New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-07
IHEe IONA LEGISLATURE.

THE CONTEST OVER THE sPEAKERsHIP or TIE
HoUsE-rHUMPH or THE ANTI-M0N0PolrsTs--
IMPORTANT MEASURES BEFORE THE LEGIsLA-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TO BE HADl INTO CIR
TAIN sCAEDALs-THB SALARY OF MEMBERS.
tFRos An oCCAhIoSkL CORRESPONDENT or THE rRIBUFEj
Dies MONIES, Jan. 27.-Never in the political
history OF Iowa has there been contest like the oneust
ended in the House Of Representatives. Never has
political party sprung into power formidable IN It's
proportions obstinate and determined In its purpose
based solely local issues short time az that
which was arrsyed against the Republicans during the
for the Speakership OF the House. The eoooo
majority which given for Gov. Carpenter, tho Re
publican candidate for Governor two years ago, was
last FAN cut down 10 >ess than 1900 Several
may be assigned for this The public funds had
been embezzled by the State Treasurer and former
Governor and satisfactory settlement was ever
made 10 these Transactions Tho people we're bur
dened with the impositons put upon them by railroad
corporations and they appealed 70 two successive
Republican Legislatures for relief. But money was
more potent than tho demands Of JUSTICE and
the people got nothing. The agriculturtsts then
began TO organize for self-protecton, aud oranges
OF Patrons formed all over the State They soon
became strong enough 10 dictate terms, no, only TO
manufacturing rings but 10 politicians. Last Fall they
sent delegates State conventions and organized the
Anti Monopoly party. It the subject OF jeers ana
ridcue By the dominant party press and politicians
but when the Legislature convened 10 was found they
had foe in the field worthy OF their steel One humid
red fortyone ballots for Speaker OF the House was
not sufficient break their solid column Capituaton
was invoked, and compromise effected. The
contest was a party test. purely and strictly.
The Anti MOnopolists declared over and over they
would vote al Winter, but change vote never the Re
pubcans should not organize the House party issues
The COMPROMISE gave the Republicans the Speaker,
the Chairman OF Standing Committees, and an equal
re presen tatOn all committees. The AntEMonopo-
lists obtained the remaining officers OF the House, the
Chairman and majority OF members on all the investi'
eating committees OF the 100 members OF the House 70
are farmers or Grangers The House therefore will be
the conservative body through which no fat jobs OF
pet schemes will be likely 70 pass.
The most important measures which will demand at
tenon are something for tho cbeapenng OF frelghts
the passage OF strict laws 10 enforce the commoncarer
liabilities OF the large railroad corporations, and the
complete revision OF tho insurance and banking laws
That these will all fully attended TO- there is no ques
ton The railroad tariff questona subject OF discus
sion during two sessions-whch was defeated by the
lobby influence OF railroad corporations, VIII be settled al
the present session The second bill presented was one
directly this subject and in substance the same
which was before the two preceding sessions. This or
similar bin, twin probably be passed. The railroad
companies seeing the temper OF the people, will not OPP
pose IT, and it would be of benefit to them IL they did
Several matters of importance also demand investga-
ton The Last State Treasurer embezsled the funds OF
the State make good his de!alcatons TO the funds OF
the State Agricultural College, OF which he was also
Treasurer. An attempt was made TO compromise the
matter but nothing has been done which satisfies the
public mind. Daring the administration OF Gov Stone,
state funds we're taken TO the amount OF te.c0o or
10000 That Official charged 10 his private secretary,
and Secretary he did It the order OF the
Governor. The matter once investigated, but the
only fact announced proved was that the money did
not go into the hands OF the Governor bus dd go INTO
certain real estate specuatioDs The Antihonop0ISS
I'm House purpose 10 ascertain by whose authority II
was used also why tho defaultng State Treasurer
Mr. Rankin not brought 20 speedy punishment aad
his property cOnscaed 10 redress the wrong zone INC
Another matter be inquired into win be the larceny
Of certain bill which passed both Houses but when
never reached the proper officers for ther signature
BY reason OF this larceny State warrants went 70 pro-
test members of the Legislature had 70 borrow money
Ia nav their board bills and the State had TO pay thou
sands OF dollars in interest on Endorsed warrants. IL
happened in this way The Legislature made enormous
AUTHORIZATIONS for various purposes far beyond the
limit OF estimated expenditures for the year Among
these was $4,000 for additional penitentiary To
guard against contingencies, bin was passed providing
that appropriations 10 State Institutions should De pald
m%nthiY or nuarerly based on estimated expenditures
for the month or quarter The bill after it, passage was
stolen and within two days after the Adjournment OF
the Legislature me money fSr TINS and
other sums, we're drawn from the treasury ana tent
10 banks per cent interest special committee
spponted by the has reported that economy
and good demand that WORK shall cease OH tue
new pententiary ana recommend that no more money
be expended It. Now the question Is, Who stole that
bin
The OF the Legislature Will be short one, and
notwithstanding the two weeks spent In ORGANIZING IL Is
believed that II will not be extended beyond the usual
term. The salary OF the members is $500 session.
Sithout perqulsites-not even common steel pen or
lead pencil Ul 10 file 30 reduce The salary 10
$3.50 session, perquisites railroad passes TO be
allowed Two years ago members were furnished with
stationery postage stamps pocketSnives portfolios,
and even satcheis, dd 6tuBa and It 10 reported
AS fact that member paid his board-b with post
age stamps But the people have demanded a change,
and as Gov Carpenter said to-day In his inaugural ad
dress the man Will be tried ~ gold In the fire who
passes rigid RECKONING 70 which the people are now
holding those ID high place.