Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 3.djvu/153

 department of the government in making laws and of the Governor in approving them. * * * it is the authoritative and conclusive expression of legislative will and is a verity. Whatever may be found in the prior proceedings inconsistent therewith, cannot invalidate the enrolled act.”

Judge Beck showed that the Supreme Court of Iowa had in prior decisions held this view, (Duncombe vs. Prindle, 12th Iowa, and Clare vs. the State, 5th Iowa) and in this last case it was declared that “behind the enrolled act it was impossible for any court to go for the purpose of ascertaining what the law is.” Judge Beck was sustained in his views by the decisions of the Supreme Courts of twelve States while the majority of the Court was sustained by the courts of but two States. Much and deserved criticism was passed upon the judges who thus, on a purely technical point where a large majority of the decisions were against their view, set aside the overwhelming decree of the people twice made by their legislative enactments and endorsed in an election which left no doubt of their will.