Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-09-29
seat Of Gover,sincnt.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 90. ,s47.
seat Of Government.
Il will Be long, we fear, before Iowa
win recover from the effects Of the evil
brought upon her BY the bad and reckless
liquidation Of the last session Of the Gen
svai Assembly. That which they should
have done, they did not do the most inn
possant part Of that which they did do,
va badly done, and that which they ought
not to have done, they did do.
1,Proninent among the latter class ofacts,
wss one for the relocation Of the sest Of
government Of the State. This measure
was carried through without regard to
party lines, upon local division between
The South and the North.
Asths organ ofthe party At the capital,
" wish to avoid, if possible, coming in
eontsct with the local ~ sectional inter-
ssts x any portion 81 The Sis This we
dapss apprshssd ~ IN ~ of do
ing.in any rensrls wBls6 ~ iasy have 70
make adverse to the new location Of the
capital which has juet been made. It is
admitted on al hands that Iowa City is
now west Of the majority Of the popula-
ton Of the State, and that it is likely to be
the most convenient point for the seat Of
government for at least twenty years 10
rome. 1t istequally clear, although the
TACT is Just beginning to be brought 10
light, (and that from the pereerinations If
the commissioners themselves. that the
country lying west Of a line drawn north
and south from the point selected as the
new capital, is not susceptible Of more
than one third as dense population as the
portion east Of the same line. irrespective
Of the fact that there is not at present ev-
en- one legislative district entirely west Of
the new location. To say nothing of the
Inconvenience TO the people, the increas-
Cd expense in the way Of mileage Of the
members of the General Assembly, for
the next quarter Of century would be
no small item. Besides all this, the pres
ent capitol, which has been built at cost
Of over $50, 1000 would be next TO dead
loss to the State, and a new one would
have to be built, at time when the peo-
pie are the least able to incur the burthen
Of extra taxation, and that too, for an oh.
jsct Of questionable benefit, even to their
remotest posterity.
For ourselves, we can see nothing but
vexation, expense and trouble, as the pro-
bable and inevitable results Of this meas
ure. Ifany Of our editorial brethren can
see it in different light, we should be
pleased to hear from them. There is not a
place in the State, where newspaper is
printed, but would be more convenient
for = majority 0: the members to meet in
General Assembly, than this "future seat
Of government" and we venture to cay,
that if that body was now in session, not
five votes could be obtained in favor of the
location which has juet been made.
It is no part Of our intention in the
remarks which we have here made, to GEN.
sure the Commissioners. The blame rests
with these by whom they were appointed.
But We would be recreant to our duty,
were we not 10 warn the public against
this speculation. 1t can be regarded in
no other light than as grand humbug,
about to be perpetrated "by authority"
Having said our say, and given our warn
ing upon this subject, we leave the public
10 form their conclusions from the obvious
circumstances Of the case. We do rot in
tend to give ourselves any further trouble
about the matter; as the next Legislature
will set it right by nearly a unanimous
vote. In the meantime, it remains to be
seen who are to be the dupes.
Wood Wanted at this Office.
Al fall has come and winter is drawing
on space, we would respectfully inform