CHAPTER V
THE Fifteenth General Assembly convened at Des Moines on the 12th of January, 1874. In the House there was a long contest over the election of Speaker, as no party had a clear majority. After one hundred thirty-two ballots, on the 23d of January, John H. Gear, Republican, was chosen over J. W. Dixon, the candidate of the opposition. In the House there were fifty Republicans and fifty opposition. As the General Assembly could not be organized until a Speaker was elected, no business was transacted until the 23d when the Governor sent in his message. On the following day the two houses met in joint convention and canvassed the vote for Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. On the 27th Governor Carpenter was inaugurated for the second time and Joseph Dysart became Lieutenant-Governor.
In his message the Governor called attention to reports of great destitution existing among the homestead settlers in the northwestern counties of the state. On motion of Senator Perkins a joint committee of five members, two from the senate and three from the House, was appointed to inquire into the situation and report to the General Assembly.
On motion of Senator Kephart a joint committee consisting of three members of the Senate and five members of the House was appointed to investigate charges made against the management of the State Agricultural College by its trustees, president and other officials. The committee consisted of Senators Kephart of Linn County, Merrill of Clinton, Cooley of Dubuque, and Representatives Goodrich of Howard, Newbold of Henry, Peet of Delaware, Mitchell of Jackson, and Brown of Washington. The committee had authority to send for persons and
