The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-01-16

In paper on hdiirodd management, pub
lished in the American Rail Road Journal,
published at New York, July Is, 1854, we
find the following
while the Hudson River Railroad has
suffered less from corrupt management than
any other, and while, with some fec excep
tons, the directors have acted with single
eye to the best interests of the company, vet
1t has suffered hardly less than any from un-
wise and incompetent management. From
the commencement Of this enterprise there
has been a continual row in the interna ad
mnistration of its affairs. Through the in
tuence of one man, presidents, engineers,
superlntendents and other important officers
have appeared and disappeared with all the
rapldity and regularity of the actors in dra-
ma Men who have acquired an honorable
reputation upon other works, have been sac
rlhced on this to mere caprice or whm, or be-
cause they became obnoxious to "a power
behind the throne.". 1t is no use to tell US
that the constant changes that have been GO
ing on in this road have been either necessary
or proper, or that the company has not suf-
fered seriously in consequence. We freely
admit the merits Of this work. We believe
III It's ultimate success. We do not reproach
the general good faith of its managers, but
like oil other New York projects, bad man
agement has been the great drawback on its
success"
We have not copied the foregoing para
on account of any interest we feel in the pro-
ject above named, but for the reason that the
structures on the management of that comp
any are more or less applicable to that of al
most all corporations for the carrying out Of
great public improvements.
The last portion of the above, by very
natural transition, brought to our mind the
Aew York Company formed nnder the laws
| of Iowa, for the purpose Of completing and
bringing into use the Improvement of the
Navigation of the Des Moines River. The
management of the affairs of this company
is not only a matter of interest to the stock
holders, but also matter Of vital and imme-
date interest to very large portion, and Of
proximate interest to all the citizens of the
State of Iowa. The little progress that has
been made by this company in the construc-
ton of works for the perfection Of tbs Nay
lgation of the Des Moines River, 81 in con-
unuous line, from the mouth ofthe riper, up
to Fort Des Moines,o leads us to ask, whethv
er there is any probability of the d. n. &
X. K. Co. completing '1all the work. for
the improvement Of the Des Moines River.
:" from the river Mississippi to said Racoon
Forks, on or before the LIST day of July, 1852
On this matter we seek information from
those who understand the matter better than
ourselves. We know that the company have
not complied with that clause Of their con
tract by which 1t $ undertakes and covenants
to complete at least one fourth of said work
each and every year, commencing ON the lst
day of July, 1854" Who will assert that
one-fourth Of said work was, on the lst day
of July, 1855, completed, or is even now, in
January 1856? This fact augurs i'll for the
completion of the whole work 6. on or before
the lst day of July, 1852 as the company
have agreed with the State Of Iowa, in their
contract, and is but poor earnest to the
citizens of Iowa of the manner in which the
ID. \. r. Z. Co. may hereafter fulfill the
agreement.
May this failure on the part Of the Des
MONIES Navigation and Rail Road Company
to fulfill the first obligation of their contrac
that one on which the fulfillment of al
other obligations in which the citizens of the
State OF Iowa are interested) be attributed to
any or all Of the following causes
Divisions in the Board of Directors
The vascillation and INDIGESTION of the Di
rectors in regard to what they will, and wha
they will not do;
The overwhelming influence Of indiyidu.
ais;
The changing of important officers, sacri.
need TO mere caprice or whim, or becaus,
they became " obnoxious to power behint
the throne;'
Or is it that, 'like all other Nete York pro.
Jets, bad management has been the great
| drawback 20
These questions we arc unable to answer
time alone will solve some - others can be
answered b. the Directors of the Company
themselves, o. perhaps By the officers appoint.
ed on the part of the State of Iowa, to at.
tend to her interests in this matter.
We think the citizens of the State of Iowa
have still right to demand some informa-
ton in relation to the causes which have led
to so great delay in prosecuting the I'm.
proyement Of the Des Moines River, in &C
cordance with the terms of the contract, and
If the Des MoInes Navigation and Rail Road
Company, or those interested in its prosper.
ity, wish TO restore the confidence Of the cit.
szens of Iowa, and particularly of the Des
Monies Valley, IN the good faith Of the man
ayers Of this company, they viii as early rs
possible lay before the people some explana
ton of the causes which have led to delay ia
the performance Of their contract with the
State.