Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-12-13

eminently unjustin its bearing upon a large
number Of the inhabitants Of this Territory,
and hope soon to have the pleasure Of wit
Messing its overthrow. Its the opinion of
intelligent men who have had opportuni-
ties of advising themselves on the subject,
that the labor employed in the business of
mining is worse paid for, in the aggregate,
than that employed in any other branch of
industry. Men toll for years frequently,
without meeting with the slightest encour-
agement; and if, in the end, success crowns
their perseverance, the government, like a
hard task-master, Immediately steps in and
wrests from them such portion of their
hard earnings as it may suit its convenience
to demand, The best course, undoub,ed-
ly--best for the government, and best for
the miner-would be 10 sell the lands as
other lands arc sold, varying only in the
particulars of quantity and price, which
might easily be regulated to the satisfac-
ten of all. An expression of opinion by
you, Gentlemen, on this important subject,
at the present time, could scarcely fail of
being attended with salutary results, par
ticuiarly as it is understood revision and
modification of the system will be attempt
ed this winter,
The improvement, by slackwater or 9TH
erwise, OF that most beautiful of all rivers,
the Desmoines, is subject in which deep
interest is felt by our fellow citizens re-
siding in the Western and Southern coun-
ties. Coursing, as it does, through very
fertile and densely populated portion Of the
Territory, this stream once rendered sus-
ceptible of steam navigation, would soon
become the thoroughfare for vast amount
of inland trade, The practicabili,y of 50
improving it is generally conceded; but
being destitute ourselves Of the means ne
cessary to its accomplishment, the question
at once presents itself, show, and at whose
expense, is the work to be done?' At
present we have but one resource to turn
to, and that is the general government
Grants of lands have been made in several
instances by Congress to works of infinite
ly less importance; and for any reasonable
donation oil this kind to the Improvement
in question the government might safely
calculate upon being speedily reimbursed,
in the increase of its receipts from the lands
lying contiguous to the river. A memo
rial to Congress. setting forth the subject
in its proper light, might possibly receive
a favorable reception at the hands of that
body. Whether or not such memorial
shall be adopted is for you TO say.
The rapid accumulation of the public
debt Of the Territory is beginning to attract
the attention Of the people, who, as the pc.
Rod approaches at which they expect to
be called on to support the expenses of a
state government, naturally seek 10 advise
themselves Of the extent of the burthens
they are about to assume. That our La
bilities, with our legislative and judicial
expenses borne by the general government,
should have reached their present aggre-
gate, is truly maccountable. What is
past, however, cannot be repairdd; we can
only guard against the augmentation Of the
debt in future. To do this effectually, it
will be necessary to institute more rigid
system of enquiry and investigation into
| the business and legality of claims brought
against the Territory than has heretofore
prevailed. 1t will also be found, upon ex-
animation, that under our laws there are
some some items Of expenditure chargea-
BILE TO this fund which might be either d.
lninished, or totally done away with, with
out serious detrimcnt 10 the public inter-
ests; and in all such cases take it for
granted, the proper corrective will be APP
piled. If possible, also, some measures
should be adopted TO ensure the more reg
ular payment OF the Territorial tax into the
treasury by the county collectors, much
delay and irregularity in this particular
having heretofore prevailed.
The reports of the Auditor Of Public
Accounts, Commissioner of Public Build
ings, and Warden of the Penitenliary, not
being yet before me, am unable to COM
municate to the Legislature any informa-
ton in relation to those subjects WHICH it
is not already in possession of. These
documents will doubtless be forthcoming
at the proper time; and at a day early
enough to admit of such action in reference
to them as in your judgement will best
advance the public interests.
The evils of over legislation are so gen.
orally acknowledged, that any attempt by
me to impress that important truth upon
your minds, would justly be looked upon
as supererogation. AT the same time that
we concede the evil, however, we have not
avoided running into it, for perhaps 10
community ever suffered more severely
from the cause in question, than have the
people ofIowa. Stability in the laws )sup-
posing them to be wisely framed is of the
utmost importance to those for whose ben
eft they were enacted; but with us, few
enactments are permitted to remain long
enough on the statute book to permit their
wisdom to be tested. The magnitude of
the evil is felt and complained Of by the
public; ami | should feel that paat Of my
duty had been omitted, did pass by the
subject without, in some manner, alluding
to it. In view of our admission into the
Union as State at an early period, the
fewer the changes made in our stat
ute book, the better. Acts Of pernicious
tendency, it is true, sonld not be permit
ted to remain in existence after being test
ed and condemned by time; but the point
to be avoided is, legislation for legislation's
sake. / trust and believe. that the Legis-
lature will be found to entertain views on
This subject similar TO nv own, and that.