Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-04-11

tiiC Sduuy buDSOli anu ItuutT lilc Qllcucc
made by the State aviable. a
1t is estimated that three hundred thous-
and acres of land are injured-much of it
rendered valueless-by the waters of this
river. These lands, at present rates,
would not sell for more than an average
OF three dollars per acre, the aggregate of
which would be nine hundred thousand dol
lars. Dry lands. less fertile, equally re-
mote from market, in the counties Of St.
Joseph and Laporte. sell, at present rates,
at from thirty to forty dollars per acre.
1t is a safe estimate to say that the work
contemplated would render the swamp and
wet lands on the Kankakee worth an aver
age OF twenty dollars per acre. the aggre-
gate of which would be sir million dollars:
1t is estimated that the proposed drains
will cost .fye hundred thousand dollars
1t these estimates are correct, and they
are believed to be within bounds, the net
profit to the owners of lands will be at
least four million sir handred thousand dol
lars.
by reference TO a general law authori-
zing the construction Of levees ard drains,
approved June II. 1852. and to an act
amendatory of and supplementary to the
same. approved March 4, 1859, under
which this company is organized. it will
be found that the County Boards are re-
quired. upon application made by the cor
poration. to appoint persons not interested
in the proposed work, to make the assess
men: Of benefits and damages to all lands
in any way affected. The Assessors are
required to swear to the truth and correct
ness Of their assessment; and the assess
ment of each tract. when filed in the Re-
corder's Office of the proper county. be-
comes lien in favor of the company for
the amount assessed. 1t also provides for
notice to the owners of the lands of the
time Of making assessments. 1t provides,
further, that the assessments shall be pay
able on demand by the company, and pre-
scribes the manner in which such demand
shall be made. IF the assessment be not
paid on demand. the lien may be enforced
at law. The assessment of damages against
the company. and the collection Of the
same. are fully provided for. i'
The law under which the company is
organized has. in the case Of anderson vs.
The Kerns Draining Company, IA Ind.
been decided to be constitutional and val
i'll. The case arose under the law referred
to. - n.r
We regard this enterprise as one of the
most important to the people interested
and to the State that has been set on foot
for many years. It's consumation would
bring into cultivation, in a few years, a
district of country larger and richer in soil
than Marion county. No stream IN the
Unitel States. Of similar length. has as
much inexhaustible rich bottom land.-
This soil is now practically worthless
IL NAV be made the most productive in the
State. What is now wilderness of water.
mud. moss and grass. partitioned out
among trappers and fishermen. may he
made the garden spot of Northern Indiana.
The object to be attained is so vast and in
calculable in its results that the amount
to be levied to accomplish it becomes in
significant. IF land which could not now
be sold for three dollars per acre can be
made worth twenty. the owner should be
glad to.pay his proportion of the necessary
assessment.
The money necessary to construct the
work will be expended in the midst of the
community who pay it. We understand
the company will offer resident land own
ers an opportunity to work ont their as
sessment. or to pay it in articles they
will need in the course of the work
They also contemplate making the assess
ment payable in such installments as will
enable the proprietors to meet the demand
without difficulty. rio ao s'''a4 4"