Ottumwa semi-weekly courier., 1902-11-25

Mr. Dodge, who had before advised
the people to abide by the boundaries
laid down by congress, took note OF
the sentiments OF the people he rep
resented and thereafter stood firm for
the Lucas boundary. He was influen-
tial in securing the aid of Senator Ste
phen A. Douglas, chairman of the COM
mittee on territories who introduced a
bill proposing the parallel of 43 de-
grees, 80 minutes as the northern
boundary This was to some extent
a compromise, and on December 2S,
1S46. President Polk signed the bill
for the admission of the state into the
Union. with the boundaries defined &C
cording to the wishes of a majority of
the people.
The constitution of 1916 survived |
about ten years. but the people were
not entirely satisfied and determined
to correct the errors OF 1S46. Agita-
ton began In 1S47 and in 1S4S it was
to some extent an issue between the |
political parties; the wings as rule,
advocated new convention. Inc
state was flooded with deprecated pa
per currency and the constitution re-
CURED amendment ON the subjects OF
banks and other corporations. Finally
an act was passed. Jan. "a, 1860, and
approved by Governor Grimes and ac-
cording to this act the polls We're op-
.ened, in August following resulting IN
a majority of 1S,62S for revision. In
November, 1856. thirty-six delegates
We're elected to the convention OF 1921
which met at Iowa City. on January IL,
1857, of whom 81 were republicans anu
fifteen democrats After a session OF
thirty-nine days the convention ad-
iourned. The new constitution was
submitted to the people for ratltcation
at the regular annual election whlch
was held on Monday, August 3, lSol.
1t was adopted by o majority OF l,eSl
votes, and on September 3, 1881, Gov
ernor Grimes declared the New con.
stitution' to be 1.-The supreme law OF
the state of Iowa.
The new constitution empowered the
general assembly to establish STATE
bank and branches, which gave the
people a stable currency. There was
special clause giving the right OF SUI
| frase to negroes, but it was defeated.
| The testimony of negroes in the
! courts. however, was admitted. The
same constitution provided for the re-
moval OF the seat of government 10
Des Moines, which was to be a per-
manent location The State univer-
| sity was also permanently located at
Iowa City.
These are the facts embodied IN
Professor Shambaughs excellent ms
| torical essay, which should be maze
one of the text books OF the iowa
schools in the higher grades OF schol'
arship, related with charming sim
pilcity of language and strict fidelity
! to essential details. 1t is at once a his
tory and gives also truthful portrait
i ure of the character of Iowa citizen
ship, as it has existed from the earli
:. est days to the present. 1t shows the
sturdy independence of the men wht
began at the foundation in building
;, commonwealth, who would not res
content until they had secured con
; stitution that expressed their highes
ideals of government.
: The other volumes alluded to in th
) beginning of this article are valuable
as mart of the history of Iowa legisla
l ton which would not have been pre-
served had it not been for the Thought
. ful care of Mr. Aldrich. The journa
of the special session of the territol
> ial legislature shows that the councl
J met July 13, 1910. The following
, counties were represented in the cour
3 ell:
Scott and Clinton, represented b
: Jonathan w. Parker.
4 Counties of Dubuque and Jackson
!, by Stephen Herpstead and Warre
e Lewis
y Muscatine and Louisa, by James n
/ Clark
;. Des Moines, by Arthur Ingraham an
S George G. Hepner.
y Lee, by Jesse B. Browne.
e Cedar, Jones, Johnson and Lynn, b
6 Charles Whittlesey.
Henry and Jefferson, by l..
II Hughes and Jesse d. Payne.
J. Van Buren, by j. Keith and E. !
if M. Swazey.
If Clark was elected president of tt
i council. Governor Lucas delivered h
message and 500 copies were ordert
n printed.
= = The house convened on the san
~ day Edward Johnson of Lee, W;
"a elected speaker.
4. There was squabble the first d'
. over a resolution to give 20 copies
70 the Gazette and Hawk-Eye to ea'
member.
The members voted themselves Il
~ " ter stamps, penknives, folders, sal
ee boxes, waters, tape and enyelop pap'
40 Whitelsy, of the council, introduce
~ a bill to abolish imprisonment I
~ debt, which passed both houses.
- - The legislature adjourned August
40 10 1S4O.
TO Among the laws enacted at t
VI same session was one to establish
seminary of learning at Parkhur
he Scott county Grocery license was ;
u u thorized at rate not exceeding 81
~. N nor less than $50. To sell liqr
us m without license subjected the offend
~ . to fine of not to exceed $l00 nor Il
ne than $50. A grocery in these da
iu meant saloon for the sale of liquo
VI Per ccntra, there was law enact
81 for the destruction Of wolves, Jur'
.ns in trials before justice of the pc;
ass were allowed so cents per day or
cents for a half day. There We're q
Ire pie provisions made for the poor.
ION At that early day Iowa people w
al, >,I