USA > Iowa > An illustrated history of the state of Iowa, being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875; > Part 24
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" Although we have filled four several requisitions of the presi- dent for troops, and organized four regiments and one battalion, during the last two years, yet the entire cost to the state will not exceed one thousand dollars. While I was anxious that our state should promptly discharge its entire duty in contributing to the national defense, in the way of furnishing men, I refused to defray the expense involved in recruiting and forwarding our quotas from the state treasury ; and accordingly the expenditures thus made were paid by disbursing officers assigned by the war department. The residue of the expenditure of these two years was incurred in organizing the state militia, under act of the general assembly, ap- proved March 26, 1865, transporting arms and ammunition, expense of the adjutant general's office, detail of men for protecting south- ern border counties from threatened raids in the fall of 1864 and the winter of 1865, and for all other military purposes except the sanitary department.
CROSSCUP & WEST-SC.PHIL A
Hon. G. C. R. Mitchel1.
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TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
We give in the following a somewhat lengthy extract from the governor's message in relation to Iowa's war claims against the United States. The history of these claims, and the difficulties in settling them, is a subject worthy the able treatment given it by the governor :
" I desire in this connection, as briefly as I can, to present the condition of our claims against the United States for reimburse- ment under the acts of congress above referred to. The sums embraced in these claims were mostly expended during the first and second years of the war from the war and defense fund, ap- propriated by act of the special session, May, 1861. The history of our military transactions during this period is too well known to the members of your honorable body to require explanation here. The evidence is perfectly clear that these claims are for money unavoidably expended for legitimate military purposes ; and also that they were allowed, audited and paid by the account- ing and disbursing officers of the state, in strict conformity with the laws of the general assembly. Upon this point there has never been any room for controversy, as the accounting officers of the United States treasury freely concede. But the real difficulty between us arises from the fact, that, after a large share of these claims had been paid by the state in the utmost good faith, the secretary of the United States treasury adopted a set of regula- tions exceedingly technical and unreasonable in their character, by which the accounting officers of that department were required to be governed in examining the military claims of the several states. In the biennial message of my predecessor, under whose administration these transactions occurred, this conflict is fully explained, as follows : ‘There is due this state, from the United States, for expenses incurred by the state in raising and equip- ping troops, and sending them to the field, and for other purposes growing out of the rebellion, the [estimated amount of $300,000. There is much difficulty in procuring an adjustment of this claim at Washington. When these moneys were expended by the state, there was no law of congress, or regulation of the federal government, prescribing the form in which proof of the expendi- ture should be taken ; and the general assembly of this state pro- vided, by law, for such proofs and vouchers as were deemed suf-
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IOWA IN THE WAR.
ficient, both for the protection of the state and the United States. Upon presentation of these proofs and vouchers to the proper de- partment at Washington, they are found not to comply, in form, with regulations since adopted by that department; and it is doubtful whether they will be allowed without some legislation by congress. Some portions of these expenditures, thus made, are also objected to as not coming within the letter of existing laws of the United States. Among these are the sums paid by the state for the subsistence and pay of the troops that went from this state to Missouri, at the request of the United States officers, under the command of Cols. Edwards and Morledge.'
" I fully concur in the opinion that the United States is under obligation to reimburse this state for money expended in defend- ing our frontiers from Indian depredations. The general govern- ment having assumed exclusive jurisdiction over the Indian tribes, and, being therefore responsible for their conduct, should willingly refund all money necessarily expended by this state in protecting its borders against their savage incursions. The claim for money expended in maintaining the northern border brigade rests upon this ground. The organization of the southern brigade was rendered necessary, in the opinion of the general assembly, to protect the border counties from the depredations of guerrilla bands existing in the adjacent state of Missouri. These expendi- tures, though constituting just claims against the United States, in the absence of any general law covering the case, will not probably be secured to us without further legislation by congress. This matter is respectfully referred to your consideration.
" In compliance with the provisions of chapter 61, acts of the last session, I visited Washington and found the military claims of the state in a very unsatisfactory condition. But little progress had been made in their examination, and, under the regulations above referred to, most of them were necessarily suspended as the examination advanced. I pointed out the gross hardship of these regulations to the secretary of the treasury, and repeatedly solic- ited their modification, so as to make them conform to the laws of this state, under which our claims were allowed and paid. Fail- ing in this, I presented the matter to the president, who readily perceived their injustice, and gave his opinion to the third audi-
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TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
tor of the treasury, that under the circumstances, they should not be rigorously applied in the examination of the Iowa claims. Although this opinion was freely expressed by the president, yet he declined to make any positive order for the modification of these rules, on the ground that the subject was within the peculiar province of the secretary of the treasury. Repeated efforts have been made by myself and others for a suspension or change of the regulations mentioned, so as to procure a favorable examina- tion of our claims, but so far the labor has been unavailing.
" On the first of October last, I was advised by the third audi- tor that the preliminary examination of the Iowa claims had been concluded, and a 'statement of differences' forwarded. From this statement, now in the executive office, it appears that the total amount of Iowa claims on file in the treasury depart- ment is about $616,739.07. Of this amount, $20,825.00 have been allowed ; $430,326.70 suspended, and $165,589.23 disal- lowed.
" All the money derived to the state treasury from the levy imposed by the act of January 31, 1862, has been absorbed in the redemption of warrants issued upon these war and defense claims, and was, therefore, a virtual payment of them out of funds belonging to the United States, being sufficient, as will be perceived, with the $100,000 advanced to the state, to more than cover the entire amount of our suspended demands against them.
" Under these circumstances, I have determined to hold these unadjusted claims as an offset to this direct tax, unless otherwise directed by the general assembly. This course I have considered necessary to protect the interests of the state from what I am constained to regard as exceedingly disingenuous conduct on the part of the treasury department towards us. By pursuing this course, but little detriment can result to the state from the sus- pension of our claims. But as a final adjustment is desirable for both parties, steps should be taken to procure it without unneces- sary delay; and I therefore recommend the appointment of a special committee to investigate the subject, and report a definite and practicable plan for securing a settlement."
With regard to finances within the state, the governor said :
333
IOWA IN THE WAR.
"Our financial affairs were never in a sounder condition. During the entire period of the war we have levied but two mills on the dollar for state purposes; and have incurred an indebtedness of only $300,000, which was for military expenditures duiring the first year of the war. The total amount received in the treasury during the fiscal two years ending November 4, 1865, was $977,- 825.10; and the amount expended for all purposes for the same period is $952,739.42, leaving a balance in the treasury of $25,- 087.68.
" The total amount of state revenue derivable from general levy at two mills, and other sources for the ensuing biennial period, excluding the estimated balance due from the United States government, may be calculated at $1,311,002.87.
" The total disbursements required for the same period for ordinary purposes, including payment of bonds ($200,000) due in 1868, may be estimated with approximate accuracy at $794,923.65, leaving a balance of $516,079.22 in favor of resources, from which to make such special appropriations as the general assembly shall deem expedient.
"The entire debt of the state is only $622,295,75, consisting of $122,295.75 loaned from the permanent school fund, November 12, 1864, loan of $200,000, payable January, 1868, and $300,000 war defense bonds.
"The amount loaned from the school fund is, practically, so much borrowed from ourselves, and is only a method resorted to for the permanent investment of that fund. The interest on this loan is due semi-annually ; but the principal is payable at the pleasure of the general assembly ; leaving only $500,000 as the actual indebtedness of the state. The $200,000 due January 1, 1868, may be promptly met from present resources. The re- maining $300,000 are not due until 1881.
" This record of economy and exemption from indebtedness is a subject of profound satisfaction to our people.
" The annual interest on the bonds of 1858 amounts to $14,000; and, to curtail this expenditure as far as possible, I recommend the passage of an act authorizing the state treasurer to redeem these bonds as he may be able to secure them, out of money in the treasury not required for other purposes."
334
TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
In closing his message he says : " The faithful services rendered during the late war by the troops from this state and their admira- ble conduct upon all occasions have furnished themes for abler pens than mine. Their fidelity and heroism have been often and appropriately acknowledged by the distinguished generals under whom they have served. It was their fortune to have borne a conspicuous part in all the renowned compaigns of the western divis- ion of the army, bravely participating in its bloodiest and most decisive engagements. When the history of this great conflict shall have been fully and impartially written, it will contain no brighter pages than those upon which the achievements of Iowa soldiers are recorded. A state which before the war was scarcely known except as a patch upon the map of the republic, to-day has a name calculated to excite becoming emotions in every manly and patriotic breast."
The population of Iowa, according to the census of 1863, was as follows :
Total number of whites,
700,842
Total number of blacks,
1,320
Total population, -
702,162
According to the census of 1865, the population of Iowa was then as follows :
Total number of whites,
751,125
Total number of blacks, -
3,607
Total population,
754,732
No report for 1865 from the populous county of Winneshiek had been furnished, and the return for 1863 being taken for this county, a heavy increase was thereby omitted in the above calcu- lation. The census of 1865 also having been taken in the early portion of the year, the spring and fall immigration was necessarily left out. In all probability there were now over 20,000 people, residents of Iowa, not included for these reasons in the above statement, which would give an actual population of about 775,- 000. It will be observed that the increase had been much greater during the last two years of the decade ending in 1865, than the former periods.
CHOSSCUP & WEST-SC.PHIL A.
Alex. McGregor.
336
TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
On the 10th day of January, 1866, the two houses met again in joint convention to canvass the votes for governor and lieuten- ant governor of the state and declare the result. When the can- vass was concluded, it appeared that the whole number of votes cast for governor was 124,869, of which William M. Stone re- ceived 70,445; Thomas H. Benton, 54,070; G. S. Bailey, 239 ; scattering, 115; and for the office of lieutenant governor the whole number of votes cast was 125,558, of which B. F. Gue, re- ceived 72,834; W. W. Hamilton, 52,308; L. W Babbit, 316; scattering, 130; whereupon the president announced that Wm. M. Stone was duly elected governor of the state for the term of two years from the second Monday in January, 1866; and B. F. Gue, duly elected lieutenant governor for the same period, they having a majority of all the votes cast at the election in October last. On the succeeding day the governor and lieutenant gov- ernor elect appeared before the general assembly in joint conven- tion, and after administration of the oath of office by the chief justice of the supreme court, the governor delivered his inaugural message, after which the convention dissolved.
On the 13th of January, the two houses again met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing United States senators ; 1st, for the full term, commencing March 4, 1867, and 2d, for the unexpired term made vacant by the resignation of Hon. James Harlan. The convention then proceeded to ballot for a senator for the short term. Hon. S. J. Kirkwood received 118 votes; W. Stoneman, 20 votes; 10 scattering, absent and not voting. The convention then proceeded to the election of a senator for the long term, when Hon. James Harlan received 118 votes; H. H. Tremble, 20 votes : absent and not voting, 8. Mr. Kirkwood was declared elected for the short term, and Mr. Harlan for the long term, six years from March 4, 1867.
The legislature adjourned on the 2d of April, after a session of twelve weeks. One of its first acts was to ratify the amendment to the constitution abolishing slavery. It also adopted several important series of resolutions relating to national affairs, sug- gested by the failure of congress and the president to agree upon a reconstruction policy. Of this class was a resolution instruct- ing the Iowa delegation in congress to use their best efforts to
337
IOWA IN THE WAR.
secure the passage of the Freedman's Bureau bill, over the presi- dent's veto. Another series of resolutions instructed the Iowa delegation to oppose the admission of the seceded states, until they should incorporate in their fundamental laws provisions guarantying to all classes of inhabitants equal civil and political rights ; to aid in bringing the confederate leaders to trial and punishment, and in making the test oath perpetual ; and to insist that the revolted states be held within the grasp of the war power, if need be, until the negro be elevated by education, and the insurrectionists improved in morals. On the subject of punishment, a special resolution was adopted, that Jefferson Davis "is not a proper subject of executive clemency, and that it is the duty of the president of the United States to cause him to be brought to a fair and impartial trial before a proper tribunal, and if found guilty of the crime of treason, suffer the penalty provided by law." Another resolution indorsed the action of congress in passing an act enfranchising the colored citizens of the District of Columbia.
The following acts were also passed : To protect the earnings of married women; to provide for the completion of the state geological survey ; making an appropriation for completing and repairing the buildings of the state university ; also making fur- ther appropriations ($27,150) for the hospital for the insane ; for the blind asylum and for the agricultural college buildings ($91,000) ; permanently locating the deaf and dumb institution at Council Bluffs ; accepting of the grant and carrying into execution the trust conferred on the state by act of congress, 1864; apportion- ing the state into senate and assembly districts ; to provide for the settlement of certain claims against the general government ; an act regarding soldiers' orphans; appropriating funds for the management of the benevolent institutions of the state, and also a number of acts regulating the terms of court in the different counties of the state; amending and legalizing certain laws and the action of officers in the discharge of their various duties.
At this session preliminary steps were taken to amend the state constitution by striking out the word, "white," wherever it oc- curs in that instrument, and by substituting the words, "persons " for "citizens of the United States," in section 1 of article III, and
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338
TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
also by adding to section 5 of article II, an article prohibiting any person guilty of treason, or of having absconded for the pur- pose of avoiding any military conscription or draft, from holding office in the state. In accordance with the constitutional pro- vision, these amendments were referred to the next legislature, which was to meet in January, 1868.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
GOV. STONE'S ADMINISTRATION.
The Des Moines Convention - The National Union Party - Elections.
THE ELECTIONS in Iowa in 1866 were for the purpose of filling the offices of secretary of state, state auditor, treasurer, register of the land office, attorney general and clerk of the supreme court, and also for choosing a delegation of six congressmen to represent the state in the forteith congress. The republican state conven- tion met at Des Moines on the 20th of June, and nominated the following candidates : for secretary of state, Col. Edward Wright ; state treasurer, Maj. S. E. Rankin ; state auditor, J. A. Elliot ; register of state land office, C. C. Carpenter ; attorney general, T. E. Bissell ; reporter of the supreme court, E. H. Stiles; clerk of supreme court, Chas. Lindeman. Among the resolutions adopted was one heartily approving of the joint resolution passed by the last congress, proposing to the several states an additional amend- ment to the federal constitution, securing to all citizens of the United States, “ regardless of race, religion or color, equality be- fore the law, equal protection from it, equal responsibility to it ; and to all that have proved their loyalty by their acts, an equal voice in making it." Other resolutions, advocating the enforce- ment of the Monroe doctrine, favoring the equalization of boun- ties to the soldiers and condemning dishonesty and carelessness in every department of the public service were adopted.
On the 28th of June a convention of " conservative republi- cans " assembled at Des Moines. A preamble and resolutions re- ported by a committee, of which Gen. T. H. Benton was chair- man, were adopted. The preamble recited that the members of the convention being unable to cooperate with the radical and dominant element in the republican party in the political meas-
(339)
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TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
ures which it had initiated, had decided to establish a political as- sociation to be known as the national union party, the essential principles of which were declared to be as follows : A repudia- tion of the radical doctrine of state rights and secession on the one hand, and centralization of federal authority on the other - that no state can secede, the war having been prosecuted on our part as expressly declared by congress itself, to defend and main- tain the supremacy of the constitution and to preserve the union inviolate with all its dignity and equality and the rights of the states unimpaired. The confederate states are still in the union and entitled to equal rights under the constitution, and congress has no power to exclude a state from the union, to govern it as a territory, or to deprive it of representation in the councils of the nation, when its representatives have been elected and qualified in accordance with the constitution and laws of the land. Other res- olutions were adopted, assenting the right of the state to prescribe the qualification of its electors, and opposing any alterations of the provisions of our state institutions on the subject of suffrage, and cordially indorsing the restoration policy of president John- son as wise, patriotic, constitutional and in harmony with the the views of the late president Lincoln and with the platform upon which it was elected.
The convention then nominated the following candidates for state officers : Secretary of state, Col. S. G. Van Amanda ; treasurer, Gen. Geo. A. Stone; auditor, Capt. R. W. Cross; regis- ter, S. P. Mckennie; attorney general, Capt. W. Bolinger; su- preme court reporter, Capt. J. W. Lemute; clerk, Louis Kinzey.
The democratic convention met at Des Moines, on the 11th of July, and adopted resolutions reaffirming adherence to democratic principles, in favor of the policy of president Johnson, and pledg- ing him the support of the democrats of Iowa; in favor of the immediate admission of the rebellious states, and in favor of union with any body for that purpose ; in favor of the taxation of United States bonds; against a tariff ; in favor of the Monroe doctrine, etc. ; against the prohibitory liquor law, etc.
After some discussion, the convention decided to support the candidates nominated by the conservative republicans with the exception of those for reporter and clerk of the supreme court, in
CROSSCUP & WEST-SC.PHILA.
Dan'l Newcomb.
342
TUTTLE'S HISTORY OF IOWA.
whose places they substituted the names of T. J. Stoddard and J. F. Gottschalk.
The political canvass was conducted here as elsewhere, with great animation, and the election which took place on the 9th of October, resulted largely in favor of the republicans. For secre- tary of state, Wright, republican candidate, received 91,227 votes, and Van Amanda, democrat and conservative republican, 55,815; majority for Wright 35,412. The total vote, 147,124, was much the largest ever cast in the state, exceeding the vote of 1865 for governor, 22,257. The remaining candidates on the republican ticket were elected by majorities about equal to that of Wright. The six republican candidates for members of congress were also elected.
The general assembly of the state, which meets biennially on the second Monday of January, held no session in 1867. The political parties began in the spring a vigorous canvass for the state election to be held in October. The state officers to be chosen at that election were governor, lieutenant governor, judge of the supreme court, attorney general and superintendent of public instruction. Calls were made in April, on the part of the state central committees of each of the leading political organizations, for conventions to be held in June. The republican convention met at Des Moines on the 19th of that month, and adopted a platform similar to the one adopted a year previous. A motion was made to amend the first resolution, so as to guaranty equal rights to all persons without regard to sex, which motion was laid upon the table. The convention then proceeded to nominate the following persons to fill the offices designated above : gov- ernor, Col. Samuel Merrill ; lieutenant governor, Col. John Scott ; judge of the supreme court, Joseph M. Beck ; attorney general, Maj. Henry O'Connor ; superintendent of public instruction, D. Franklin Wells. The democratic state convention assembled on the 26th of June, and after the adoption of a platform, made the following mominations : governor, Chas. Mason ; lieutenant gov- ernor, M. D. Harris ; judge of the supreme court, John H. Craige ; attorney general, W. T. Barker; superintendent of public instruc- tion, M. L. Fisher.
An exciting campaign followed these nominations. The ques-
343
ADMINISTRATION OF GOV. STONE.
tion of the prohibition of the sale of intoxicating liquors acquired some prominence, and a "people's party," made up of anti-pro- hibionists, was organized. The election took place on Tuesday, the 8th of October, and resulted in the election of the republican ticket. The votes for governor and lieutenant governor were not canvassed until the commencement of the session of the general assembly in January, 1868. The republican majority ranged from 24,000 to 27,000.
The general assembly that met in January, 1868, was com- posed as follows : senate, republicans, 39 ; democrats, 8. House of representatives, republicans, 77 ; democrats, 16; people's, 5 ; independent, 2.
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