Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-12-02
IFor the Journal

in several of the late numbers of your paper
disposition to call the attention of the people
Of this county, as we'll as our members elect,
to important changes necessary to be made at
the ensuing session Of our State Legislature
A number of counties and cities in this
State, as we'll as our OWN, have issued bonds
to aid in building our railroads, on which
they pay large amount Of interest annually.
Up to this time, not one dollar Of money has
eyer been collected, in the shape Of tax, from
these roads, Is there any good reason to be
offered why the property Of those companies
should not be appraised and taxed as indi-
vidual property in the counties through which
they run? In my opinion, the proper plan
would be to estimate the amount Of land they
own in each county; also, their depot build
ings, their track at its proper value per mile,
and their entire amount Of rolling stock, and
divide that value according to the distance the
roads run through each county. There may
be better plan devised for collecting the
proper amount of revenue from those corpo-
rations, but this one has suggested itself to
my mind as being the most equitable and just.
Would it not, also, be we'll for our Legis-
lature to favor the passage Of a pro rata freight
bill, next Winters l understand by this an
act which shall compel all the railroads in the
State to carry way freight at rates as low in
proportion to distance as they carry through
freight, specific allowance being made fer
loading and unloading. l understand that,
during the present season, it has cost eight
cents per bushel to ship wheat from Wash.
ington to Muscatine distance of thirty-eight
miles-while, at the same time, it cost but
thirteen cents per bushel to ship through to
Chicago distance of $50 miles This, in
my opinion, operates very unfairly to the
people of this State, to whom the roads owe
their franchises, and who are heavily taxed
for the support of those corporations. As q
rule, it may be conceded that railways should
be at liberty to regulate their own business
but q majority of our roads are under the
management and control of set Of oval
Street Sharks" and their lackies-men who
are not citizens of this State; who have nc
interest in common with US, and who cannot
be reached by taxation. The case above citec
I conceive to be manifest and notorious
exception, and departure from all proper
and fair laws of Transportation. Is it anything
more than fair that the people of this State
should be as favorably treated as strangers by
the corporations they have created? SHOULD
be glad to see pro rata bill pass the ensuing
session.
Among other matters demanding the actor
of our Legislature, this Winter, it seems t.
me the total revision or abolition of thu
County Judge system is one of much impor
lance, and am pleased to notice the unanimity
of sentiment prevailing in this matter through
out the State. The present system of county
administration undoubtedly places too muci
power in the hands of one man. 1t is Ger
tainly wise to diffuse rather than centralz
power and responsibility. Wemay occasion
ally elect man to the Office of County Judg
who will faithfully and impartially dscharg
the duties of that office; but, in majority Q
cases, the Office is used by them more will
an eye single to reelection than to tn
general interest and welfare of the county a
large. I should be glad to see return to tn
County Commissioner system at our Sprin
elections. Also, division Of the offices 0
Treasurer and Recorder in all counties con
tanning certain amount of population; an
better provision for the protection Of publ
money in the hands of officials, and checl
upon all populations on funds under thei
control. Under the present system of levyin
and collecting taxes, they are enabled to poke
very handsome bonus, every year, fror
funds that properly belong to the treasury Q
the county.
Would it not be well, Mr.. Editor, to call
public meeting, and discuss these matter
fully ana fairly, before our members 60
Desmoines, SO as to enable them the better
lay before the Legislature what we conceiv
to be our wants-more especially in relation
to Railroad law, and matters pertaining
our county affairs-and then trust to tn
ability and experience of that body to max
the necessary provision, &C., &C.? RURAL.