Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 1.djvu/424



Hamilton, President. Samuel McFarland was chosen Speaker of the House. Governor Grimes sent his message to the two Houses on the third day of the month. The financial condition was stated as follows: amount in the treasury, October 1st, 1854, $10,106.86; paid in from that date to October 31st, 1856, $250,399.45. Amount paid out, $249,149.85, leaving a balance of $11,156.46. The Governor recommended an investigation of the affairs of the Des Moines Improvement Company which was not making satisfactory progress with the work.

The Senate of the United States having declared the former election of James Harlan illegal, on the 17th of January, 1857, the Legislature reëlected him for the unexpired portion of the term, ending March 4, 1861. Acts were passed providing for the payment of Statebonds, $57,000, due January 1, 1857; creating the counties of Humboldt and Hamilton; transferring the school fund to the State treasury; providing for the distribution of the five per cent. fund; amending the prohibitory liquor law; fixing the salaries of the Governor, Supreme and District Judges and other officers; authorizing certain cities and counties to issue bonds and subscribe for stock in building railroads; authorizing the McGregor Railroad Company to accept a land grant.

James D. Eads, of Lee County, was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction at the April election, 1854, gave bonds which were approved and entered upon the duties of the office. It was discovered in 1856 that the financial affairs of the office were in a state of confusion, and the funds belonging to the State, in the custody of the Superintendent, were being loaned on doubtful security. The Sixth General Assembly passed an act concerning the school funds in which the Governor was authorized to appoint an agent to make a thorough investigation and report the condition in which they were found. Under this authority Governor Grimes appointed Joseph M. Beck, of Lee County. He soon discovered a state of