Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-06-09

PRoMorED.-We notice in late mum
Der of the Blair county. pa Wig. that our
friend WALTERS, of the Burtis House. has been
promoted fr IN the rank Of High Private in
the H. A. u.s." to Colonelcy in that crack
regiment. Honors are pouring in upon the
Colonel thick and fast. Not long since he re-
ceived an appointment upon the Executive
Committee ofthe Young Mems Literary Christ
ian Association, for which responsible post hi
fine theological education eminenlly qualities
him We should noS be at all surprised if the
| Colonefs regiment was ordered to proceed
| to Utah 10 short time. Captain Judge Johns
now in Washington, will make strenuous efforts
in the Colouel's behalf. Utah would be a fine
country for Col Walters to luxuriate in. The
| balmy air and things in that Territory, would
prove very beneficial to his slender po, er and
weak Constitution. We congratulate Colonel
Walters upon his promotion.
LAKES ON LANDS OF NON-REs1DENTs.
There is not. and never has been, but one
opinion res oecting the injury and draw ba. K to
the prosperity Of State. occasioned by unim-
proved lands and nonresident speculators
whose greed Of gain is as lnitless as the rapac-
ity of shark. Buying these lands of the Gen
erai Government At the nominal price Of 81 25
per acre. they continue to hold them without
improvement until the adjacent resi- lent land
owners. by the Improvement Of their farms and
the erection Of villages and towns, give to these
unimproved lands value ranging from g. to
$40 per acre within the period of few mouths
Thus without adding farthing to the wealth
of the State. or bringing dollar within it's
boundaries. these absentee speculators fatten
and grow rich u oon the labor and industry of
resident citizens. 1t too often happens that
when the highest market price is offered for
their wild lands. they reject the offer with the
expectation that it will still increase in value
rs the adjacent country becomes more thick y
settled This. of course, is their legal right az
it is the right of the miser to bury the shining
coins. which he possesses, and the spen dthrlft
to throw away the fortune bestowed upon him
by paternal will. We all remember Ireland.
aad what it was that drained it of all its
wealth and vital energies. The absenteeism
Of Ireland is not dissimilar to the plan Of
nonresident spectators of the west Men
come out here from the East with pockets
groaning with gold to Spy out the choice bits
Cffertile lands of the State. where population is
likely to concentrate, and make their landed
investments, with the most careful discrimi
nation, and then return home with the remark
that they have "salted down" few thousands
for their heirs
In this manner the most fertile portions of
our State are "salted down" and afford no ben
eft to the people of the State. except in the
pit;ful taxes which these lands pay for local
aud State revenues.
To force the spectators into the sale Of their
lands, many of the counties of our State, and
nearly all of them in Minnesota. lying along
the banks Of the navgab!s rivers, have devised
. system of taxation 60 onerous In its charac-
ter, to nonresident land owners, that they pre-
fer to dispose of such lands rather than coz.
tnue to pay the taxes The plan is to assess
the unoccupied lands Of non-residents at the
much higher than even their prospective value
will warrant This is having the desired effect
in Minnesota. and thousands are offeri ng Their
lands for sale to escape the burdens oftaxstion.
We very much question the legality Of such
assessments. and seriously doubt whether lands
thus assessed and sold for non-psyment of tax.
es would be safe in the hands Of purchasers.
Taxation made with any such svowsd or con-
cealed intent is contrary to the spirit of the
Constitutions Of nearly all the States which
make assessments uniform, and upon jost val
uation. Whatever legal questions may arise.
the effect 10 wholesome, and these land sharks
are disposing Of their lands at ten fold their
their cost, aud investing anew in back coun-
ties We hope that the plan will be tried in
Iowa to the fullest extent within the provie-
ions Of our Constitution. Within our own town
there are considerable tracs of land still in the
hands Of nonresident spectators. Even with
in our own city there are lots and whole blocks,
thus tied up, or leased out for shanties and rom
shops. that would become valuable and useful
to the city if spectators would sell them for
fair prices to resident citixsns. and those Set
Ting among rs, who would improve them. To
be sure. this species Of property il not much in
demand just now. but - the times Improve it |
win be wanted for building purposes. asd then
these epecuators will refuse to ssl, for they will
hope for still farther advance. We have not
partiealarissd asy property. bet ws sivs'thas
hiats - ~ bsasGt ofths aaseaser.