Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-12-06
what OF the Rivcrrmproycment.

Cetn HtIuEu utEtlOIOTc) tHc InttFest We
feel in the matter prompts us just now
to make few remarks in further eluci-
;lation of our views, by way OF a iriend-
ly word of advice.
The immense importance OF this work,
to the prosperity of the people of the
valley is fully realized, only by a very
few of those most interested in its COM
pleiion; while very many citizens up the
river, discouraged by the slow progress
and bad management of affairs, are rea.
dy to despair of its ultimate completion
within any reasonable period. Were it
possible to impress the community with
a clear and adequate conception Of the
great advantages to result to the best half
of the State, by the construction of slack
water navigation TO Fort Des Moiues,
there would be concentration of effort
and unity of purpose throughout the en-.
tire valley, that would merge all other
considerations in this one great object,
and thereby secure its successful prose-
cution.
All that is necessary On this subject TO
impress he minds Of the people with
the important benefits of the Improve
ment, is, that they reflect upon the
change, that safe and easy steamboat
navigation, with reasonable fare and
freights for passengers, merchandise and
produce, would cause, along the whole
line of the river, and all The country
within many miles of its banks. lie,
them conceive the rapid increase of pop
ulaiion, the wide spread agricultural i'm.
provement, the vast development of re-
sources and the mighty stimulus, that it
would furnish to labor and capital, TO
multiply continually the inexhausiible
sources of wealth existing in the valley,
and every scheme of local aggrandize-
ment will sink into insigniicancc.
Admitting that the citizens of the re-
gion designated, were fully aware OF the
Importance Of this matter, and ready 10
engage with full purpose of heart in its
accomplishment, there are still many
difficulties in the way. and prudence and
energy are required, TO remove or over
come these difficulties.
| In the first place, Gen. Dodge in fra
ming this law, did not design to extend
the grant beyond the Forks, and his ac-
ton, and that of our Governor aud Leg.
stature, in the early days Of ths grant,
estopped the State from claiming as q le-
gal right the extension of The grant be-
yond that point. The subsequen. &C.
ton of the State and United States Of
| fcers, however have involved the matter
in doubt and the fact that the State acted
on the presumption that the grant ex-
tended to the boundary of the State, and
the further fact. that The Commissioners
Of the Land Office, backed by the Sec
rotary of The Treasury, acquiesced in
the claim of the State, furnish strong
grounds for the exercise of the liberality
of Congress in the premises, eve sho' d
/
! it fail TO produce favorable decision by
| the Executive Department. Taking il
for granted then, that every possible ex-
erlion will be made on the part of the
State, TO obtain this grant to the full ex-
tent claimed, and believing that these
exertions will be successful is
then 10 be done in order 10 secure a
speedy and successful prosecution of the
improvement!
| Ii must be admitted on all hands that il
can never be accomplished, if it shall
continue to be administered as it has
heretofore been. The current monthly
sales OF lands will afford but small
sum to apply as payment TO contractors.
after the Spartan Band, composed Of the
Board, the Engineers and their hangers
on, have each withdrawn their pile
from The Treasury.
There must be thorough and radical
change in the entire system. Some plan
must be adopted by which the expenses
attending the management of the I'm
provement shall be reduced, whilst at
the same time the ayaiIs of the sales of
lands may be anticipated. In other
words the number and salaries of mem.
bers Of the Board and employees must
be diminished, and tie land be speedily
converted by some means into funds for
the payment of contractors on the work.
Every consideration Of reason, the die
tates of sound policy, motives of inter-
est and the experience of other States
point 10 this course as the true and only