ;
highways, ferries and bridges; inter
nal revenue; internal improvements ;
criminal procedure domesticrelation ;
trade and commerce; policy of the
State penitentiary and prison govern
ment; and rights ofproperty.
Ex-Treasurer Rankin sent In COM
munication to both Houses, informing
the Assembly Of the deficiency in his
settlement with the Agricultural Col
lege. His story is substantially as the
public now know it; heavy invest
ments in lands and other property,
when money was plenty; speculation
and losses, and the use Of the College
funds to meet his pressing liabilities
in hope ofa better turn of fortune the
sequel is well known. He asked that
an official investigation be instituted
to satisfy, as far as possible the people
Of Iowa, in regard to the exact manner
in which these funds had been spent.
Senator Shane offered;a set of resolu-
tions which were unanimously adopt
ed, to the effect that a committee of
five be appointed to Investigate the
matters and official acts of s. E. Rank
in, both as State Treasurer and Treas
urer of the Agricultural College, and
also the course taken by the Trustees
of that institution.
Senator Lowry also offered a resolu-
ton which was adopted with the same
unanimity, appointing committee TO
ascertain the amount of money appro-
priated by this Assembly to the va
rious State institutions, when drawn,
how used, etc.
In the House the consideration of
the Rankin affair was the only business
of importance transacted. A commu-
nication from the cx-Treasnrer was
read, similar to his letter to the Senate.
In response to it series of resolutions
by Mr.. Close w>-o adopted, making
several specific charges in regard to
to the alleged dcfalcation, and appoint
ing an investigating committee of five.
The affair, in both houses, is looked
upon with but little charity and will
receive rigorous examination.
The session is regarded as one of
great importance, and will evidently
occupy the entire period Of thirty days
specified in their resolution of ad-
journment. There seems to be but
little disposition on the part of the
members to open the session to gener-
al legislation.
Both Houses have inaugurated their
| sitting by going earnestly to work,
and the prospects are that the session
will be q good and prosperous one. I.
DEs MONIES, jan. II.
No business of much moment was
transacted in the Senate to-day, as bui
short forenoon session was held
s. F. No. /, 1,rciating to the sovereignty
and Jurisdiction Of the State, was TAX
en- up for consideration and passed
without any important changes. Du.
ring the progress of the bill spirited
and protracted discussion took place
relative to the pay of various clerks
and other officers OF the Legislature
with no other result than q considera.
BILE expenditure of rhetoric.
In the House, business has assumed
heavier proportions. Eleven bill,
were introduced, relating to the codi.
flcation amendment and revision oi
statutes relating to the sovereignty
aud jurisdiction of the State and Leg.
islative Department; revenue; cleo
tion of officers; county, town anG
city government; Judiciary depart
ment; militia; corporations; ferries
highways and bridges; internal i'm
proyements; revenue; and crimina
procedure.
| The consideration of bills was taker
mp in their regular order, as arranged
by the commissioners.
| House File No. l, was then acted mp
on with much the same result as hat
been reached in the Senate. The pa,
received by paper folders, clerks, SER
geant-at-arms, &C., received good
deal of attention,i, but was finall,
restored to it's original text af.er som,
trivial changes. Several other bill
passed, with but little change from th,
lexisting state of the code.
! A concurrent resolution passed boil
houses to the effect that the Hous,
take up title No. l, and consider tha
and each alternate one subsequent, tn,
Senate being occupied upon the inter
mediate one meanwhile. This wa
done to more thoroughly expedite bu
sincss. Under special order, the reso
luton appointing committee I.