Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-06-23
wing humbug, and the futility Of their ef

wing humbug, and the futility Of their ef-
forts to identify US as an opponent Of that
Improvement I'VE re- publish below another
paragraph from an article published in the
Reporter near two years ago, with refer
ence to the Memphis Convention. We
then thought that convention might have a
beneficial influence in advocating the in
terests of the Mississippi Valley; but the
sequel has proved that its tendency was
highly injurious to those interests. The
Chicago convention is 60. up with the
same views, but by more reckless and
corrupt set Of political nountebanks, head
ed by the traitor Wentworth.
The following paragraph occurred in
the article Of the Reporter above alluded
to, of Sept. 24th, 1886:
"We anticipate the most beneficial results as
consequence of the measures to be adopted BY
this convention. Every citizen of Iowa is d.
rectly interested in its deliberations If, as has
been stated, that region of country alone, for
which Burlington is the port of entry, expert
ence,, in ore year, (ls37,) loss of more than
$4,000, in consequence OF the obrtructions on
the lower rapids, what ali immense detriment
must result to the interests Of the whole Terri
tory from all the Instructions of the Mississippi:
These losses are principally in the advanced
price Of produce, from the exorbitant rate Of
transportation, and they are heavily felt by all
classes, but most severely by the agricultural
portion of our population. In Justice to the
West these distractions should be removed, and
we are convinced that Government would not
be the loser by it."
We have ever regarded the Reporter as op-
posed to Internal Improvement by the General
Governmental Standard.
So we are, and ever have been, and we
defy the Standard to cite clause in the
constitution granting to Congress the right
or the power to engage IN works of
internal improvement. But Congress has
the right, under the grant Of powers for
the common defence and general welfare,
to make such provision as is necessary to
improve the necessary harbors on the
lakes, and to render safe and expeditions
the navigation Of the Mississippi river,
which penetraits the entire Union from
north to south, and no part of which lies
entirely within the jurisdiction of any one
State. To this kind of improvement we
are not opposed. 1t is not properly an in
ternal Improvement, as the Mississippi
may be regarded as great arm Of the sea.
If it lay entirely within any one or two or
more States, the case would be different,
If we predicate our claim for an appro-
priation for the improvements of the Miss
issippi on the ground assumed by the
federaiists, that it is competent for Con-
gress, under the constitution, to engage
in and prosecute internal improvement at
their discretion, it cannot constitutionally
be granted. So our readers will see that
the tendency Of the federal doctrine is to
defeat this great project. Let the people
reflect upon these things, and scrutinize
.le.ely e.. .."-.e and policy nf fhnaa ruho,
for political effect, make such great pro-
LESSONS Of exclusive devotion to the pub
lie welfare. Those who really wish to
see the Mississippi Rapids improved, if
they are not blindly attached to federalism,
will vote for Shepherd Letter or VIM.
Thompson, as the case may be, for Rep
resentative to Congress.