Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/104

 printed copy of the proceedings which gave the correct version of the speech. General Belknap further had the original manuscript of the address photographed and a facsimile was published which set the libel forever at rest. *   Professor Hammond a few years ago pronounced this persistent misrepresentation among the “frauds of the most surprising character.”

The State Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry held its annual session in Des Moines beginning on the 14th of December and continuing five days. The report of the treasurer showed the receipts of the year to be $22,000, property on hand including cash $13,761. Arrangements were made to procure crop reports through the local Granges to be published in the agricultural papers. A resolution was adopted asking the General Assembly to enact a law requiring all banks of deposit to give security in real estate first mortgages to be held by the Auditor of State, for the benefit of depositors in case of failure of said banks.

The Sixteenth General Assembly convened at Des Moines on the 10th of January, 1876. The House was organized by the election of John H. Gear, Speaker. After the inauguration of Governor Kirkwood and Lieutenant-Governor Newbold the latter entered upon the discharge of his duties as President of the Senate.

A United States Senator was to be chosen for six years by this General Assembly and, as the Republicans had a large majority on joint ballot, the warm contest that ensued was entirely within the ranks of that party. The candidates were Governor Kirkwood, Ex-Senator James Harlan, General W. W. Belknap, Hiram Price and George W. McCrary, all able and well known men who had served the State in various public positions. The contest was earnest but friendly and free from the bitterness that often attends similar campaigns. Mr. Harlan was Governor Kirkwood’s strongest competitor and, up to the

* A facsimile of the original manuscript of General Grant’s famous address may be seen in the Historical Department of Iowa.