The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-01-21

cannot perceive the neces-
5ity for the two Boards Of Trustees and |
Commissioners. Either oil the Boards can
easily perform in addition to its present
duties the duties of the other Boards and
by the consolidation possible conflicts Of
authority would be avoided, as well as
considerable expense.
RECLAMATION OF FUGIr1vEs FROM JUSTICE
The law in regard to the reclamation
of fugitives from justice is indefinite as to
the amount of fees to be paid to agents
Of this State, who bring back such fugi
tives, and as to whether it is the duty OF
the Census Board to pay such expenses
certainty on these points should be re-
moved,
AGRICULTURE.
Agriculture is and for many years
must continue to be the leading interest
in our State and any fair and legitimate
aid that can be given thereto will tend to
promote the public good. With this OBJ
Ject the State has for some years paid
considerable sums yearly to aid the Ag
ricutural Societies of the State and
counties. Whether the benefits that
have resulted from this expenditures will
justify its continuance during the pres
ent difficulties and embarrasments, you
must decide. This great interest of our
State may in my judgment be aided by
legislation in new direction Hitherto
our great staples for export have been
wheat, corn, cattle and hogs. The
prices paid for the transportation of these
articles to New York form a large por
ton OF their yalue at that point. Indeed,
wheat and corn will not bear trans porta
ton to that market during the season
when the navigation of lakes is closed
Experience has, / think, conclusively
shown that our State is admirably adapt
ed to sheep grazing, and the value of
wool in proportion to its bulk and weight
is much greater, and the price OF its
transportation to New York in proper
ton to its value, much less than that OF
our present staples,
A great drawback upon the growing
of wool is that large numbers OF sheep
are annually killed by dogs. | therefore
recommend that tax be levied on all
dogs in the State, and that the proceeds
of the tax be applied to paying to owners
Of sheep killed by dogs, the value of the
sheep thus killed. l would 90 further
than this-I would exempt from taxa
ton for period of five years all sheep
not exceeding fifty, owned by any resi-
dent of the State, and would also exempt
from taxation for the same time all CAPT
tai invested III the State in the manuac-
lure of WOODEN goods.
| am we'll satisfied that the cultivation
of fax can be successfully and profita
bly, introduced IN our State 1T Is vaIu-
able not only for the seed, but for the
lint, which under a new process is con
verted into what is called Flax Cotton.
am well assured that before the com
mencement of the rebellion remunera-
tive price could be paid in our State for
the flax straw which has heretofore been
an entire loss to the farmer, the fibre
separated from the wood and the tow
transported to Boston and manufactured
into Flax Cotton, which could fairly
compete in price and usefulness with the
cotton of Southern States. In order to
stimulate our people TO examine the
question carefully. and if possible intro.
duce among US a new and profitable
branch of industry, recommend that
all capital invested in the manufacture OF
linseed oil or the conversion of flax straw
into flax cotton, be exempted from tax
alton for FIVE years.
Ii our industry were more diversified,
we would suffer less from fluctuations oil
prices of particular articles, and if as
necessity requires and opportunity offers,
we become manufacturers as well as pro
ducers, we will increase our wealth and
independence.
The report of the Secretary Of the
Agricultural College shows the action OF
the Board Of Trustees since your last
session. l would gladly recommend
liberal appropriations for the erection OF
the necessary college and other buildings,
if tie condition of our finances would al
low, bat | cannot now do so. The farm
aHu DuHuiHSS are III oucll d NoiluitlolI
that failure to make a appropriations
will not necessarily work an injury to
them. The only unfavorable result will
be delay, and to that we must submit
until our national difficulties are remov-
ed. | heartily approve Of the policy
adopted by the trustees of reserying the
lands donated by the State and by indi-
viduals. and the bonds Of Story county to
endow the institution, trusting to the
liberality Of the State and Of individuals
in more prosperous times for the erection
Of the necessary buildings.
LAND GRANT.
The Report Of the Register OF the State
Land Office shows the condition of the
various grants Of land made by the Con
gress of the United States to this State
i Very serious and embarrassing ques
tons have arisen from the conflicting
interests and claims Of some Of the Land
Grant Rail Road Companies and the Des
Moines Navigation and Rail Road Com
panv. There have been much yacilla-
ton and conflict OF opinion and action
among the heads Of the Department OF
the Nation in regard to The extent Of the
/ II n i.