Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1849-12-21

ueaI im0usly by tie eEowd.
AZ 49, - i Ii e8i. ea9a
The River Improvement.
In our last number we gave two short
extracts from Col. Curtis Report, set.
ting forth hissplans for carrying on the
work; but ia, order that our readers may
more clearly understand him we insert
the whole Of his remarks Cd that iiimpors
tant subject.-lEDs. CoURER.
Putting the work under contract on
credit is not an eoenon1ical mode of con-
struction; there are fewn who are able to
bid, and the best workmen arexpot gene
rally able to iay out Of their money un-
til lands viii sell and they be rpaid;it
would be better to borrow the money on
the credit Of the lands and improvement,
and then give out contracts oythe lowest
bidders. This would always open, the
door for competition and let into, the
work thousands of good men who could
not take credit contracts because they
have not means 40 advance and lay out
Of. By pledging the income from the
sale, Of lands. and thsincome which may
be derived from the Improvements, with
out any other pledge, | suppose the nec7s
essary means could bexobtained att per
.&4Ga
cent. PEE Annum, the work completed in
years, and cleared of debt in less thsa
20 years. ~aas q
"Another very natural, and perhaps
economical way Of doing thework would
be to advertise the work entire, to be
made for The lands, and if the lands are
deemed inadequate, then as Q further
compensation, let the CONTRACTORS have,
the right to toll the Improvement for a,
term of years" 80, 80 all
To secure the BEST possible sale, let.
the work be defined and advertised for, a,
period of at least nine months, designa-,
ting the kind Of proposals that would sbe.
received, and soliciting the lowest bids,
in time as the object of competition.-
The con tractor would then bespaida IN
lands as they progressed, apdif they
were to have the use of the work for Al
term Of years, they would be interested
in doing their work well, 50 as ! to need
the least possible repairs. "A company
would thus we furnished with meanss
credit and interest in, the success; and
combining these powers in the hands Of
enterpnsing contractors, the work would
proceed with economy and energy, and
the State would be relieved Of troubles
and expense. Either mode here sug-
gested would probably require Legisla-l.
tive action- end thePlan which have
proposed cannot be carried out wishogt.l
legislation. for there is no law in exist
ence which protects the Board in the
construction Of. canals. )---but the credit
Of the State is not necessary, and no inn
piled or express promise tesinyolys the
people in taxes is requisite, On the
contrary, instead of increasing taxes,
such course would certainly dimiaiuh
our individual taxes, by introducing q
large amount Of taxable property which
would share the bsrthen Of our present
levies. Neither is the plan likely TO put
the lands out of market and delay the
settlement Of the country; for the dis
buFsemept of the money required to
make the work willgive pre-emptors the
means Of buying their lands, and it will
greatly enhance the sdaue 70, those who
desire to sell. The early and certain !
prospect Of completing the work. and
the introduction, Of so much money into
the country, would give new impulse
to emigration, stimulate agricultural ems
orgies, and secure the early development
of the latent resources of the State. Il
would secure the compilation Of agreat
central State work inedyapce Of all other j
improvements, West Of abe Mississippi; !
and thus drawinto this channel current
Of trade which may Otherwise be at
tracted to other contemplated lines Of
improvement. Without darwing doll
lar from the Golfers of the Siats; without
creating State debt; without doing in
justice to settlers: it is only necessary TO-
apply the lands and the first fifteen years 8
net income Of the work 10 secure " tho
State of iowa great State Of National
Improvement, which will favorably COM ?
pare with any Of the great achievements
Of the oldest States. ofaour Union,
Il Whose best works are most trampled3
upon! A Observation-Disclosures good
shoes last longer than bad ones