Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-07-05
For the Burlington Hawk-Eye.

FRIEND EDwARDs-I have noticed with
| pleasure in the columns Of the Hawk-Eye,
as we'll as from private spondents the
movement in regard to a plank road from
Burlington to Mount Pleasant. After a
three years residence in your part of the
State, | am fully convinced that more
liberal spirit in regard to internal improve
menls, and incorporated bodies must be
felt, and practiced, by the people Of Iowa,
before she will take rank las she is inev-
itably destined to do not as one Of the first,
but The very first agricultural and manu-
featuring States in the west.
Her soil and climate-with prairie and
timber so equal, distributed must make
Iowa the great agricultural State, while
her water power for hydraulic purposes
in connection with the mineral deposites,
| will most naturally land to extensive man.
ufacturing. This plank road is but one
important step in your advancement,-bu
one of very great importance to the coun-
ties Of Henry, Desmoines, and portions
Of the adjacent counties-and am much
surprised to see any lack of energy, or
want Of liberal feeling exhibited particu-
larly by the farmers-who of all others
will reap the harvest of such an enter
prise. ! regret l cannot give you some
statistics, more valuable than verbal rep
reservations by men familiar with the New
York, and Canada plank roads. am in
formed by men long acquainted with these
roads, that they are entirely practicable
through any country where timber can be
had at a moderate price--and their utility
may best be understood from the fact Of
their stock even where they run parallel
with rail road and canal-being in all ca
ses more valuable than the latter. The
plan published some time since in your
paper for the construction of the road, is,
SO far as / can learn the proper one. The
stringers should be wide, two at each side
Of the road for the purpose of breaking
joints, and the plank, so far as practicable
should be clear Of knots, as they make Gre
ate a projection after a few years wear,
and retard very much the ease Of draft.
trust there will be no retrograde move
ment, or lack of energy by any one inter-
ested in this important work ;-and have
no reason 10 apprehend any, where such
men as your worthy mayor, have to some
extent the management.
l have said that this is but one impor-
tant step in your advancement" The lead
ing one have ever considered was the
construction Of rail road from Lake
Michigan, due west through Iowa,-very
nearly, or upon the line surveyed by
Whitney, for his Pacific rail road.
J This in very few years would connect
the upper Mississippi with the Atlantic
by an iron chain, and would open immedi-
ateiy to the people of Iowa, by rail road and
steam or sail vessel, a northern market,
always twenty five TO thirty per cent bet
ter than southern. The self styled de-
mocracy of Iowa must abandon the idea
that all incorporated bodies are created
to legalize swindling upon large scale
and that all internal improvements are un-
constitutional or if they do not as gene
raj thing believe this themselves, (and l
sincerely believe they do not, they must
abandon the support Of politicians that will
whenever an opportunity offers, carry out
those absurd notions, TO the destruction of
the best interests of any State. Iowa has
all the natural advantages requisite in a
great State. Her population is industri-
Gus, and generally intelligent. No State
in the Union can show so favorable prison
statistics, and l for one hope to live to
see the day when whig principles will
predominant SO far as to blot out part, and
revise the balance Of your present State
constitution. When your Legislature will
look with some favor upon sound banking
institutions and pursue liberal, but not
extravagant course in regard TO internal
improvements. then your State will be
sought out by the industrious and perseve-
ring, as place just suited TO their goa
head disposition, where they can accumu-
late wealth, and build up cities and towns
and bythelless energetic, but more wealthy
class as home when good and prof.
table investment may be made of their
Surplus cash.
Then the farmer will realize fair re-
Enumeration for his hard toll, from the mer-
chant who purchases his surplus produce,
and is able TO give him better prices, and
realize himself better profits.
Very truly, J. A. P.
Chillicothe, Ohio, June 10, 1919.
DEATH OF G. T. M. DAv1s.--The St.
Louis papers inform US of the death of G
h1 - ~.