time of the assembling of the joint caucus of the Republican members, the result was in doubt. But just before the session began Harlan’s name was withdrawn and upon the first ballot Governor Kirkwood received the nomination by a majority of two over all of his competitors. He was elected, by the joint convention of the General Assembly five days after his third inauguration as Governor, for a term of six years from the 4th of March, 1877.
There was little legislation of importance although there were warm discussions on subjects of deep interest. Among the measures defeated were bills to restore capital punishment; to repeal the act of 1874 fixing rates for railroad passengers and freights; to modify the liquor law by establishing local option. The amendment to the Constitution, granting suffrage to women, proposed by the previous Legislature, was again approved by the House for submission to the people but failed in the Senate by a close vote.
The attempt to repeal the railroad “Grange law” was vigorously pressed by the opponents with a large lobby representing the railroad companies. It was claimed that it was crippling the roads, putting a stop to railroad building and driving some of the companies into bankruptcy. The Senate railroad committee, to which the bills for repeal were referred made a careful investigation on the subject and a majority made a report from which the following statements are taken:
“We have examined the workings of the law and find that the people have been benefitted by it, the interests of the State advanced and there are many reasons why the law should be retained. We find the law has reduced rates largely, has wiped out unjust discrimination and extortions that existed throughout the State prior to its passage, has opened up markets within our State for its products, facilitated the interchange of commodities at home, fostered our manufactures, aided in the development of agriculture and is operating largely in favor of Iowa and Iowa people. No petition for its repeal has come from our constituents and we believe our people are content with the law and desire to have it thoroughly tested.”
