Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-01-19
Removal Of thS Capital.

- $500 SS'ss S'Ai ~ - ~ esAsSSN
Get. Though regarding It as . very im-
portant question Y state policy, ye, as
Ehsre i q prevailing disposition in some
quarters to set down any expression touch
ing it TO the account Of mere sectional pres
we have not deemed it our du-
ty to enter at length upon its discussion.
Nor, though we have been most ungener-
ously represented in this matter, by more
than one Of our cotemporaries, DO we con.
slider it necessary to rei'erate our dis
claimer, against the faeat iiea,ion Of the
Reporter" with any sectional interest
whatever.
II we are to have thus early or soon
or late "a new capital, all We desire is,
that such measures be adopted as will pre-
clude the possibility Of any further vascil-
lation and make the new location our per.
n.anent seat o. government. This, as cit
lien oflhe state which we have chosen as
our permanent abiding place, and which,
whatever else it may deny US, will doubt
less in the enl afford US a hospitable,
though narrow home, we do most earnest
" desire; and this every enlightened con-
sideration, as we'll as Of private interest, as
Of public policy, loudly demands.
Who desires to see our capital travel
ling over the state. from place to place, for
half a century hence? Do the people Of
Monroe City, who have there taken up
their abode with the view Of proti,iDg by
the new location, wish to see this? Sup.
pose that the matter be permitted to rest
where it nov is-lhat no further action be
taken by the present or succeeding Legis-
lature, but 10 sanction the acts OF the Com
missioncrs how long do they suppose
they will enjoy the benefits of,he capital?
Do they flat,er themselves that the Legis.
lature will hold its sessions there more
than twice or thrice at most? Vain hope!
1t will not be long ere louder complaint
Of bad faith on the part OF the state, with
a corresponding demand for indemnify,
will be heard from Monroe City and the
surround prairie, than that which will be
with greater cause preferred by the people
of Iowa City and vicinity on the actual re-
moval Of the capit,! from them.
Then We say, whenever the capital shall
be removed, let it not 90 on wheels which
cannot be Withdrawn IRON it when ar,iv
ed at its immediate destination: but lie, it
move to permanent location by the strong
will Of the people, and thea where it set
ties down it will stay. BY this course we
en- secure thriving town for our capitsl,
with fac public buildings and, in he
course Of lime, excellent institutions OF
learning aid charitable institutions for the
deaf, dumb, blind, Sc.
For the present, we have an eles ant
State House at To- va City, which, even in
its unfinished condition, answers very
good purpose. If finished according TO
the original de sign, i, would vie with the
capital OF any state in the Union. As it is,
it is better one than could be built with
all the lois in Monroe City, ii devoted ex =
cla'ively to that purpose. With the small
appropriation made for that purpose at the
last session OF the General Assembly, the
State Treasurer has effected very mate
rial improv ement in that building. Had
the five sections been jndicousIy selected
and faithfully applied to the otjec, for
which granted, nearly enough money might
have been realized from their sale to com
plete the work Of this splendid edifce. -
What has been done in this respect, can
not, perhaps, be undone; but with small
additional expense, the capital can be suf-
ficienlly completed to answer all practical
purposes.
Our main object in now advertiag TO the
subject, Is merely to instance the unanitn.
'ty Of public sentiment throughout he
State with reference to the new location.
II is remarkable tact, that the dissaiis-
faction manifested, has been deeper and
more general throughout the Desmoines
Valley-the very region that was to have
been mainly benefited by the measure Of
removal, and which it is generally conee-
dcd will ultimately gel the capital : than in
any ctaer portion Of the State. The peo-
pie of The North, looking upon the move
with sincere regret, have nevertheless
been very quiet, and have RETAINED from
any expression of such violence ana
warmth as to aggravate sectional prejadi-
ces. '
The Desmoines Valley papers have all
freely expressed their disapproval; though
one of them-the "Valley Whig':-has
very recently, from some unaccountablc
motive, been feebly attempting to pipe an
other tune. The same may be said Of all
~ lox II.