Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1876-02-02


II was fondly hoped That the ques-
ton Of the election of a United States |
Senator was settled, but no, the cleo
ton again agitates tho members, and
the discussion Of the validity Of last
Wednesdays election has occupied the
greater portion Of two afternoons. At
the time of the passage Of the rcsolu-
ton liking upon last Wednesday as
the day for the two Houses to meet in
Joint Convention. to hear the Jour
nails read in regard to this election,
some question arose as to whether or
not that day was the day intended by
the statute, but the question was hur-
ried over and the two Houses went
through the Formally Of clecting
United States Senator. The statute
provides that the two Houses shall
separately commence to ballot for
United States Senator on the second
Tuesday after the meeting and organ
ization of the General Assembly, and
the day after the two Houses shall
have separately elected. then the tYo
Houses shall meet in Joint Convcn-
ton and listen to the reading Of the
Journal on that subject, and if both
the Senate and House have agreed
upon the same man for the Office. then
he shall be declared duly elected. The
question was whether last Tuesday
was the second Tuesday after the or
ganization, as permanent organiza-
ton was not effected until the after
noon Of the first Tuesday. Both the
Senate and House have passed a joint
resolution declaring the former cleo
ton not sufficiently legal, and agree
ing to a Joint Convention tO-mor-
row. The discussion Of the question
| was a splendid opportunity for the
members to air their legal lore. and
many awaited themselves of it.
The Office of Superintendent of
/ opposition. and bill has been intro
duced abolishing it entirely; another
has been introduced making the sala-
ry so small as to virtually amount to
the same thing. Whether either bill
will pass Is question that cannot be
answered at present.
No bills have yet been introduced
to very materially change the granger
railroad law and as the majority
of bills to be presented have already
been introduced, it seem that the law
now in operation will still continue
in effect without much change.
i SENATE.
u Almost the entire session to-day
was occupied in the discussion Of the
resolution in regard to the election OF
La u. S. Senator.
i Petitions were introduced for law
i protecting fish and game and to for
bid railroads from discriminating IN
favor Of any person in prices for use
Of cars. thus forbidding any person
the monopoly Of any particular trade
4 Senator Mitchell introduced bill
providing for State Board of Health
The bill provides for the appointment
Of seven members by the Governor
by and with the advice and consen
Of the Speaker Of the House ani
President of the Senate. The bill
provides that this board shall collec
j statistics in regard to all matters per
tanning to health and hold scmi.an
n,,al meetings.
4 Senator Bailey introduced bill
amending the school laws by adding
civil government and drawing to TIL
list of studies required in our com
mon schools.
4 Senator WoOlson introduced a bill
providing. that in the probate of will
/, either party contesting the will cal
!. call for a jury to try the case.
Il Senator Arnold presented q join
resolution memOrializing Congress t
amend the act granting lands to tn
State Agricultural College so that tn
interest on funds derived from thi
1 source may be used in the erection 0
!. buildings. As the law now stands
this money can only be used to defra,
the current expenses Of the lnstitu
ton.
The committee on compensation o
public officers, reported back the bill
) increasing the salaries of Judges o
the District and Circuit Courts to $3.
600. with an amendment making til
/ salary $500.
Il On the election Of u. S. Senate
the vote stood: Kirkwood SO; p. S
Pinchback /: Bill Allen l Letter 4.
HOUSE.
The Judiciary Committee having
reported adversely on the bill TO per
| nit three. fnnrths Of a ilIrv to rnfn II