The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1861-07-19
PROV rHE FAR WEST.

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FROM rdlE FAR WEST.
QUMcY, Iowa,
June 29th, ls6l.S
EDS. TRIBUNE IL did not remain al
Des Moincs as long as would gladly
have done had circumstances permitted.
Having arrived there about noon of the
Goth inst, and leaving at four o'clock the
next morning, and so much fatigued as to
compel me to occupy my room in writing
my last raey letter. The city Of Des
Moines properly So-called, is the Capital
of Iowa, situated at the head Of naviga-
tion, and is crossed there on very sub
stantial bridge. Raceoon river enters the
Des Moines just below, or south Of, the
town, aud is crossed in ferry boat
Both Of thcse streams afford numerous
sites for mills and manufactures. The
city grounds ascend gradually some con-
siderable distance from these rivers, and
the decliv.ties and hills Immediately back
afford charming localities for private res
licences. Indeed those sites are numer-
GUS and unrivaled in attraetiveness of
beauty and prospect, Polk county, Of
which the city of Des Moines is the
county seat, is, after leaving the bluffs
along the rlvors, high rolling prairie with
suifcency Of timber, aud the banks Of
the rivers and creeks abound in lime
stone, sandstone and stone coal in very
great quantities. The city israpidly fill
ing up-contuins about 5000 inhabitants
and several large blocks Of buildings aud
some splendid edifcos. The public
schools are said to be good, and there are
numerous establishments for public use
and convenience, such as churches, stores
ofiicesi mechanic shops and hotels, of
the latter Of which two, at least, the
"Blodget House," and ''Des Moin q
House" are remarkably well kept and
the bills unusually moderate. Every
thing looks prosperous and thrifty, even
now in these times Of business derange-
ment, and tho orderly appearance of the
citizens and their industry and quiet, es. .
pecially at eve, cannot but attract the
strangers attention. The temporary State
/ ouse and public buildings are the oppo-
site or east side of the Des Moines river,
between which there is strip Of low
land, almost slough and several rods
wide, which cannotbe conveniently occu-
pied with business establishments and
must be undesirable for residences.-
This places the new part of the city so
remote and distant from the old os to pre-
sent an ugly appearance to the former
without a reasonable hope Of remedying
it on account Of the intervening low
ground to which have alluded, between
it and the river. The temporary public
buildings are situated upon high bluff
too precipitUus and contracted for eonye-
nient access and habitaGOn. II is said
that this isolated, unnatural position for
the Capitalization ofthe wealth and tnst
needful to improve and adorn the capital
Of ayouug and promising commonwealth,
is the fruit Of cold, heartless speculation;
aud that just retribution rapidly sue
eeeded 70 those who so recklessly pre-
vented the public interest to their own
private emolument. The business Of the
city and county, exclusive Of official bus
mess, is done on the west side of the riy-
or and several large and eommodious
new buildings are now being construc-
ed there and yet observed none 10 |
progress or prospect on the cast side. -
The people Of Iowa ought to ply the ak
10 the root Of this shameless public wrong
md place the permanent State House
md public buildinga on the west side of
ho river. That such will ultimately be
he result no sane mind can doubt for
nOment after viewing the respective To-
alities aud learning the specu ntive ras-
ality which dictated the selection Of the
resent site, In leaving the city we
Tere detained over an hour by my watch,
I Raecoon river. Il is enoughin all con-
eience, to start at sunrise or before and
ide in a stage fourteen miles 10 breakfast
'ithopt waiting for lazy Geryman who
ught to be prompt in tho discharge Of
is duty. Were such an incident 70 oc-
ur late ir the fall or early q the spring, I,
would be almost intolerable. One OF ,
he passengers, Oliver Mills Esq. Of Z
.erlsl In Cnsa eounss. slerpea ens iato .