Mr. Bowen offered the following amendment: Strike out the words, "on the 4th day of July, 1858," and insert the words, "on the 31st day of January, 1855," when it occurs in the bill.

Mr. Duncombe demanded the yeas and nays upon the amendment, which were ordered, and were as follows:

The yeas were-Senators Angle, Ainsworth, Bowen, Buechel, Drummond, English, Gray, Hammer, Hastings, Kent, Lewis, McPherson, Patterson of Muscatine, Saunders, Thompson, Wilson of Jefferson-16.

The nays were-Senators Anderson, Bailey, Brown, Bussey, Davis of Clinton, Davis of Polk, Duncombe, Green, Hagans, Mann, Neal, Pusey, Pattison of Marshall, Powers, Rankin, Reiner, Sherradden, Scott, Trumbull, Taylor, Udell, Williams, Wilson of Dubuque-23.

Not voting-Coolbaugh, Henderson, Johnson and Watson. So

the amendment was lost.

Mr. Kent moved to amend section 3d, by striking out "eighty acres," and inserting "40 acres." Lost.

Mr. Brown offered the following amendment, which was adopted: Provided, That no person who now owns timber land, to the amount of 40 acres, shall be deemed entitled to the benefits of section three.

Mr. Angle moved to strike out section three of the bill.

Mr. Duncombe moved to lay the motion to strike out on the table, upon which Mr. Angle demanded the yeas and nays, which were ordered, and were as follows:

The yeas were-Senators Anderson, Bailey, Brown, Bussey, Buechel, Coolbaugh, Duncombe, English, Gray, Green, Hagans, Johnson, Kent, Lewis, Mann, Neal, Pusey, Patterson of Muscatine Pattison of Marshall, Powers, Mankin, Sherradden, Trumbull, Taylor, Udell, Watson, Williams, Wilson of Dubuque-28.

The nays were-Senators Angle, Ainsworth, Bowen, Davis of Clinton, Davis of Polk, Drummond, Hastings, Reiner, Saunders, Scott, Thompson, Wilson of Jefferson-13.

Not voting-Hammer and Henderson. So the motion to lay on the table prevailed.

Mr. McPherson moved to amend section 3d, by striking out the words, "in the discretion of the County Judge and Treasurer," which was agreed to.

Mr. Davis of Polk, moved to re-commit the bill, which motion prevailed.

Mr. Rankin, from the Judiciary Committee, reported back the petition of John Dobson and others, praying for the passage of a law allowing hogs and sheep to run at large, in Millford township, in Crawford county, with the opinion that the law prayed for would be unconstitutional, and, therefore, ought not to be passed. Report adopted.

Mr. Rankin, from same committee, reported back Senate File No. 34, a bill for an act to amend chapter 43 of the Code of Iowa, and recommended its passage.

Un motion of Mr. Johnson, the bill was ordered to be engrossed, and made the special order for Monday next.

Mr. Rankin, from same committee, reported a substitute for Senate File No. 32, a bill for an act to amend chapter 156, of the 7th General Assembly, entitled "Pre-emptors of School Lands," approved March 23, 1858.

Mr. Pusey moved that the 11th Rule be suspended, and the substitute read a third time, and put upon its final passage, which was agreed to.

Upon its final passage,

The yeas were-Senators Anderson, Angle, Ainsworth, Bailey, Bowen, Brown, "Bussey, Buechel, Coolbaugh, Davis of Clinton, Davis of Polk, Drummond, Duncombe, English, Gray, Green, Hagans, Hammer, Hastings, Johnson, Kent, Lewis, Mann, McPherson, Neal, Pusey, Patterson of Muscatine, Pattison of Marshall, Powers, Rankin, Reiner, Saunders, Sherradden, Scott, Thompson, Trumbull, Taylor, Udell, Watson, Williams, Wilson of Dubuque, Wilson of Jefferson-42.

The nays were-none.

Absent--Mr. Henderson. So the bill was passed. Title agreed to. Mr. Brown obtained leave to introduce Senate File No. 54, a bill for an act for the election of one additional Justice of the Peace, in Big Creek township, in Black Hawk county. Read first and second time, and referred to Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Saunders from the Committee on Ways and Means, reported back House File No. 39, a bill for an act providing for the payment of the pro tem. officers of the 8th General Assembly, with the recommendation of the majority that the bill be passed.

Mr. Neal gave notice that he should bring in a Minority Report. On motion of Mr. Bailey, the bill was laid on the table.

Mr. Bowen, from the Committee on Schools and University, reported back Senate File No. 39, an act for the relief of Schools, Colleges, Incorporations and Colonies, and recommended that the same be indefinitely postponed.

On motion of Mr. Bussey, the report was adopted.

Mr. Bowen, from the same committee, reported back Senate File No. 40, a bill for an act for the relief of purchasers of School Lands, and recommended that the same be indefinitely postponed.

On motion, the bill was laid on the table.

Mr. Johnson offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That on and after Monday next, the Senate hold two sessions per day, commencing at 9 o'clock A. M., and 2 o'clock P. M., of each day.

Mr. Davis, of Polk, moved to lay the resolution on the table. Upon which motion, Mr. Coolbaugh called the yeas and nays, which were ordered, and were as follows:

The yeas were Senators Davis of Polk, Drummond, Hastings, Mann, McPherson, Rankin-6.

The nays were-Senators Anderson, Angle, Ainsworth, Brown, Bussey, Coolbaugh, Davis of Clinton, English, Gray, Green, Hammer, Johnson, Kent, Lewis, Neal, Pusey, Patterson of Muscatine, Pattison of Marshall, Powers, Reiner, Saunders, Sherradden, Scott, Thompson, Trumbull, Taylor, Udell, Watson, Williams, Wilson of Dubuque, Wilson of Jefferson-31.

Not voting, Senators Bailey, Bowen, Buechel, Duncombe, Hagans and Henderson.

So the motion to lay on the table did not prevail.

Mr. Davis, of Polk, moved to strike out 9 o'clock, and insert 10 o'clock in lieu thereof. Which motion was lost.

Mr. Scott moved to amend by inserting the words, "on Wednesdays and Fridays," after the words, "per day."

Mr. Johnson moved to lay the amendment on the table. Not agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Angle, the Senate adjourned.

SENATE CHAMBER,

Monday January 30, 1860, 9 o'clock, A. M. )

Senate met pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer by Rev. Mr. Drake,

Journal of Saturday read and approved.
Message from the House.

MR. PRESIDENT:-I am directed to inform your honorable body that the House has passed the following concurrent resolutions: 1st-In relation to regulating the prices of State Printing; and 2d-In relation to an Investigation of the condition and affairs of the Penitentiary at Fort Madison.

Both of which I herewith present, and in which the concurrence of the Senate is asked.

CHARLES ALDRICH, Chief Clerk H. of R. The President laid before the Senate the following communication from the Secretary of State:

CONTINGENT FUND.

In compliance with the 22d section, of chapter 161, of the laws of the 7th General Assembly of the State of Iowa, I herewith re port the condition of the Contingent Fund of the Secretary's office.

By balance of appropriation of the 6th General Assembly unexpended, Nov. 1st, 1857.....

$640.60

Appropriation of 7th General Assembly..

2000.00

Total Contingent Fund....

$2640.60

Paid Clerks from Nov. 1, 1857, to Nov. 1, 1859:

Leaving unexpended, Nov. 1, 1859, a balance of........ $411.53

CAPITOL SQUARE.

There was placed at my disposal by chapter 130, of the laws of the 7th General Assembly, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, for the purpose of fencing and otherwise improving the plat of ground known as the Capitol Square, in the City of Des Moines.

The amount expended under said appropriation for which I hold vouchers is.....

Leaving a balance in my hands.

$1492.57 7.43

There is one small bill which has not been presented, and remains unpaid, which will about cover the balance in my hands. Respectfully Submitted,

ELIJAH SELLS Sec'y of State.

On motion, the communications were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

The Secretary presented the following communication from the State Printer, to the Senate:

CITIZEN OFFICE, JAN. 27, 1860.

J. H. Sanders, Secretary Senate: -Your note of inquiry, directed by Senate, was this day received.

In reply I would State, the Report on Civil Practice, is printed and in the hands of the State Binder. The Report on Criminal Practice will be delivered to the Binder by the middle of next week; which completes the work so far as I am concerned.

Yours Truly,

J. TEESDALE.

House File 79, an act making appropriations for furniture and improvements in the Capitol building, was taken up, read 1st and 2d time, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

By consent, the following concurrent resolution passed by the House, was taken up and read.

Resolved, (The Senate concurring,) That a special committee of three from the House, and two from the Senate, be appointed to investigate all matters and expenditures, all contracts for materials, buildings, &c., and all matters connected with the management of the Iowa State Penitentiary. That said committee be empowered to send for persons and papers, and in case said committee shall deem it necessary, for a full understanding of the case,