Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/272



“From and after the 3d day of July next all of that part of the present Territory of Wisconsin which lies west of the Mississippi River, and west of a line drawn due north from the head waters of said river to the territorial line, shall be constituted a separate territorial government by the name of Iowa.”

It will be seen that the Territory thus established included all of Iowa, most of Minnesota and a portion of Dakota. The act provided for the appointment by the President of a Governor to hold office three years, unless sooner removed by the President, who should also be commander-in-chief of the militia and superintendent of Indian affairs. He should approve all laws enacted by the Legislative Assembly before they took effect. The Secretary of the Territory was appointed for four years, and in case of death or removal, or necessary absence of the Governor from the Territory, the Secretary was authorized and required to perform all duties of the Governor during such vacancy.

The Legislative Assembly consisted of a Council and House of Representatives; the Council composed of thirteen members, and the House of twenty-six. Members of the Council were chosen for two years, and of the House for one year. The election was to be called by the Governor after a census of the Territory had been taken; the Assembly to meet at such time and place as the Governor might designate. The courts consisted of supreme, district and probate judges, and justices of the peace, appointed by the Governor. The Supreme Court was composed of a Chief Justice and two associate judges with terms of four years. The Territory was divided into three judicial districts, court to be held in each district by one of the judges at such times as may be fixed by law. The Chief Justice and associate judges, Attorney and Marshal of the Territory to be appointed by the President for four years, a delegate in Congress to be elected by the voters of the Territory for a term of two years.

The Governor was further empowered to grant pardons,