Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/311



cents. Money commanded from twenty-five to forty per cent, interest and the currency in circulation was of doubtful value.

Under this condition of affairs the Sixth Legislative Assembly met at Iowa City on the 4th of December, 1843. Thomas Cox was elected President of the Council and James Carlton was chosen Speaker of the House. Governor Chambers in his message strongly urged the Legislature to again take steps to organize a state government. In order to afford some relief, the Legislature enacted a valuation law, the provisions of which protected property of a debtor from being sold on execution for less than two-thirds of its appraised value. The Legislature also provided for a revision of the laws, which work was done by O. W. Stull and Samuel J. Burr. The work of Mr. Stull was but partially completed when he was removed from office by President Tyler. Mr. Burr was appointed to succeed him as Secretary of the Territory and, after a long delay, completed the revision. An act was again passed submitting to the people a proposition to frame a constitution for a state government. Acts were also passed providing for a census to be taken in May and for an extra session to be held in June; also for the organization of the counties of Keokuk, Wapello and Davis.

The census of the Territory taken in 1844 shows the population by counties as follows: