JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE TERRITORY OF IOWA, A Special Session begun and held at the City of Burlington, on Monday the 13th day of July in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty, by virtue of an act of the Legislative Assembly entitled "An act to provide for an extra Session of the Legislative Assembly." At 12 o'clock, M. the House was called to order by the chief clerk, and the roll being called, the following named gentlemen appeared and took their seats, viz: From the County of Lee-Edward Johnston, Alfred Rich, Joshua Owen, and William Patterson. From the County of Des Moines-William R. Ross, Shepherd Leffler, L. N. English, Isaac Fleenor, and Joseph C. Hawkins. From the County of Van Buren-Gideon S. Bailey, Uriah Biggs, and James Hall. From the Counties of Henry and Jefferson-William G. Coop and John B. Lash. From the Counties of Louisa and Washington-Daniel Brewer and Jacob Mintun. From the Counties of Muscatine and Johnson-Timothy T. Clark. From the Counties of Scott and Clinton-Laurel Summers and Joseph M. Robertson. From the County of Jackson-Thomas Cox. From the Counties of DuBuque, Clayton, &c.-Edward Langworthy, Loring Wheeler, and James Churchman. From the Counties of Cedar, Jones, and Linn-Geo. H. Walworth. A quorum, consisting of a majority of the whole number of members of the House being present, it was ordered that Thomas Cox be appointed Speaker pro tempore. On motion of Mr. Summers, Ordered, That the House adjourn, until 10 o'clock, to-morrow morning. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Another member appeared and took his seat, viz: from the counties of Henry and Jefferson, Jacob L. Myers. On motion of Mr. Summers, Ordered, That the House do now proceed to the election of Speaker. Messrs. Wheeler and Fleenor, were appointed tellers. Mr. Patterson nominated Edward Johnston. Upon counting the ballots, it appeared that Edward Johnston received eleven votes, Daniel Brewer received one vote, Alfred Rich received one vote, blank one vote. There being no choice, the House proceeded to ballot a second time, when it appeared that Edward Johnston had received twelve votes, James Churchman received four votes, Thomas Cox received four votes, James Hall received three votes, William Patterson received one vote. And blank one vote. There being no choice, the House proceeded to ballot a third time, when it appeared that Edward Johnston received thirteen votes, James Hall received five votes, Thomas Cox received three votes, James Churchman two votes, William Patterson received one vote, G. S. Bailey one vote. Mr. Johnston, having received a majority of the votes of the members present, was thereupon declared duly elected Speaker. Messrs. Bailey and Summers conducted the Speaker to the chair when he addressed the House as follows: Gentlemen:-You have my sincere thanks for this second manifestation of your kindness for me. It is adding another proof that I have not endeavored in vain heretofore to perform the duties of the station to which you have called me. Although the present session will be brief, yet the principal object for which we have met is of the highest importance, and will demand our unremitted attention. The apportionment of representation is at all times an arduous and deliberate task, and will require the utmost care that the several sections of the Territory should not be enabled to wield an undue influence in the Legislative Assembly. I feel assured that you will apply yourselves diligently to the discharge of this difficult duty and perform it without the slightest interruption of that good feeling and harmony which has formerly prevailed amongst you. To this conclusion I am induced when I reflect that your conduct as Legislators heretofore is an earnest of what it will be in future. Mr. Hawkins offered the following: Resolved, That this House will organize for the present session by electing one clerk, who shall discharge the duties of enrolling and engrossing clerk, and one doorkeeper, who shall serve as Sergeant-at-Arms; Which was lost. On motion of Mr. English, Resolved, That this House will organize for the present session by electing the same number of officers that were elected at the previous session, except the fireman. On motion of Mr. Robertson; Ordered, that the House do now proceed to the election of assistant clerk. Mr. Summers nominated Samuel R. Murray. Messrs. Robertson and Hawkins were appointed tellers: upon counting the ballots, it appeared that Samuel R. Murray received twenty-four votes, and was thereupon declared duly elected assistant clerk. On motion of Mr. Brewer, Ordered, That the House do now proceed to the election of recording clerk. Mr. Mintun nominated Jacob S. Rinearson. Messrs. Brewer and Hall were appointed tellers; upon counting the ballots it appeared that, Jacob S. Rinearson received twenty-three votes, blank two votes. Mr. Rinearson was declared duly elected recording clerk. The House proceeded to the election of engrossing clerk. Mr. Myers nominated John P. Grantham. Mr. Leffler nominated Benjamin Tucker. Messrs. Myers and Leffler were appointed tellers. Upon counting the ballots, it appeared that John P. Grantham received sixteen votes, Benj. Tucker received four votes, Bayless one vote; and blank four. John P. Grantham, having received a majority of the votes of the members present, was declared duly elected engrossing clerk. A Message from the Council by Mr. Wallace, their Secretary: Mr. Speaker: I am instructed to inform the House that the Council have appointed Messrs. Brown and Hepner a committee on the part of the Council to act with a similar committee appointed on the part of the House, to wait upon his excellency the Governor and inform him that the Legislative Assembly is now in session and ready to receive any communication which he may see proper to submit. And then he withdrew. |