Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-02-21
The Act fn Relation to the I'M
prOVement. -

tlis law lUT ltie DeUe0t OF our reauefS.
The first section abolislies the present
Board
The 2nd suspends the land sales.
The Ord and 4lh sections provides for
he appointment by the Governor of a
Commissioner and Register, to take
'harge o. the Work-to hold their of.
ices from the Isl February 1851 for
Two years. And the 5lh section makes
provision for The like appointments al the
ocular Session, 1898.
The 9Th section requires that the
Commissioner shall take the personal
oversight and control of the work, and
n all his acts have special reference to
he permanently and early completion of
he work, he shall have charge OF Books
nd papets and perform all the duties
INV devolving on the President.
The 9Th section devolves the duties
low performed by the Secretary and
Treasurer. upon The Register.
SEC. 8. The Commissioner and Reg.
lister are hereby authorized to contract
with any individual, or individuals, com.
pany, or companies, for The completion
If that part of the improvement of said
river, at and below Keosauqua, by al
lowing the contractors in payment for
such work, as the same progresses, any
portion of the lands granted for the jim
provement of said river which lie below
Racoon Forks, at price not less than
one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre,
and i! the lands lying below the Racoon
Forks can no, be disposed Of upon such
terms as to procure the completion of
he works mentioned in this section, af-
er having made provision for the pay.
ment of the present liabilities of said
work, the Commissioner aud Register
are hereby authorized and empowered
to contract and consent, on the part of
The State, TO surrender 10 such contrac-
tor or contractors, the water rents Of the
power created by the above improve
ment, and also to tolls Of the locks, upon
such conditions and for such time as
will compensate such contractor or con-
shall not exceed in their average rate
those now charged on the Monongahals
river in the State of Pennsylvania; nor
shall the water power thus 10 be sutren-
dered include the water power needed
Tor the purposes Of lockage; nor shall the
contract above contemplated be catered
into unless il will secure the completion
of the improvement above mentioned.
SEC. 8. The said Commissioner and
Register have the same power to build
dams and Jocks above Keosauqua, al,
such points as they may deem necessary
for the best Interests of the improvement,
as has heretofore been given by law TO
The Board of Public Works; and they
are hereby authorized and required to
huild at any point above Keosauqua,
provided they can get an individual or
company 10 build the dam and abu,ment
at the same point for the use of the wa
ter power thus created; the dam TO be
huiIl according to the plans and sprciii-
cations adopted for said improvement:
and provided further that said dam and
lock shall be located a. such point, or
po n,s, as will assist in carrying out the
general system of said improvements,
and shah be paid for from the lands gran
ted above The R4ccoOn Forks.
SEC. 10. If no satisfactory arrange
meni can be made by which the locks
and dams now under contract can be
finished as specified above, the said
Commissioner and Register may make
such arrangement as to complete such
portions of said improvement as will
secure the navigation Of said river for
the longest period of time in each year.
SEC. IL. In all contracts herein con-
.em plated the individual or individuals,
company or companies SO contracted
with. shall look alone to the fluids and
Sec. IL. Requires that the Contrac-
tors shall complete the work in such
manner as the Commissioner may re-
quire.
The 18th Section makes the Registers
signature necessary as voucher OF Re
ceipis, loans. payments, DC.
The l4th declares that no contract
shall be valid till approved by the Gov
ernor.
Fhe 18th permits the sale Of any
other land donated for the improvement,
upon the approval Of the Governor.
BY the l6ih Section, the actual settler
on the lands on the first day OF April
shall be entitled TO purchase them till
the first day Of July, and no contract oil
sale to any one else shall be valid.
The l7th and 18Th requires the Reg.
lister to make out triplicale receipts &c.
Sec. 10. Authorizes the Commission.
er To discharge the engineers, and re.
quires him to employ only such number
as may be strictly necessary. ..
Sec. 30. Fixes the Salary Of Com
missioner and Register at $1,000 each
as their only compensation.
Sec. %. Requires the Commissioner
to take measures 10 remove such dams
as obstrnct the navigation, and TO re-
move distractions near the mouth if he
deems it necessary 10 the interests OF the
improvement.
Sea. %. Makes it the duty Of tho
Register 10 execute deed withOu
charge therefor.
Sec. "a. Authorizes Governor 10 ap.
mint Commissioners and Register wher