Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-05-30
THE REPORTER.
TO a r:
WEDNESDAY ,::::::::::::::::::MAY 80. 1849.
The Board Of Public Works and
the Bond business.

TIC l6Ot1O DuSAGcSSs
Our attention has. recently been called
to an article in the State Gazette, relative
to the Board of Public Works, which had
escaped our observation, not
withstanding the fact that we are as close
readers as we are sincere admirers of the
general views expressed through the edi-
torial columns of that sterling sheet. The
article in question insinuated that attacks
had been made upon the Board by demo-
cratic papers, which attacks the editor did
not approve. Now, if refusalto endorse
all the official acts and recommendations
OF the Board, together with our personal
efforts and earnest remonstrances, as pri-
vate individuals, during the sitting Of the
against the celebrated Bond
business, be construed into attacks upon
the Board, then we have rendered our
selves liableto the imputation. It is true,
we have published one or two communi-
cations, rejecting rather pointedly upon
the tenacity with which certain members
ofthe Board advocated the anti democrat
ic and ruinous policy which would have
involved the State to an almost indefinite
extent, through the issue of from 5000,
600 to $50O.00O worth Of State Bonds,
bearing 10 per cent annual interest, re-
deemable in twenty years, for the prose-
cution of the Desmoines improvement
As far as relates to the ruinous tendency
Of the bond policy, we cordially concur in
the views expressed by our correspon-
dent; while regard for truth compels us
to admit the truth of his charge, to the eff
feet that the President, at least, if not one
other member Of the board in attendance
upon the sitting Of the Legislature, were
the originators OF at least one and the main
advocates of all the bills before the Leg
i>lature, authorizing the issue of bonds.
Let us not be understood now as wish
ing to censurc these members who were
induced TO vote Fer those bills, from false
as to the focal advantages which
would thereby be secured 10 their imme
date constituents, nor yet as entirely ex-
culpating them from blame for the act
The task which we have set ourselves
down to, is TO defend ourselves against the
imputation Of hostility towards>the Board
of Public Works, ii, as we suppose, we
were included in the list of democra,ic
journals whom the Gazette intmates as
hostile 10 some of its acts. Such hostility
we do not feel. The members Of the Board
are our political, and uost of them we be-
lieve, have always been our warm per-
sonal friends. But this fact cannot blind
our eyes so far as to believe them invul-
nerable in all their official acts and recon-
mendations. Neither can it so far alter
or blunt our understandings, as to induce
us to believe that a course of policy which,
in whig administration, would meet the
unqualified censure and merited disappro-
baton OF the democracy Of the State, must,
as matter Of course, be regarded as free
from censuTe or reproach when advocated
by a set Of men who have been elevated
to place by the high voice of tie lemocra-
cy Of the State.
The censurable feature of the bills re-
lative TO the Board of Public Works.
(Which, as every member and locker .on
here last winter well knows, was strongly
advocated by certain its members, was
a clause, introduced with The most per-
verse perseverance, upon its successive
reputation, into three serernl JiUs) autho-
rized the issue, in advance of the sale of
he lands, of bonds of the State, predica-
ted upon the Dcsmoines' grant, equal TO
Sl.OO for erery acre of land contained inI
said grant. These bonds were to be re-
!eemable ID twenty years, and were toI
bear an interest of 10 per cent per an1um.
As it is not to be expected that the State
would be able to pay an interest Of from
$40, 900 10 So 900, on 5000, 900 or $780,
700 worth of bonds, the natural conse-
luence would have been doubtless in a
ew years,a debt Of several millions of dol. |
airs accumulating yearly against the State,
without the hope of ultimate redemption.
Thus much we deem necessary to say,
n Justification of any remarks of ours
which may have been construed into wan
on and unprovoked censure, by those un-
cquaintel with the facts which have call
d, and called loudly, too. we think, for
he expression Of sentiments of decided
isapprobation from US as conductors Of
'ublic, and especially democratic Jour
'al, looking to the future financial credit
t the State and to the well-being of our
arty.