The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-01-09
DEB tTE
IN IHg
IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
TUESDAY Dec. o., 1850.
DEBATE
TUESDAY DEC. o., 1850.

TOn Tuesday, A. ". the following debate arose
on the third reading OF the bill authorizing the
town OF Davenport To subscribe TO the Stock
OF the Rock Island In Sale Rail X ,ad !.
which is Of Importance sufficient 10 be report
cd at length II was substantially as follows
so far as the r porter could hear and learn the
names OF the speahess
n. Sras FRS said-I am in favor Of passing
the bill, and saail give il my vote, though ] am
opposed % the p.fas'p's OF granting the power IN
auestien. as conf ct:ng with democratic princi-
Piles. The vote oil Davenport, was SO nearly un-
animous, that shall vote for il, under the cir-
cums.ances though do il reluctantly.
MIR Rasstr opposed the bill-tie urged the
righ, Of the minority however small. Ills wrong
TO compel the minority. in corporate action OF .
town, to take stock in the Railroad.
Mr.. HAM spoke in favor OF the bill. He al
iuded 10 the alrno., unanimous action OF the
town OF Davenport, and Of Scott county, in favor
Of raising money in THIS way, Mr.. Summers in
,erupiing him for abiding to the proceedings Of
the coustt, as out Of order. Mr.. iiaun resumed.
and said Nr. Summers, as every voter IN Scott
county well knows, was pledged at his election.
to vote for the bill, he stating this on the author
i'y OF Mr.. Evans, clerk ofthe Sanate, and add
ing tina, such indecision here ought 10 destroy
the influence Of The representative from Scott.
Here M. Summers and the speaker both inter-
posedl Mr.. liaun continued The CJnssitu-
ton OF the State, BY prohibiting any subscription
to stock, does not applyt counties nor towns
Ore might well argue that individuals are
prohibited bv the Constitution from taking stock !,
as to apply The provision TO counties. or 10 tow NJ
corporate. And "a TO the question or right Of the
minority, the min lily are taxed invariably for
bridges, roads and school-houses, and why
should the minority in this case prevent the mn.
jofty from voting stock TO Rail Road2 Why
should distinction be made between this road
and other roads, as the principle OF the matter
md as TO the objection OF voting the pc pies
money into the hands OF . corporation, j; ma be
mnde 10 lie equally against any assessment in q
corporate town.
Mr. Jefferson taught tho unqualified submis-
sion ofihe minority to the will Of the majority,
and this is the true democratic doctrine, in ali
cases Of public utility. And does any one donb,
the utility OF Tire Rock Island and La Sllle Rail
Road, in lis bearing on our State! Ii 80, then
wish to cite the Auditors Report in proof Of its
general advantages. even while tho road is only
matter oetak ana projection, and notyet built.
I refer to the increase OF taxable property, or
valuation, in Scott and adjoining counties. In
1919, the increase in Scott county was thirteen
per cent while in 1850 il was tr. ity-sir pc. II
Thus ONLY talking Of the matter is q benefit -
During this time there was falling of in Mus
eaine and also in Jackson comfy.
The gentleman from Marion co., Mr.. Blbbit,)
the other dav, spoke Of Judge Grant as dan ger.
man. Now, undertake to say, that Scott
county, and the whole S ate are indebted 10 him
for his efforts promote the construction of this
road. Every man, within fifty miles Of Dayen-
port, will rs easily reach New York from Dnv-
export in Of its construction, as he can now
obtain conveyance to Davenport.
Blu, il is said, that we have no right to grant
aid to build road ont Of Iowa. II is enough TO
reply, that the advantage of the R,il Road, and
ofthe Legislative action OF Illinois will accrue to
our State; and sothe people Of Davenport reason.
II will be to their advantage in the point OF
wealth.
And, now, are we here TO do the will Of the
majority or minority! | mean no offence to any
man. The Constitution is not in the way. The
people are not log-rolng as in Illinois, in 1888,
when that ate was involvedin bankruptcy by
rail road projects. Indeed, where is the State
in which this has been the case, where the peo.
p, hare rsi roted HfT own asscss meats, as in this1
instance! The citizens of Davenport and Of
Scott county have voted, almost unanimously.
for this power TO be conferred upon them.
Mr. PARvEN, read from the Auditors Reports,
as - yclrly increase Of q per cent for one