Demoine courier., 1854-12-14

oo'S W stuhb tucuh W tUe COuutles III
which they lie, for the purpose OF con-
s'ructing the necessary levees and drains
10 reclaim them, and the o~ver2lus. after
paying the expenses Of their reclama'
ton, to be applied for the purpose of
building roads and bridges in such coun.
ties.
Under this act returns Of the exami.
nation and survey Of such lands have
been made to the Surveyor General of
Iowa and Wisconsin from counties, the
names Of which are herewith ransmit
ted.
Ae il is desirable that such returns
should be made as sooa as possible. in
order TO obtain the title from the General
Government 10 these lands, | would sug
gest such further legislation as will re.
auire, If possible, the delinquent coun-
lies to comply with the laws which have
been heretofore enacted far their benefit.
Many other subjects of legislation
which have not been noticed, will doubt
less suggest themselves TO your consider.
alton, and receive that attention which
their importance may require.
In concluding this communication to
the General Assembly of Iowa, | may
be permitted to refer to The policy of gov.
eminent, under which we have increased
in population ard wealth unsurpassed in
The history and settlement Of western
States, and il must be conceded, that for
the high position which we now occupy,
as a sovereign Slate Of the American
Republic. that We are principally indebt-
ed to the constitution and laws for that
prosperity.
Of tae Constitution Of this State, il,
may with justice be said, that j. is repub-
licsn in it's character, and designed to
pro,ec, the people against abuses and
evils which have crept into the govern.
men. of other and older States. II pro-
hibi,s any association or corporation from
exercising the privilege OF creating paper
TO circulate as money; it declares tina.
corporations shall not be established by
special laws, excep, for political OF mu.
nlci2al purposes; and for all o,hers. that
general laws shall be passed for the or
ganization. reseTving TO every one the
privilege of forming companies for the
transaction of all lawful business. and
limiting State Indebtedness in such a
manner as TO prevent great loss OIL repu-
diation. These restrictions j, is believed
have done mach to build up This Stale,
and to assure citizens that they are no, TO
be oppressed by monopolies, bankruptcy
~ vtrorrIina t,v.tinp
In my last Message to the General
Assembly. fel. i, to be my duty 10 eau.
lion the people against The system of
banking which was then contemplated,
and carried on in The United States, as
being dangerous TO the agricultural and
manufacturing interests OF the country,
and urged the propriety of passing a
stringen. law prohibiting the circulation
Of bank notes Of a less denomination
than ten dollars, for the purpose of re-
tanning a suficien. sun Of gold and sill
yer to do the ordinary business Of our
would again invite your favorable con
sidera,ion. But two years have elapsed
since that time, and we lind ourselves in
the mids. Of a monetary crisis. In our
public journals will be found long lists OF
suspended and broken banks. Who are
generally the sufferers! Not those whose
business it is to deal in money and bank
paper, and who WELD the ligh,nings Of
heaven TO tell them of danger or disaster,
but others whose very existence depends
upon their labor, and who can i'll afford
TO pay The luxury and expense of bank.
ing corporations.
Yet with all the evidences which we
have before US of the presidential effects
Of paper money on the necessary conf
dence between man and man, the necas
sary confidence in our public councils, on
the industry and morals of the people,
the enormous frauds which have been
practiced, and the loss suffered by the
,oiling millions, we are told that it 10
necessary 10 establish q banking system
in Iowa. Such a system nigh. De a st..
full slim ulant 10 our hopes and business
pursuits, and impart than ordinary
vigor 10 the current traffic during a sea-
son of prosperous credit; still il 10 always
treacherous and trsught with too many
uncertainties upon which to risk the agri-
cultural and mos. important interests oil
the country. and which are liable to be
swept away by the very frs. blast of
adversely. Viewing all the expedients
resorted to, 10 conceal and mitigate the
errors of modern banking, it will be
found that the system of employing pub
lie stocks and securities is the most ex-
~ceptionable, as j. is making one promise.
which it may be impossible 10 redeem,
the foundation of another equally des.
peraie.
The opinions which ! have taken &C.
%casion to express in my previous con
munications 10 the General Assembly,
upon The subject Of banking. Of State in.
debsedness. and of exclusive privileges
and special legislation, remain unchsng
cd. MOI can ! perceive in the altered
condition of our business relations, or
the positive wants of community, any
imperative reason why our Constitution
should be amended 10 authorize their in.
PRODUCTION into Iowa.
In retiring from The Office 10 which I