Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1849-01-24

rectly opposed 10 the doctrine co,terasa
'or ny the advocates of this bill. Thev
required me, before entering upon INV van an.
ties as Senator, to take an oath II simmer,
; the constitution. ! have taken that oath
and prefer adhering TO it strictly. in pre.
ference 10 violating il for any temporary
advantage which ! might realize in an Ell.
lori TO conc'iiate any local feeling, or by
panderlng to any local preiudices, in on.
position to the best interest oil tile Siatte.-
Sif' allow me to inform the gentleman. that
should my efforts TO defeat this policv \.
successful, shall not sh,nk from anv re.
sponsioli,ty, which the act may throw u3-
I on me. II the Improvement must be sion
sponsibility HsIlp mop nMtom. will the re.
sustain the constitution, and act with =
view to the interest Of the whole State, or
tnose who have the management of thi,
WORK! The constitution and law are the
same noW: as they We're when the Board
o. Iuoiic works were elected; and the law
making thsgrant is the same, hence. If tho
board have been guilty of extravaganza.
II they have transcribed the conditions Of
'he grant, and assumed responsibilities un-
authorized by law, let the facts be pre-
sented from the proper source, so that the
responsibility may rest where it properly
belongs, and then Imay be ready to change
our policy and extend relief. SO far as Ire
constitution and due regard for the in
teres' OF the state may permit. But until
then sha!lmost certainly oppose any and
every proposition which will tend 10
change or modify our constitution or the
law making the grant. If the members Of
the Board have put under contract some
i've hundred thousand dollars worth of
work IN opposition to sound policy, and in
violation OF law, that is no reason WHY we
should violate the constitution, and EN-.
bark in an enterprise fraught with such
mlschlevous consequences, which must
seriously involve the interest of the whole
State. And what astonishes me more
than all, is, that men protesting to be de-.
moerats-men who in times gone by, !
have looked to with feelings Of pride and
satisfaction, should now be found advoca-
ting policy which we have denounced as
eS'rayagant, and which is in direct viola
ton Of the spirit Of our constitution. .s
But, say gentleman, you are protected
in your claim rights, and you ught to be
salts shed: We, sir, have rights as COM
munlty that are sacred to US. and without
which we have no individual rights worth
con'ending for. AS community we
have a ght to the settlement and improve
ment Of our country, and any policy
whicl, denies to us that right, is at war
with our best interests. What. tell me
that ought to be satisfied to submit TO a
policy which mortgages and withholds
from sale and settlement strip of land,
ten miles in width, through the centre of
one OF the counties in my district, and that
too, to raise funds to be expended in anoth-
er portion OF the state. Sir, we will new
er submit to such policy, without first
using every honorable means in our pow
er to defeat it,, and entering our solemn
protest against it. And ! ask Senators
! from other portions Of the State, if they
are willing to sacrifice the best interest
and dearest rights OF the people of the up
per end OF the Desmiones Valley, in or
der to crafty the wishes and serve the in
terests OF the people of few counties,
who, by virtue Of their numerical strength
seek to accomplish what they care TO, at
tempt by fair and honorable means. Give
10 my constituents the RIGHT 20 purchase
their lands unincumbered by mortgages of
any kind, and You may take the money
and experd ii where you please. But take
the avails Of our lands, ana eiyeu no right
to buy and improve them, without incum-
brance and youinAict upon us an injury for
which, no adequate compensation can ever
be expected by the Improvement ofthe ri
yer. But even should the advantages Of
the Improvement be mrch greater than the
injury sought to be inflicted upon us by
the passage Of this bill, still there is an IN,
jury and a wrohg inflicted upon the people
OF the upper Desmoines Valley, that has
no excuse or sufficient iustiiications.---
These people have right 10 the equal
participation in the advantages of the I'M
provement with those living nearer the
mouth Of the river,with the same right TO
acquire title, by purchase, to their
lands, heing within tl's grant. ~
Mr.. President, should all my Efforts TO
defeat this bond system, prove unavailing,
and should the unjust act be at last con-
summated, by which nearly one half OF the
land in my county would be wilhheldiro
sale, and pledged for the redemption Of
these bonds, drawing ten per cent inter-
est, and running twenty years, scattered
TO the four winds OF Heaven. and each
mortgage upon our lands, issued TO COM
plete work that is not intended 10 reach
our county; still shall anticipate with
the utmost confidence a speedy check to
the carrying of This partial and unjust sys-
tenn into effect. The people in whom all
political power rests, and who have the
final control Of all political and social mat
tiers, and who will revise and pass upon
all our acts, will most assuredly not long
remain silent in a matter in which their
interests are 50 seriously involved. and
their voice when fairly and fully express
ed, is as irresistible as the decree Of fate
itself. To them would Submit this CUES
ton, with the fullest confidence in the JUS
ticc Of their decision. '..-....-.r .ssr.
WIscoSsIs.-lhe Legislature Of Wis
consin commenced its session at Madison