Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-03-06
M!ta1nzzamzay.
IOWA LEGISLATURES.
SPECIAL csnRrsroNDENcE OF COURIER
SENATE.

DEs MONIES, Feb. 26, 1878.
Yesterday afternoon there was on
ly light attendance and but little
business was transacted, most Of the
Senators being afraid to have their
bills come up for danger of defeat
so most of the bills which came up
were passed on file and left to be con-
sidered at another time.
This morning there was full Sem
ate, only two being absent and al
though the day was given up to talk,
quite an amount Of business was
transacted. The bill conferring the
McGregor land grant upon the Chi
cago, Milwaukee & st. Paul road was
passed without opposition: 4S votes
being cast in its favor to none against
it.
Senator Morrell was excused from
serving on the committee to investi-
gate the management of the Ft. Mad
ison penitentiary. No appointment
has yet been made to fill the vacancy,
and 1t is not known or even surmised
who will be chosen.
The bill legalizing the incorpora-
ton Of the town Of Knoxville was
passed under suspension Of the
rules.
The joint resolution proposing to
amend the constitution by abolishing
the grand jury was taken up for con-
sideration. The resolution is as fol-
lows to insert the following as section
IL:
SECTION. All offenses less than fel-
ony, and in which the punishment
does not exceed q fine Of one hun.
dred dollars, or imprisonment for
thirty days, shall be tried sum-
marily before justice of the peace
or other officer authorized by law, on
information under oath, saving to the
defendant the right Of appeal; and
no person shall be held to answer for
any higher criminal offense unless
held to answer by . magistrate or
court authorized by law after an in
vestigation according to law; except
in cases arising in the army and navy
or in the militia when in actual SER
vice in time of war or public danger,
and all criminal prosecutions may be
conducted without presentment, in
dlctment, or the Intervention of a
grand jury.
Senator Teale, it's author, supported
it in speech of considerable len 9Th,
and was followed by Senators on the
same side with Senators Russell,
Haines, Miller, Merrell and Foster
on the other side.
While considering the question the
hour of adjournment arrived and the
Senate adjourned until tomorrow
morning.
HOUSE.
The morning session in the House
was largely occupied in discussing Q
II. F. q, bill to abolish circuit courts
and establish county courts, and de-
fine the powers and jurisdiction of
the same. There was a great variety
of opinions expressed and much de.
bate excited upon this question. The
bill is a very lengthy one, and sum-
mary of it would be too long for this
letter. There was no final disposal
made of it. Having come up under
q special order, it was liable to be
dropped at any moment in q summa-
ry manner, and it was. just few
minutes before IL M. motion was
made to take up the bill
giving the railroad grant of
lands at the disposal of the legis-
lature, to the Chicago, Milwaukee &
st. Paul Co. The bill had passed the
Senate a few minutes before, and
been delivered to the House. An eff
fort was made to stave it of by an ad-
journment, but to no avail. The bill
passed the House unanimously.
O'Donnell, of Dubuque, endeavor.
ed to get an expression of the House
upon the railroad tariff question by
offering resolution to the effect that
the present railroad tariff law remain
unchanged, and that the appointment
of board of commissioners is USE
less and inexpedient. The House re-
fused to consider the resolution. II
was a dodge to get an expression OF
the House on the question, and was
not entertained. 1t was referred.
Adjourned until $3.50 Wednesday
morning.