Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-06-16
The Raiiroad.

take stock in Railroads Is Questioned In
this State, and opinions have been given
for and against il; blu. moi OF that author
tive character to settle the question.
Blu, other counties in the State have voted
in favor Of the measure. and no doubt il
will be legally tested before the proper
tribunal, before Wapello County could
be ready to issue her Bonds; and. though
an issue of County Bonds for that sub
ject should be declared illegal by the
Supreme Court, yet should the Comfy
vote in favor of il. one grea. object
would be gained--is would show our
confidence in the investment. and would
be accepted by capitalists as kind of
guarantee for the safety of the Stock.
But many cautious friends of the en-
terprise, who believe that individuals
would receive ample reward For their
capital invested in it, hesitate to give
their influence in favor of the County
risking her funds or credit-doubting
the careful and judicious management
and faithful application of county funds.
That reckless waste e. shameless .ssteal-
ing" of public funds has become trade
by which many live and have their be-
ing, il is true; yet some plan ought to be
found if il is not, whereby the public,
by concentration OF their energies and
capital. could aid great enterprises Of a
public nature like the one under con-
sideration. A mixed capital Of public
and private stocks, we believe, has wor-
ked satisfactory wherever tried. II one
was profitable. SO was the other.
Blu. the question of the greatest i'm
porlance, is the county able, without se-
rious embarrassment, to the tax payers, to
meet the requirements of an investment
that would be crsdi,able to her and real
" beneficial TO the work!
The present tax list shows an aggre-
gate Of abou, nine thousand dollars.
Now as every interest here is dependent
on the produce of the soil, we will con-
slider how an additional tax of say sew
en,y per cent could be met by the pro-
ducers Of the county. Corn is the
great staple, and very largo surplus on
hand and commands no price, and if
sold at all, would not bring more than
fifteen cents bushel. On the Illinois
River it is worth forty cents. and if we
had Railroad connection with Peoria,
our corn would at once command the
cash and bring at least thirty cents per
bushel. So il is with potatoes, beans.
poultry, butter, and many other articles
we produce. and could produce much
more abundantly, if they would yield
remunerasing prices; adding immensely
to the wealth of the county If we had ac-
cess to the markets. But the county
funds should be spent within the limits
of the county. This with the expendi-
ture for the entire work, would at once
create the best market for every article
of produce while the road is building,
and as soon as It is in operation. it would
relieve the county from the payment OF
interest on its bonds, and no doubt yield
a handsome revenue beside.
And not only would our produce be
doubled in value at the very commence
ment of the work; but lands would adj
vance in like ratio. Thus by seeming
10 increase our burdens we make those
as nothing which we now bear. Three
years would be ample time to complete
the road when the iaxes7to pay interest
on county bonds would end. and the
county might continue to be stockhol-
der, or sell her shares, as her interest
might dictate.
Even the payment of the first years
tax would be made easy by the previ-
Gus expenditure Of large sum ofmoney
in the county, for labor and produce
consumed on the work before the tax
becomes due.