some way provide that the attorney-general of the United States shall immediately institute proceedings, or cause such proceedings to be commenced at once by action either in equity or at law as may be deemed best and appear in the name of the United States so as as to remove all claims from the title of said lands and that in such action or actions to be instituted as aforesaid, any person or persons in the possession of or claiming title to any land or lands, under the United States involved in such action or actions may, at his or her expense unite with the United States in the prosecution of said action or actions for the purpose of forever settling the title or titles of the person or persons claiming said lands. Approved, April 1, 1884. NUMBER 15. JURISDICTION OF U. S. CIRCUIT COURTS. JOINT RESOLUTION AND MEMORIAL in Regard to Jurisdiction of United States Circuit Courts. WHEREAS, By act of congress, approved September 24th 1789, the jurisdiction of the circuit courts of the United States in suits between citizens of different states, was extended to cases in which the amount in controversy exceeded five hundred dollars; and, WHEREAS, For almost one hundred years the amount thus fixed has remained unchanged, while the commercial and material interests of the country, and the business of the courts have increased many fold, and the reasons why so small an amount should determine such jurisdiction no longer exist; and, WHEREAS, Corporations organized under the laws of other states, and doing business in the state of Iowa have systematically removed all cases possible to the United States courts, thus compelling the citizens of this state to pursue his remedy in the United States court, and in many cases amounting to a denial of justice, and causing great inconvenience, unreasonable delay and unnecessary expense; therefore, Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: That our senators and representatives in congress are hereby requested to use their influence to procure such a modification and change of existing law, so as to increase the amount determining the jurisdiction of the circuit courts of the United States commensurate with the increase of commercial interests and business of the courts, and the demands of the people. Resolved, That the secretary of state be directed to forward to the president of the senate of the United States, and the speaker of the house of representatives, a copy of the foregoing resolutions, with the request that the same be laid before each house of congress, and that a copy be sent to each senator and member of congress from this state. Approved, April 3, 1884. NUMBER 16. AGENT TO COLLECT FROM U. S. REFUND ON DIRECT WAR TAX. JOINT RESOLUTION, relative to the Appointment of an Agent for the Collection of any Amount that May Be Due the State of Iowa, from the United States as a Refund of the Direct War Tax, and also as a Refund of Interest on Money Advanced by the State During the Civil War. WHEREAS, Agents have been appointed by a number of the states to prosecute their several claims for a refund from the United States of the amount of direct tax paid according to the provisions of the act of congress of August 5, 1861, and also for a refund of interest on money advanced by the states during the civil war; and, WHEREAS, The state of Iowa is entitled to a share in any such refunds made to equalize the burden of war taxes among the states; therefore Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: That the governor be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint an agent on behalf of the state to prosecute to final decision the claim of this state for a refund of the tax paid by the state of Iowa under the provisions of the act of congress of August 5, 1861, and also for a refund of interest on money advanced by the state during the civil war; and that such agent shall be allowed such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the governor and himself but shall not in any event exceed three per cent of the amount collected to be paid only after the recovery of the claim in whole or in part and not to be paid out of any other fund; and provided that the state shall not otherwise be liable for any expenses whatever attending the prosecution of such claim. Approved, April 5, 1884. NUMBER 17. REPAIRS FOR STATE ARSENAL. JOINT RESOLUTION to Authorize the Capitol Commissioners to Repair and Furnish the State Arsenal. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: That the capital commissioners are hereby authorized to make all necessary repairs upon the state arsenal so as to place it in good condition, and also to furnish it in an appropriate manner, and the state auditor shall draw upon the state treasury for the expense incurred under this resolution; the same to be paid out of the funds appropriated for the capitol building. Approved, April 5, 1884. NUMBER 18. PENSIONS. MEMORIAL AND JOINT RESOLUTION in Reference to the Applications for Pensions. WHEREAS, Thousands of applications for pensions are now pending in the United States pension offices and have been pending from two to ten years, and WHEREAS, Many of the applicants gave the best years of their lives, their health, their strength in the defense of their country, and many gave up husband and father, and WHEREAS, Many of them have now no means of support, but have, with their families, been reduced to abject poverty and want, therefore: Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: That these applications of right ought to be speedily adjusted, that the expectations, hopes and just rights of those who suffered wounds and disease for their country's good should not longer be delayed. Resolved, second, That our senators and representatives in congress be and they are hereby requested to use all their influence to secure the most speedy and adequate adjustment practicable of all such claims. Resolved, third, That the secretary of state be instructed to furnish a copy of this memorial and joint resolution to each of our senators and representatives in congress. Approved, April 7, 1884. NUMBER 19. JOINT RESOLUTION in Relation to Swamp Land Indemnity. WHEREAS, The provisions of the act of congress of March 2, 1855, as extended by act of congress of March 3, 1857, granting indemnity to the states for swamp and overflowed lands disposed of by the United States, are held not to apply to sales and locations made after March 3, 1857, and, WHEREAS, A large amount of land properly falling to the state and counties in Iowa, under the swamp grant, have been disposed of by the govern ment since March 3, 1857, thereby compelling the counties and their grantees to abandon their claim to such lands or litigate with the purchasers of the government, and WHEREAS, On the 4th day of February, 1884, the Hon. Mr. Cosgrove introduced a bill (H. R. 4505) in the house of representatives in congress, to extend said indemnity provisions of said act of March 2, 1855, and making the same applicable to sales and locations made since March 3, 1857 which bill is pending in congress. WHEREAS, Under the rulings of the department, certificates-called scrip, or indemnity scrip-issued for indemnity for swamp lands located with warrants, cannot be located on lands outside of the state, and there being no vacant land in Iowa on which scrip can be located, many of the counties in this state, after great expense, are unable to realize anything for their swamp lands so disposed of by warrant locations, and by that means are damaged to a large amount; and WHEREBS, On the 6th day of February, 1884, Senator Allison introduced a bill (S. 1428) providing (amongst other things beneficial to the counties of Iowa) for the location of such indemnity scrip, on any public lands subject to entry, of the United States, in any state or territory, which bill is pending in the senate; therefore, Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: That our senators be instructed and our representatives in congress be requested to use all proper and lawful means in their power to secure the passage of both said bills (H. R. 4505 and S. 1428) or by the enactment in some other bill, of provision substantially as therein contained. Resolved further, That the secretary of state transmit to each of our senators and representatives in congress, a copy of the resolutions. Approved, April 14, 1884. NUMBER 20. ASSIGNMENT OF ROOMS IN NEW CAPITOL. JOINT RESOLUTION Relative to the Assignment of Rooms in the New Capitol. Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa: That the rooms of the new capitol in the basement and first story thereof be assigned to the several state officers, and boards of commissioners as designated in schedules A and B hereto attached and that such rooms as are not therein assigned be left subject to future assignment by the general assembly, or as may be provided by law, and that the capitol commissioners be directed to finish and furnish said rooms in a style most convenient for the purpose or purposes, for which each room is to be used as designated in said schedules. SCHEDULE A. First Story. No. 1. Secretary of State, Private Office. No. 23. Superintendent of Public Instruction, Library. No. 24. No. 25. No. 26. Auditor of State. The numbers designating the several rooms in [are] the same used on the plans in the office of the Capitol Commissioners. Approved, April 26, 1884. |