Burlington tri-weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1852-1855, 1854-12-14


eral wealth. and the capacity Of soil tor the pro
duction Of many profitable articles, the benefits Of
which information to the history of the State and to
the people, would far s1rpass any expense attending
such an examination. would therefore recommend
this measure your favorable consideration.
again invite your attention to the laws regulating
the sale of intoxicating liquors and to the recon
mendation made by me to the last general assembly
granting licences under proper restrictions for the
sale thereof. Believing that such law would Rave
salutarj effect in restraining the indiscriminate
sale Of such liquors and would be the means OF produ
cling revenue TO cities, towns and counties, winch
il now lost to them, and that good order might be OBJ
tanned and the laws enforced, am therefore Undue
Cd 10 present the subject for your csndid consdera
ton.
am aware that there are many persons who take
different view Of the question: who insist with great
per tinaeity that laws should be enacted prohibiting
the manufacture sale Of any spritus vnous or malt
liquors, under severe penalties with night to search
in houses and premises, and destruction OF such
property wherever it may be found, and prescribing
rules Of evidence in such cases unknown In any 9th
er criminal prosecution. . |
such laws not calculated to remedy the evil
complained Of and are looked upon as an unnecessary
infringement upon the natural and constitutional
rights of tho citizen The idea that pervades such
is that unusual and severe penalties lead
TO cir enforcement; when all experience shows that
their uddue severity defeats their execution, and that
after tie excitement which caused their enactment
he's passed away, no one feels disposed to enforce
/ them 800
Although this question mas Deeu thrust INTO tn0
political arena aud mads to figure extensively in our
elections yet as guardians and representatives of
const tutional supremacy, and the rights OF citizens
under that government you will carefully examine
the subject which has thus been presented and make
such provision may seem to you best calculated to
promote the public 6 cd.
Your attention il also invited to the act, passed at
the last session of the General Assembly, regulating
the interest on money and OF which may say, that
since its passage up the present time, has not been
generally regarded enforced, and that without be-
ing of any benefit to the borrower, has resulted in
keeping out Of the State much capital, which would
have otherwise been introduced among us, and which
by fair competition would have reduced the rates Of
lterest much below what is now paid, Snch laws are
always evaded and upon the principle that men should
be permitted make their contracts and dispose
of their money or property upun such terms ana con
ditions may seem to them most appropriate. For
these and many other reasons which might I've urged,
would respectfully recommend the repeal OF alllaws
in this State upon the subject of usxry.
As yet no grants Of land have been made to the
State Of Iowa for the construction Of railroads, not
withstanding the reIeated applications which have
been made to Congress for that purpose. would,
therefore, again call your attention to the subject
and recommend that a memorial be passed urging the
justice OF our csim. and that such application be
concentrated upon road 10 run om the Mississp
pi to the Missouri river through the central portion Of
The State as it is believed that such application
might meet with favorable reception. 1t is very
much doubted whether the policy OF applying for a
sufficient quantity of land to construct five six roads
in Iowa will soon be favoraby considered by Congress
1t is therefore, desirable that system snould be
adopted by ths people and Representatives to concsn
rae the application to two roads, and urge the
same with energy and unanimty.
In this connection permit me to speak of the COM
mon roads of State, and to urge upon you the
cessty Of again reinstating the law which required
the election Of County Supervisor. That officer has
the charge and supervision of all the roads IN the
County. Then ther was uniformity in the opening
and work done upon them-now in some townships
the roads kept in ORDER and in others nothing is
done and the consequence is that there no system
regularity upon the which is OF the greatest
importance and interest to every inhabiant of the
State.
Of the swamp OF oyerfowed lands graz ted to this
and her States, by act of Congress, approved
September Sh 1850, it is only necessary for Inc to
say, that at the last session OF the General Assembly
it was thought advisable to grant them to the coun
strucng the necessary levees and drains to reclaim
them, and the overplus, after paying the expense of
heir reclamation, to be applied for the purpose of
baildin- roadsand bridges in such counties.
Under this act .sturns of the examination and sur
yey Of SUCH lands have been made TO the Surveyor
} General of Iowa aid Wisconsin from counties, tn
names of which are herewith Transmitted.
As it is desirable that such returns should be made
possible in order to obtain the title from the
General Government to these lands, would suggest
such further legislation as will require if possible
the delinquent counties ocompy with the laws which
have been heretofore enacted for their benefit.
Many other subjects Of legislation which have not
been noticed will doubtless suggest themselves to your
consideration, and receive that attention which tier
Importance may require.
In concluding this communication to the General
Assembly Of Iowa, l may be permitted to refer to
the policy of government, under which we have in
creased in population and wealth unsurpassed in the
HISTORY and settlement of western States, and must
be conceded, that for the high position which we now
occupy Sovereign State OF the American Republic,
that we are principally indebted to the constitution
and laws for that prosperity.
Of the Constitution Of this State, it may with JUS
ce be sad that it is republican in its character and
designed to protect the people against abuse and evils
which have crept into the government of other and
older States It prohibits any association corpora
on from exercising the privilege OF creating paper
crculateas money it declares that corporations shall
not be bshed by special laws except for political
municipal purposes and for all others, that gener
al laws shall be passed for the organization reservng
to every the privilege of forming companies for
the transaction Of all lawful business, and limiting
, State Indebtedness in such manner as to prevent
great loss reputation These restrictions, is is be-
eved have done much to mild up this Slate and to
citizens that they not to be oppressed by
monopolies, bankruptcy, extraordinary taxation.
In my last message to the General Assembly,
felt it to he my duty caution the people against the
system Of banking which was then contemplated and
carried in the United States, as being dangerous
to the agricultural and manufacturing interests Of
the country and urged the proprety of passing law
prohibiting the circulation Ct bank notes of less
minaton than ten dollars for the purpose Of
tanning sufficient sum Of Gold and silver, to do the
ordinary business of citizens, and to which rec
6mmendat.on would again invite your favorable
cons But two years have elapsed since the
time and we find selves in the midst of none
taIy crisis In public journals will be found long
} list Of susp,nGed and broken banks. Who are gen.
orally the suasreI Not those whose business it is to
deal in money and Bank paper, And who WELD the
liehtninps of heaven to tell them Of dangers dis
asers but Others whose very existence depends upon
their labor and who can iii afford to pay the luxury
and expense of banking corporations.
4 Yet with all the evidences which we have be.