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Tuesday,]

HALL-CLARKE.

[January 20th.

strangers is as high there as it is here. All that is a matter of no great concern, it is true. It is a matter of taste and choice and feeling; members feel that they would be more pleasantly situated there than here. I would prefer to go there, and will go there if the Convention will let me. But I can stay at either place. I have no doubt that many gentlemen have places here with which they are satisfied. I am glad to hear that such is the case. But I believe they can get as good places in Davenport as they can get here, and they would lose nothing by the journey.

boarding houses for themselves, and we were afraid that in place of accommodating them by doing this, we might give offence to them. And so far as getting a hall in readiness for the Convention was concerned, it was anticipated that the Legislature would have been adjourned at the end of the fifty days from their first assembling, and be out of the way. I think all these circumstances afford an ample excuse for the conduct of the people of this city. I am aware that stories are rife of impositions upon the members of the Legislature, but those same impositions are practiced upon us also. We had occasion to send a messenger some distance Mr. CLARKE, of Henry. Having voted upon from here, and the same exhorbitant charges the affirmative side of this question, it may perwere made upon the people of this town as are haps be well enough for me to explain that vote, said to be made upon the members of the Legis- My reasons for desiring to remove from this lature. Gentlemen can but see that it is the place are different from those given by the gen same with us as with every other community;tleman from Des Moines, (Mr. Hall.) As to the there are persons who will always take advantage of circumstances; that needs no argument,

for it is too evident.

4

I trust the convention will consult their own convenience and dignity in this matter. As was well remarked by the gentleman from Washington, (Mr. Bunker,) the first question for us to consider is, what is best for the public service. However fine a hall you may find in Davenport, you will find no such convenient committee rooms as we can have here. And if the hall we now occupy is not sufficiently convenient, there can be one furnished for our use. I am told that the Odd Fellows Hall, which is a fine one, and well furnished, can be at once obtained for

our use.

Mr. HALL. I desire to set the gentleman from Johnson (Mr. Clarke) right. I am glad to hear, for the first time in my life, that the people of Iowa City are distinguished for their hospitality. I did not say they were niggardly. That word is one the gentleman himself used. I do not ordinarily use such expressions. But I say this-and I do not say it more about Iowa City than all other places that are seats of government-a man must be crazy, or nearly so, if he expects the same kind of civility, and civilization, too, if I may be allowed the expression, in a seat of government as in other places. It has happened to be my good or bad fortune to spend two or three months a year in this city since the organization of the State Government-perhaps for one or two years it was not quite so much and I think I have some right to speak upon this matter. And I do know that I got less accommodation, and less of everything, for the amount of money paid, than in any other place in the State of Iowa. This is no slander upon the citizens of this city, but the necessary result of the fact that they have had these public gatherings here, the sittings of the Legislature, and meetings of Conventions, until they begin to look upon those bodies for their support and money making. Every man who has observed it, knows and feels the difference between this city and other places. I do not believe board is as high at Davenport as it is here. I do not believe the ordinary expenses of travelers and

hospitality of the citizens of Iowa City, my experience has been such as to enable me fully to endorse the remarks of the gentleman from Johnson, (Mr. Clarke.) I do not think there is a very general feeling in this body adverse to the hospitality of the people of this city. I I think the reasons governing members of this Convention in desiring to remove from Iowa City are other than those caused by a want of hospitality. It is true there have been some difficulties in getting accommodations for boarding here. But besides that, we are assembled in a hall but inadequately adapted to the purpose. No other provision was made, as it was anticipated that the Legislature would adjourn. But such is not the case. We find ourselves

hanging on from day to day, and we do not know when the Legislature will adjourn.

The

When the proposition was first intimated to me of an invitation, from Davenport, I understood it in the enlarged sense mentioned by the But gentleman from Warren (Mr, Todhunter.) my views have not been changed by learning that the proposition is a very different one. mere matter of a board bill has nothing to do with my determination in this matter. I have no particular feelings to gratify upon this subject, and nothinb of that kind influences my vote upon this question. I think that perhaps if we should go down to Davenport we might relieve the citizens of Iowa City, who have had such an influx of strangers attending the Legislature. and the several Conventions here. Perhaps, also, we could not only get better accommodations for ourselves, individually, in Davenport, but also better accommodations for the discharge of our public duties, which would enable us to dispatch our business sooner than we will be able to do here. If we go to Davenport, in all probability, we will get through our business by the time the Legislature will adjourn. I shall therefore vote in favor of going to Davenport if we can go immediately. But if we have to send a Committee there to inquire what can be done, we had better decide at once to remain here, and go ahead with our business. It is only for the purpose of enabling us to do up our business

Tuesday,]

WARREN-TRAER-ELLS-AYRES-CLARKE--PATTERSON.

[January 20th.

promptly, that I am in favor of adjourning from bed and a fire to myself, with a plenty to eat this place to Davenport. and cheap enough, too. The gentleman from Mr. WARREN. Our Legislature is still in Davenport, (Mr. Ells) says that he understands session, and there is yet a great deal of business | the people of Davenport are fixing up a hall for before them. I am told by members from my county that the Legislature is hurrying through, and neglecting their business in order to leave and give their room to this Convention. Now I am not myself disposed to hurry them. I think if we were to leave here, the Legislature would then go on and complete the business before them in a proper manner, but if we remain here they may in their hurry leave much of their business undone. That is one reason why I am in favor of going away from here.

Mr. ELLS. I would say here, that if we conclude to go to Davenport we will not be delayed at all in our business, as I understand a hall is now being prepared for the meetings of this body.

Mr. TRAER. I desire to ask the gentleman from Davenport (Mr. Ells) what is the cost of living in his city? Much has been said here about exhorbitant prices we are obliged to pay here. Now if we go to Davenport without having some previous arrangement made, we may possibly find some little exhorbitance practiced there. I can live tolerably well for a dollar and a half a day. I have talked with some gentlemen and they say that the cost of living in Davenport is two dollars a day, so that we shall make nothing in that respect by going there. But that is a small matter.

There has been considerable said about the hospitality of Iowa City. I have not been here very much, but so far as my experience goes I have had no reason to complain at all. I was here last winter at a Railroad Convention, and I thought there was about as much hospitality shown here then as I have seen anywere.

our accommodation, and the gentleman from Johnson (Mr. Clarke) tells us that one is being fitted up here. Now, we have good committee rooms here-better than can be obtained in Davenport-and I can see no good reason why we should go to Davenport. And, as the gentleman from Warren (Mr. Todhunter) remarks, we have several fat members here, and we may be thrown off the track, or something of the kind, and injure them very much. [Laughter.] I sball vote against the adoption of this report.

Mr. AYRES. I have been listening attentively to this discussion, as, before it arose, I did not myself feel properly prepared to give my vote upon this question; but after listening to all that has been presented, I can see but very little difference in the accommodations of either place in question. The friends of each presents the claims of his own city in the most favorable light, and the claims of the other in the most unfavorable light. Hence, I draw the conclusion that they are all unparallelled, either one way or the other. [Laughter.] As to the question of eating and drinking, that is but a small matter to me. I get a plenty to eat and drink here, and a comfortable bed to sleep on. But one difficulty suggests itself to my mind. Suppose that we determine to remove from this place, and the

Convention or some of its committees should want some of the pubic documents for reference, or something else to be supplied by the State Department here? we will have to dispatch a messenger here merely to bring them from here, which can only be done after considerable delay. I do not know that such an exigency may arise, but it may. For that, and other considerations, I shall vote against the adoption of this report, Mr ELLS. I wish to state that I will guar

Now I am willing to adjourn to Davenport or to Dubuque if I can be shown any good reason as it is now amended. for doing so. But I insist upon the idea that if we conclude to go, we should send a Committee'antee to every member of the Convention that there to see what accommodations we can be he shall have a good room, fire, lights and every assured of there. accommodation for a dollar a day.

Mr. CLARKE, of Johnson. At private houses

The PRESIDENT. The Chair would say that the report is indefinite at present, and does not or hotels? say where we shall go. It merely declares that¦ it is expedient to accept one of the invitations extended to us.

Mr. TRAER. Then I would suggest that we might perhaps as well insert the name of Chicago. (laughter) If we are to go anywhere for the sake of good accommodations, I have no doubt we can get them at Chicago.

Mr. ELLS. At the best hotels in the city.
Mr. CLARKE. At the Le Claire House?
Mr. ELLS. Certainly.

Mr. CLARKE. Then, if the Convention decides to go to Davenport, I wish the gentleman would engage me a room at that hotel at that price.

Mr. PATTERSON. It does seem to m that Mr. GOWER. I have been in the habit of this city is so crowded at this time, that howevvisiting Iowa City for some fifteen years er much the people here may be disposed to acpast, and fared very well, except the first night commodate us, it is utterly out of their power of the first Legislature here. I stopped at the to do so. Now, I have nothing to say against American Hotel then, and had rather a hard the people here. I have many friends among time, I will confess. But since then, I have them. But it does seem to me that it would found good accommodations here. I have stop- expedite business if we were to remove to some ped in Burlington, in Davenport and in Dubuque, other place. That is what will induce me to and I must say that I have got the worth of my vote for an adjournment to some other place. money as fully in this city as in any other. So And, as my friend from Jackson (Mr. Warren) far from sleeping, three in a bed, or anything remarked, if we go away from this city, the of that sort since I have heen here, I have had a Legislature may get along with their work a

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Tuesday.]

CLARKE-HARRIS-SKIFF-PARVIN-CLARKE-HALL-PATTERSON.

[January 20th.

little more cautiously than they are now doing, in Dubuque than in any other city in the State in their efforts to hurry through in order to give of Iowa. There are more rooms in the hotels us their rooms. and more hotels, and probably as well kept-I Mr. CLARKE, of Alamakee, moved to amend will not say better kept-than in other places the report so as to read "it is expedient to ac-in Iowa. There would, therefore, be no difficulcept the invitation from the city of Dubuque." ty in obtaining hotel accommodations. So far Mr. HARRIS I hope the gentleman from as the price is concerned-which is no small Alamakee (Mr. Clark) will withdraw his amend-item with us. I suppose gentlemen will acknowlment until we shall have decided whether we will adjourn from this place or not. If it is pressed now I shall be compelled to vote against

it.

Mr. SKIFF moved to lay the amendment upon the table. I

The question being taken, upon a division, the motion to lay on the table was agreed toayes 20; noes not counted.

The question recurred upon the adoption of the report as amended.

Mr. PARVIN moved that a committee of two be appointed to visit Dubuque and Davenport to ascertain and report the accommodations. Mr. CLARKE, of Henry, moved to strike out the word "Dubuque."

Mr. HALL. I would ask whether gentlemen cannot take the word of members here as to the accommodations at those two places?

edge that we have advantages there that are not to be had in any other portion of the State. Therefore as regards these two items, proper hotel facilities, good eating and sleeping-and if you should want a little good drinking you can get that, too, (laughter)-they can be obtained in Dubuque as well, I will not say better, as in Davenport, I have been in Davenport a few times and must say I was very well entertained there.

Then so far as libraries are concerned, I suppose ours are not excelled by auy in the State. I am told by members of the Bar, there, that that are equal to the public library here-so far there are probably some three libraries there tion would be likely to require. Now what the as regards that class of books that this Convenpeople of Dubuque will do for you, how many bills they will pay for you, or what they will say if we cannot believe gentlemen who are here, your bills shall amount to per week, or for any we cannot appoint a committee who will be en-board at our first class hotels-and I would other time I do not know I think the price of titled to more credit. The PRESIDENT. The chair would suggest have you understand that we have no others that it would be better first to decide whether there-is about two dollars a day for day boardthe Convention will remove at all, before the ers. I should imagine that as our session will gentleman submits his motion for a committee be likely to last-I hope not more than two or to visit the two places. three weeks, but I fear at least five or six weeks

Mr. PATTERSON. It does seem to me that

Mr. PARVIN. I will withdraw the motion. the great probability is that they would be Mr. CLARK, of Henry. I move, as a substi-ready to put board down to about ten dollars a tute, that it is expedient to accept the invitation week, which is about as low as they can afford from Davenport. it. I think they could not put it lower than Mr. EMERSON. I move to amend the sub-that and do justice to themselves, and it is a stitute by striking out "Davenport" and insert- first law of na ure that justice and charity being Dubuque." Occupying the position I do, gn at home. I am satisfied they would put it in relation to this matter, being a citizen of Dudown to the lowest figure. buque, I did not feel called upon to enter at any length into this controversy, while Iowa City was one of the points in question, But as the committee has indicated a disposition in its amendment to the report to adjourn from Iowa City, I feel that it is now my duty to say a few words in favor of Dubuque; and I certainly shall not undertake to disparage Davenport, or any other place that may be mentioned. I certainly do not feel like disparaging Iowa City, and as I said before, I did not feel that it was my place to say anything until it was decided that we should leave Iowa City.

That much said, I wish to say a word about getting to Dubuque. I want that matter understood so that there may be no mistake about it. I have had no conference with the line of roads between here and Dubuque. I do not know positively what the fare will be between here and Dubuque, I believe somewhere between ten and twelve dollars. So far, however, as that is concerned I will say that I had a conversation this morning with several gentlemen from Dubuque, and they instructed me to say that as many of the members had their fare fixed to places beyond this eity to Davenport, so far as the expense of traveling is concerned between Davenport and Dubuque, going and coming, the expense will be theirs, not yours. You can judge therefore how much they want to see you That is all I believe that I shall attempt to say now. These are as near the facts as I can get at them. At least for one I shall endeavor to make them the facts, if an opportunity is afforded.

You have received a communication from the Mayor and Council of the city of Dubuque, and you know from that about what we propose. Now I know if you determine to adjourn from Iowa City, the citizens of Dubuque would be much pleased to have you come there. I do not know as they are more hospitable than the people of any other city in the State. But I suppose that the facts are that so far as hotel: Mr. WILSON. I think the better way to deaccommodations are concerned they are better cide this matter is to call the roll of members

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Tuesday,)

EMERSON-WILSON-PARVIN-CLARKE-HALL-HARRIS-GILLASPY. (January 20th.

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Mr. PARVIN. As the Convention has not yet fixed upon any place I will move to amend the motion by inserting the name of Iowa City as one of the places to be chosen from.

Mr. CLARKE, of Johnson If some of the members should vote for Dubuque, some for Davenport, and some for Iowa City, there might not be a majority for either of those places, and our vote would be useless.

The PRESIDENT. If the Convention decide upon taking the question as indicated by the gentleman from Jefferson (Mr. Wilson) it would be equivalent to going into an election with three candidates.

Mr. HALL. If we are serious in our action in this matter we have decided to leave Iowa City altogether, and now all we have to do is to decide to which place, Dubuque or Davenport we will go. And now to bring this matter all up again, I think would hardly be exactly right. It is gone on our record that we have determined to leave this city, and now let us proceed to decide which one of those invitations we have received we will accept. As we cannot accept both of the invitations let us accept one and proceed at once to designate which that shall

be.

Mr. WILSON. I think with the gentleman from Des Moines (Mr. Hall) that so far as a removal of our sittings is concerned, we have already decided upon leaving Iowa City. I voted against that proposition but I am willing now to choose between the two places named, and shall vote for going to Davenport. That place occupies a more central position than Dubuque. So far as law libraries are concerned, I understand there are as good in Davenport as are found in the State. The library of Judge Grant is said to be as good as any other in all Iowa. And the advantages in other respects would be as good in Davenport as in Dubuque; and for other reasons I shall vote for Davenport. I think we have already determined to go away from this place and it would be but doing the work over again to vote upon the Iowa City proposition.

Mr. HARRIS. It is an old maxim that "it is never too late to do good." If we haved decided to go away we can decide to come back again. I was one of those who voted to remain in Iowa City. Now if we take the vote as proposed we will be voting for different candidates, and if Iowa City receives a majority of the votes then it will prove that some were a little hasty in voting for going away, and I am for giving them an opportunity to correct that vote.

From the remarks made here it would appear as if it was supposed we must accept one of the invitations tendered us if we would act like gentlemen. Now I do not think so. 1 do not think we have yet incurred any obligations, and I am told by those who are better fitted to judge than

I am, that from the severity of the winds to day the railroad to Davenport is in such a condition that we cannot possibly get either to Davenport or Dubuque for a week to come. The road is filled full of snow, and we could not get away if we were to try.

Mr. EMERSON. As the gentleman from Muscatine (Mr. Parvin) by his amendment will defeat the object I had in view in withdrawing my motion, I must insist upon my motion.

The PRESIDENT. The gentleman from Henry (M. Henry) moved as a substitute, for the report of the committee, as amended by the Convention, that it is expedient to accept the invitation of the city of Davenport. The gentleman from Dubuque (Mr. Emerson) moved to strike out the word "Davenport." and insert the word "Dubuque." The question is upon the amendment of the amendment.

Mr. GILLASPY. I think it is necessary that I should define my position also. I have voted all the time for a removal from this place, and I wish to give my reasons for that vote. I am satisfied that while some gentlemen may have very comfortable quarters here, others have not. I come here on Sunday afternoon, and was told I could have a place at the hotel where I applied if I would sleep in the parlor upon a cot. I hunted around until about nine o'clock and made out to find a cold room with one wash bowl and one towel for two persons. That is the best I could do. I do not make complaints of the people of Iowa City, for I believe this is tho best they could do with all the members of the legislature, the lobby members and the conventions here.

Now I am for going away and going to the nearest point. I repudiate all idea of being influenced by my board bill and everything of that kind. That consideration alone would not induce me to go a rod. I am willing to pay three, five, seven, ten, twelve or fifteen dollars a week if it is necessary. But I want to go somewhere where we can be comfortably accommodated. I repudiate the idea of gentlemen coming here and offering to board us for nothing. And board at seven dollars a week at Davenport would not induce me to go there. I think such a thing as that is all wrong-not wrong in the gentleman for it was drawn from him by questions-but wrong to let it influence us in any way.

Now if we could get the Hall of the Senate or of the House of Representatives I would not be willing to go away from here. But I heard them discussing the question of adjournment to-day and they could not agree even upon adjourning on the 26th of this month. There is no telling when we can get either of the halls, and I am in favor of going where we can be suitably accommodated.

Mr. EDWARDS. I do not care a fig whether we go away from this city or remain here. But it has been intimated here that if we decide to go away from here, we ought to go this evening or to-morrow morning, and if we decide upon that we will meet with difficulty upon the rail

Tuesday]

CLARKE-WILSON-TRAER-PATTERSON.

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[For resolution see report of this morning's proceedings.]

Mr. TRAER moved to strike out all after the word "Resolved," and insert as a substitute the following:

That the following shall be the number and character of the Standing Committees of this Convention:

1st. A Committee of five members upon the preamble and bill of rights.

2d. A committee of three upon the right of suffrage and distribution of powers.

Sd. A committee of seven upon the legislative department.

4th. A committee of three upon the executive department.

5th. A committee of five upon the judicial department.

6th. A committee of three upon the militia and military affairs.

7th. A committee of five upon state debts. 8th. A committee of five upon incorporations and banking.

9th. A committee of five upon education and

the school lands.

10th. A committee of three upon amendments to the Constitution.

11th. A committee of three upon miscellaneous subjects.

Mr. CLARKE, of Henry. I offer the following as a substitute for the resolution:

[January 20th.

"Resolved, that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to report the number and character of the standing committees of this convention.

Mr. PATTERSON. I desire to say but few words in regard to the programme of our business. The act of the legislature under which this Convention is held, provided for the amendment and revision of the present Constitution of the State of Iowa. I do not think it necessary for this Convention to do more at present than to refer the different articles of the present Constitution to as many appropriate committees, commencing with the preamble and bill of rights, then the right of suffrage and distribution of powers, the executive department, &c.-I see no particular necessity for the motion of my friend from Henry. [Mr. Clarke.] My objeetion to the resolution of the gentleman from Jefferson [Mr. Wilson] is that it provides committees for a number of subjects that I do not find in the Constitution. I think all that is necessary is to refer the several articles there to their appropriate committees.

Mr. WILSON. The gentleman from Lee [Mr. Patterson] is right in saying that the number of committees provided for in my resolution is more than there are articles of the Constitution. But I provide for no committee to which there will not certainly go some business of the Convention. I provide for a committes on incorporations other than incorporations for banking; and another committee on banking and currency. I did that because I considered that the question of banking in this State was one of the controlling, if not the controlling reason for calling this Convention, and I tho't it would be highly proper to have a committee especially upon that subject. Besides that my division of the committees covers nothing but what may be found in the present Constitution. I deemed it advisable to divide the committees in such a way that each one might have something particular to attend to, and thus divide off

the labor.

Mr. CLARKE, of Henry. My own views concur with those of the gentleman from Lee. [Mr. Patterson] I think his proposition for

the division of the committees is the most na

tural and simple one; that is, to have our committees based upon the Constitution we are called upon to amend, and let each separate article be referred to its appropriate committee. But knowing that others entertained a different view I was willing to have the subject of standing committees referred to a committee to report to this body the number and character of our committees. We have two propositions submitted to us, and the gentleman from Lee [Mr. Patterson] has suggested still an other plan. Let them all be referred to a committee and something may be prepared that will meet the views of all.

Mr. PARVIN. I had prepared a resolution which I had intended to offer, precisely agreeing with the views of the gentleman from Lee.[Mr. Patterson.] But when the gentleman from Jefferson Mr. Wilson] introduced his

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