The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-12-14
Whole number reported.

Whole number reported, 1870
Several of the counties have failed 10 for
ward an abstract in obedience To the act
above mentioned. However irksome tho
performance OF this species Of military duty
may 10 some appear. il cannot he denied
that a well organized militia il, in every
point Of view. essentially necessary in this
State: and, without further comment, I
would suggest tina, at least such an organi-
zaiou be effected as will entiile us To re-
ccive our quota OF arms from the general
government.
~ the special session in January last tho
General Assembly forwarded memorial
to Congress praying for m appropriation
Of lands fer the construction of n rnil road
from Dnhulur 10 keoknk. through the in
,eiior al the State. II was there referred
to a committee, the chairman al which. it
is understood. repnr,ed adversely Ia the
PRAYER oi the memorial, on the ground that
the route had not been snrve, ed. nor its
prac,Icahili:y and distance reported. 4
rail Rad through the centre at our State
would mos; emlnentlv contribute Ia the de-
other resources. The efforts Of the Leris-
la'nrc u ob'ain from Congress n donation
Of land for that purpose, must he source
If extreme qualification 10 the people OF the
State; md notwithstanding the failure Of
those efforts. for causes above stated, there
are powerful reasons for a repetition at the
attempt Ia obtain the desired dona,ion.-
Before another memorial is presented. how
ever. il seems it will lie necessary TO make
a survey Of the contemplated route. and Ia
l,y before Congress MI the information re-
alive thereto. TINT can be conveniently OBJ
tanned. Whether YOU vii! deem il cxpcd;-
eni to leave this preliminary labor to pri-
vatc enterprise md energy. or adop, such
measures as will secure its performance on
the par, Of the State, will he question
properly belonging TO YOU TO decide. Should
Won deem it yeur duty Ia renew the appli-
cation on the part Of the State, there would
seem no improperly in furnishing Con-
crcss. n, the expense Of the State, nil ne
cessary information connected with such
application.
Il may not be- improper 10 state here,
that have received copies of resolutions
adopted by tho legislatures Of several u
the Stntes. approving 81 Mr.. Assn Whit
ney's plan of rail road TO connect the At
laniic and Pacific Oceans; md which RES
oluiions contain instructions to the repre-
sentatives in Congress from those States.
requesting them IT, give The project their
support. X is believed that this subject
will be vigorously pressed upon the nticn-
ton of Congress nt its coming session.
Should this project or similar ono be ia
vorablv viewed BY Congress. il may not be
unworthy oi consideration whether n sub.
segment application by you to that body foe
n donation Of land Tor rail road through
the centre of this State. might not be part
Is based upon the fact that such road could
be made IN form one Of the links in the
creat chain Of railroads connecting the At
lan,ic and Pacific. A road connecting
with the Chica 70 and Gnlena road. and
then running through the centre Of this
S,ate to Council Bluffs, would. il il belicv-
ed. effect that object. and nj the same time
be Of grea. advantage to our citizens. But
whatever mav be thought Of this suggestion.
should Won deem it your duty 10 present
another memorial to Congress for dona.
,;or of land Cor railroad through the
State. l trust ut least TINT such route will
~ selected Ms will advance the best infer
ests az the people.
The Board Of Public Works have receiv-
ed thirty thousand dollars from tho sale 1t
the lnnds granted nv Congress TO aid in
tho Improvement Of the navigation of tho
Des Moines river, and one halle that sum