NUMBER X.

CIVIL CONTEST IN THE ISLAND OF CUBA.

JOINT RESOLUTION Relating to the Civil Contest in the Island of Cuba.

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That the people of this State regard with deep interest and profound sympathy, the struggles of the people of Cuba to realize their independence from European domination; and they regard with abhorrence the cruelties inflicted by the Spaniards upon their patriot prisonerstreatment which is unchristian, and unworthy the civilization professed alike in Europe and America.

Be it further resolved, That it has become historically a part of the law of nations, applicable to the relations of the American continent to the older world, that whenever a State of this continent, founded by colonization, has a population fitted for self-government, with its chief interests antagonistic to a longer condition of dependence on European rule, and its people with reasonable unanimity, desire and insist on the adoption of independent American civil institutions, such a State has a right to assert its independence, and to establish a government with American principles, founded on the voluntary action of its own people.

Be it further resolved, That after the lapse of a reasonable time, showing the persistent determination of such people for independence of European control, and their ability to maintain their civil organization against the effort to re-subjugate them during such period of trial, it is the right and duty of the United States government to recognize them as belligerents within the pale of international law, and to maintain a perfect neutrality between the contending parties; and this without offense to the foreign government, which can find in such action only a recognition of the right on which our own and all other independent American governments are founded.

Be it finally resolved, That in applying these principles to Cuba, the time has fully come for a cessation of that policy which allows the European power to build and fit out vessels of war at will in our ports, and move them thence for the re-subjugation of the Cuban people, while this government at the same time, seizes and confiscates patriot Cuban vessels driven into our ports by stress of weather, or for relief; and it is the duty of our government to adopt a rule that shall equally admit both contestants to the privileges of our ports, or equally exclude both therefrom; and no further delay can be made in recognizing the belligerent rights of the revolutionary government of Cuba, without impugning a right sacred to Americans, and historically established by nearly all the original European colonies of this continent.

Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested to maintain these principles in Congress, and to use their influence to secure their adoption by the executive government; and to present these resolutions to their respective branches of the government. Approved, March 17, 1870.

NUMREB XI.

HOMESTEAD SETTLERS.

JOINT RESOLUTION, Asking for the Relief of Homestead Settlers.

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WHEREAS, Numerous persons have made homestead settlements, paid entry fees, and received their certificates on lands in the State of Iowa, then held in market by the United States Land Office at Council Bluffs, Iowa, subsequent to an act of Congress approved, June 2d, 1864, entitled "an act to amend an act" entitled an act making a grant of land to the State of Iowa in alternate sections to aid in the construction of certain railroads in the State," approved, May 15th, 1856; and have in good faith, made valuable improvements upon said lands, and occupied the same for five years, as required by the homestead laws; and

WHEREAS, By said act of Congress, said homestead lands have been granted to certain railroad companies therein named, thereby defeating the claims of said settlers; therefore

Be it Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to use their best efforts to secure the passage of a law of Congress, granting adequate relief to such homestead settlers.

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be and is hereby instructed to forward a copy of these resolutions to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Approved, March 17, 1870.

NUMBER XII.

FOR INCREASE OF MAIL FACILITIES.

JOINT RESOLUTION, Asking Increased Mail Facilities on Certain Routes in Iowa.

Be it Resolved by the General Aesembly of the State of Iowa, That the Senators and Representatives of this State in Congress, be requested to procure increased mail service and facilities on the following routes, where it is now insufficient for the accommodation of the people, viz:

1. From Waverly, Bremer county, via Shell Rock, Butler Center, and Clarksville, to Boylan's Grove in Butler county, by extending the route so as to connect with Union Ridge and thence to Hampton, the county seat of Franklin county, making one continuous route thereof; and that no change be made in the present location of post offices at Union Ridge and Boylan's Grove.

2. Tri-weekly services from Washington, via Lexington to Wassonville in Washington county.

3. Daily service from Atlantic City, via Lewis and Red Oak Junction, to Hamburg in Fremont county.

4. Daily service from Ackley, via Hampton, Chapin, Linn Grove, Mason City, Lime Creek, Glen Mary, North Wood, to Albert Lee in Minnesota.

5. Tri-weekly service from Concord in Hancock county, via Ellington, Forest City, Benson's Grove, Lake Mills, to Albert Lee in Minnesota.

6. Daily service from Corning, via Bedford, to Marysville in Missouri.

7. Daily service across the Mississippi river from Port Byron, Illinois, to Le Claire, Iowa, by the steam ferry, thus delivering the Eastern mail at Le Claire one day earlier than by the present route.

8. Semi-weekly service from Maquoketa in Jackson county, via Fulton, Otter Creek, and Zwingle, to Dubuque.

9. A daily mail from Pella, Marion county, Iowa, to Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, via Iola post office.

10. Tri-weekly service from Storm Lake in Buena Vista county, via Sioux Rapids and Gillett's Grove, to Spencer in Clay county.

11. Semi-weekly service from Manchester in Delaware county, via Milo, Golden Prairie, Hazel Green, Uniontown, Buck Grove, Grove Creek, and Castle Grove, to Monticello in Jones county.

12. Tri-weekly service from Mt. Pleasant in Henry county, via Winona, Wayne, and Crawfordsville, to Ainsworth in Washington county.

13. Daily mail service from Loudon in Cedar county, to Monticello in Jones county, via Wyoming, Johnson, and Scotch Grove.

14. Tri-weekly mail from Melrose, Monroe county, to Garden Grove, Decatur county, Iowa, via Confidence, Bethlehem, New York, and Cambria, Wayne county Iowa.

15. A mail route commencing on the Dubuque and Sioux City railroad, at Floyd Valley post office, Plymouth county, Iowa; thence running to Galdaw, in Sioux county, in section 24, township 97, range 46; thence to Dorn, in Lyon county, Iowa, in section 30, township 98, range 45; thence to Ash Grove, Minnesota, in section 25, township 101, range 45; thence to Severn, Minnesota, and thence to Red Wood, Minnesota.

16. Semi-weekly mail route from Webster City in Hamilton county, to Belmond in Wright county, via Clarion, county seat of Wright county, and from Belmond to Concord in Hancock county.

17. From Marion, Linn county, by Rural, Waubeck, Wapsa, Central City, Nugent's Grove, Tower Hill, and Barryville, to Manchester in Delaware county, and back, three times a week.

Be it further resolved, That where any of said routes are not now established by law, so as to admit of said service, the Senators and Representatives of this State be requested to procure the legal establishment of the same as early as practicable, and that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to them respectively, and to the Postmaster-General. Approved, March 23, 1870.

NUMBER XIII.

LOAN TO MEDICAL COLLEGE AT KEOKUK.

PREAMBLE AND JOINT RESOLUTION Relative to a Loan of $15,000 to the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk.

WHEREAS, By an act of the Seventh General Assembly, approved March 15th, 1858, the treasurer of State was authorized to loan the college of physicians and surgeons at Keokuk, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars, out of the school-fund, for the term of ten years, with interest at the rate of ten per cent. per annum, payable annually; to be secured by mortgage, and,

WHEREAS, Professor J. C. Hughes received said money, and to secure its payment, gave a note purporting to be in behalf of said college and signed by himself and others, as sureties, as also a mortgage; and,

WHEREAS, Neither the principal nor interest of said loan has been

paid and it is claimed that there are serious doubts as to the sufficiency of the security; therefore,

Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That the Attorney-General be and is hereby instructed, at as early a day as practicable, to ascertain the condition of said loan, and of the security therefor; to take the necessary steps to secure and collect the amount due the State; and if practicable to report to the General Assembly at this session the condition of said loan and security and of his action in the premises; and, if he cannot at this session, to make report to the Governor relative thereto as soon as is practicable. Approved, March 30, 1870.

NUMBER XIV.

PROPOSING AMENDMENT TO STATE CONSTITUTION.

JOINT RESOLUTION Proposing to Amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa, and to Provide for its Reference and Publication.

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That the following amendments to the Constitution of the State of Iowa, be and are hereby proposed.

1st. Strike from Section one, of Article two, of said Constitution, the word "male."

2d. Strike from Section four, of Article three, of said Constitution, the word "male."

Resolved further, That these resolutions proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Iowa are hereby referred to the Legislature to be chosen at the next general election; and that the Secretary of State shall cause the same to be published for three months previous to the time of the next general election of members of the legislature in one newspaper in each congressional district. Approved, April 4, 1870.

NUMBER XV.

WILLIAM B. CRITCHFIELD AND HENRY C. ANDERSON.

JOINT RESOLUTION for the Relief of William B. Critchfield and Henry C. Anderson, late soldiers of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry.

WHEREAS, William B. Critchfield and Henry C. Anderson, privates of Company C, 13th regiment, lowa Volunteer Infantry, were, on or about the 3d day of April, 1863, granted a leave of absence to go from