Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-01-05
VOLUME.


WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 81 ,s4s.. Il
re %. NOISES Inprroyelneps-,,
5lEoR Local, Qaesliens. .,,,s
We learn fromahs Keokak Register, and
ether sources, chat project is On foot for
aiver,ing the donation oflands lor improv,
ing he Deanoipes river 70 the construc-
ton Of railroad from the NJ mississippi ID
some point high up on.the Desmoines. =
Seine Of the Desmoinss Valley papers
are combating this project, as though they
we're apprehensiys Of strong effort TO
carry il out at the present session. The
grant having been made and accepted for
.specifc object, tits scarcely necessary
to say that tho diversion cannot be made
without the sanction Of Congress-.
II is maintained, on the, one hand, thai
the Desmoines is not susceptible of such
Improvement As TO result in much perma-
Hent benefitto the section Immediately in.
terested, or to the State at large, much
less in q benefit commensurate with the
great valueafthe magnificent grant; while,
on the other hand, the truth Of this posit-
ton il sdenied in toto, and it is contended
that the railroad project is merely. a scheme
TO advance sectional interest. To sum up
the whole matter in brief, it is evident
that sectional interests are permitted to
exercise BY far too much influence in the
disposition Of this grant. perhaps on both
sides Of the question. asas s9 .s.t:T .lo.
We are not sufficiently informed in the
premises to express an opinion npon the
merits Of this question. It may be . seri-,
Gus one, whether the interests ofthe south
western portion the State, and, as nat
ural consequence, Of the State at large,
would not be better subseryed by the con,
stfuction Of railroad; Of this, however,
the members from that portion of the State
oughtto bethe best judges. But, If enter
tanned at all, we trust that the question may
be divested Of all sectional jealousies. and
treated with that calm elaboration due 10
such an important measure of public pol.
ICY. lis much 10 be regretted that local
interests and prrjudices should be permit
ted, in the very incipient stages of our
government, to enter. SO largely into our
state legislation-.as eyinced by afew meas
ures of the; last session, and the results Of
oneof them not alludiug 10 that now un
der consideration with the dissatisfaction
aud strife which have ensued. This is The
great bane Of state legislation, and has
been the moving cause of more confusion,
embarrassment and distress 10 many ofthe
older states, than any other one, save and
except the fostering hand extended to the
banking anc stock jobbing interests. Tn.
less the spirit evinced be early checked,
We may bid long adieu to that stability
which is so absolutely essen.iel to public
prosperity. - g -t#
Il was not our intention now to ex press
an opinion as to the true policy with ref
erence to the measure under considera.
lion; but merely - throw out few such
hints as we considered the future welfare
OF our State to demand; and further. to
suggest question as to the propriety Of
any definite action upon the subject at the
present session. The act "crea,inp
State Board Of Internal Improvement" Sc
did not contemplate report from thai
Board, nor any further legislative action,
until the next rtsalar meeting Of the Gen.
Assembly The fsasibity Of the. improve
nsnt, and the propriety of proceeding 10
It's prosecution, being in the mean time
lett to the discretion Of the Board, under
the counsel Of a competent state engineer.
we suggest this question with much
d'fhdence, and only as question, 80 Gar as
the policy in that immediate behalf is con-
cerned. Should promiscuous legislation,
however, be entered upon. in consequences
"aprotraction Of the session beyond what
o's been anticipated by the people Ia con-
.nsency to be deprecated BY every true
friend to his coun,ry--in that event, we
may take occasion to give. our views more
'u''y. 10 our opinion. there Is one, ques.
''on' and out one, partsking in the slight.
eadeeree Of q local character, which the
present Legislature will be justiiiable il
entertaining and acting upon at it'd extra
session. We allude to the Capital ques-
a0n' This, though in the main 8 local
question at first, has since become o. o.e d
sne most vital interest to the state at large.
Presents itself in quits new aspect, and
any action had upon il, can only 10 re.
sarded - highly important measure Of
aa's policy, in which, whatever Of sec.
.''n aAll' o. private interest may be- at stake,
10 sWallOwed M :, IL