SPECIAL MESSAGES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MARCH 26, 1894 From MS. Copy of Executive Journal, Vol. VIII, p. 17—in the Office of the Governor, Des Moines Gentlemen: I take great pleasure in reminding the Senators and Members of the House of Representatives of the fact that we have living with us as a citizen of the State of Iowa, a gentleman who for more than two-thirds of a century has made his home with us. He is a native of Indiana, but shortly after he attained his majority he came to this country which was then known as the "Far West," and soon enjoyed the honor and distinction of serving as a delegate in Congress from the territory of Michigan, his district embracing an area stretching from Lake Huron to the Missouri River. He introduced a bill in Congress which organized the State of Wisconsin and gave that great State its name. Afterwards it was largely through his efforts that the State of Minnesota was organized, and to him was accorded the honor of naming its first territorial governor. At his earnest solicitation the territory of Iowa was organized and he also gave to it its name, and upon its admission as a state was elected as the first United States Senator from Iowa. He suggested the names of Clayton, Calhoun, Clay, Buchanan, Jackson, Fremont, Benton, Davis, and Polk to be given to certain counties of Iowa in honor of the eminent statesmen of that day, many of whom were his personal friends and colleagues, thereby giving evidence of the friendship which he entertained toward the great national characters whose names and memories he thus wished to perpetuate. The county of Linn he named in honor of Senator Linn of Missouri, bestowing that name upon one of his daughters at the same time. This distinguished citizen was a drummer boy in the war of 1812 and was a prominent character in the Black Hawk War. He was at one time an equal partner with Daniel Webster, which firm entered lands from the government now occupied by the cities of Madison, Wisconsin, and Sioux City, Iowa. He was an intimate and personal friend of Andrew Jackson, and in 1823 he acted as special escort through the state of Kentucky to the General when he was on his way to Washington to take his seat in Congress. In 1824, by resolution of Congress, he was made a member of the reception committee to meet Lafayette when that illustrious patriot visited this country. The gentleman to whom I refer, the Hon. George W. Jones, is now living in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, strong and vigorous in health, and is looking forward with pleasant anticipations to his ninetieth birthday which will occur on the 12th day of April next. I would suggest as an appropriate recognition of the services rendered by this eminent citizen of Iowa, that an invitation be extended him to visit the capitol of his state upon this occasion, of his ninetieth birthday and that he be received by the members of the Twenty-fifth General Assembly in joint convention. FRANK D. JACKSON. TO THE SENATE JANUARY 15, 1896 From the Journal of the Senate, p. 24 To the Senate: I herewith transmit to you notification of a vacancy existing in the Board of Trustees of the State Industrial Schools, caused by the death of Thomas Mitchell, elected for the term ending April 12, 1900, and temporarily filled by the appointment of M. H. Davis. Also of a vacancy existing in the Board of Trustees of the College for the Blind, caused by the resignation of Thomas Bell, elected for the term ending April 12, 1896, which are required to be filled by the General Assembly. FRANK D. JACKSON. TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY 15, 1896 From the Journal of the Senate, p. 24 To the General Assembly: In accordance with the statutes I herewith transmit to you notification of the following appointments made, subject to the approval of the Senate: John W. Morton, appointed commissioner of Iowa Soldiers' Home, January 7, 1896, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of J. R. Ratekin, appointed for the term ending April 30, 1898; also Levi B. Raymond, appointed Commissioner of the Iowa Soldiers' Home, January 13, 1896, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of N. A. Merrell, appointed for the term ending April 30, 1896. FRANK D. JACKSON. TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY JANUARY 16, 1896 From the Iowa Legislative Documents, 1896, Vol. IV To the General Assembly: In accordance with the requirements of section 16, article 4 of the Constitution, I herewith transmit to you a report of each case of reprieve, commutation and pardon granted and the reason therefor, and also of all persons in whose favor remission of fines and forfeitures were made, and the several amounts remitted, during my official term, which closed January 16, 1896.1 FRANK D. JACKSON. i For full report of each case see Iowa Legislative Documents for 1896, Vol. IV. PROCLAMATIONS ON MEMORIAL DAY MAY 9, 1894 From MS. Copy of Executive Journal, Vol. IX, p. 48-in the Office of the Governor, Des Moines In the National cemeteries of our country and elsewhere lie buried hundreds of thousands of the great volunteer army who gave all that they had to dignify American labor, to exalt American citizenship and to insure a lasting union upon the great plain of common liberty. The 30th of May has by National and State legislation been set apart as a public holiday consecrated to the memory of those dead soldiers of the Union. Each succeeding year serves to teach us how deep a debt of gratitude is due those who laid down their lives that we might enjoy a continuance of the liberties and prosperity of this Republic: Now, Therefore, I, Frank D. Jackson, Governor of the State of Iowa do hereby request that all the people of this commonwealth refrain upon that day from all unnecessary labor, and join with the surviving members of the Armies of the Republic in paying homage to the memory of their fallen comrades, and with a spirit of patriotic and reverent solemnity study their cause; respect their virtues; emulate their heroism and mourn their sacrifices. Let us renew our fealty to the principles and institutions for which they died. |