Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/295



largely determined the result. Chapman was declared elected, having received more votes than his highest competitor. Mr. Chapman made an excellent representative for the new Territory. In the contest between Missouri and Iowa over the boundary line, Mr. Chapman contended successfully with two distinguished United States Senators from Missouri, Benton and Linn, for the true line, which was finally established as claimed by Iowa. Mr. Chapman originated the bill which became a law, granting Iowa 500,000 acres of the public lands within its limits for the support of public schools. At the August election in 1839 Francis Gehon *  was chosen Delegate to Congress.

The last session of the Legislature had passed an act changing the time for holding the general election to the first Monday in October, and authorizing an extra session of the Legislature to be held, beginning the second Monday in July. At the extra session the apportionment was made for representative districts; an act passed for organization of the militia; and a proposition was submitted to the people at the next election to call a convention to adopt a constitution for admission into the Union.

A period of general depression in business prevailed throughout the country during the last part of Van Buren’s term as President, and Whig politicians charged the “hard times” to the financial policy pursued by the Democratic administration. Seeing a favorable condition for the overthrow of their adversaries, the Whig politicians called the first political National Convention ever held and proceeded to nominate General William H. Harrison for President.

The Democrats also held a convention and nominated Martin Van Buren for reëlection. Although there were no well defined issues on national affairs involved in the contest, the campaign was one of intense enthusiasm on

* A change in the law fixing the time of the beginning of the term, Mr. Gehon was legislated out of the office to which he had been elected.