The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-02-27

DES MONIES, Feb. IL, 1864.
DEAR SIR:-The Railroad Tax bill is still
under discussion in the Senate; that body
having devoted three days to the subject
The discussion has been calm and consid-
crate, characterized by more ability than
any other discussion Of the session. Near
~ all the speaking bers having taken
part in it. Mr.. Henderson's (Senator from
MarshaD speech in opposition TO the bill
was an able one and entered quite fully in
to the merits of the question, Other able
speeches were made on the same side. DIR.
Saunders, of Davenport, spoke earnestly
yesterday, against the proposed change in
taxation. Your Senator, Mr.. Foote, made
one Of the abiest arguments that has been
made in favor of the BILL You will find it
briefly reported in the Register Of to day
and worthy Of place in your columns
II had a marked effect upon the Senate. 1t
gave utterance to the popular sentiment
upon the subject. Mr.. WOolson, of Henry
county, made an able argument Gil the
same side, during the last days discussion.
The Senators from Des MOines and Henry
are both plain, practical men, who speak
only when they have something to say,
and feel that duty to their constituents re-
guircs them to say it. Messrs. Dixon and
Udell spoke favorably for the bill, and
Messrs. Roberts and Hunt against it. Mr..
Roberts is chairman OF the Railroad Com
mitlee, and comes from a county not yet
blessed with Railroads, (Madison,) but
hopeful OF such blessing some OF these
days. The Railroad interest will be pleas
ed to find that it has so earnest aud efti-
cient n champion, in the consideration OF
measure of vital Importance.
A test vote at the close OF the discussion
yesterday, stood Is for and II against the
bill. The prospects of its passage are not
SO encouraging as was supposed. believe
that remarked in my last that this Levis.
Wnnld 6l1ONVnP " al hoe hon,
dered obvious to every previous Legisla-
| ture that has attempted to act upon the
subiect) that the Railroad interest is
a power in the land. The fact that the pro-
posed taxation would result mainly to the
benefit of the counties where roads are
built, has operated against its passage
And it is a fact worthy Of note, that the
most earnest advocates Of such taxation
come from counties that have long expert
| enced the fruits of railroads. The fact is
significant, and would justify commen-
tary. These counties are supposed to know
something of railroad rule aud profits.
| The final consideration of the bill was set
| for Thursday OF next week. Why this de-
lay? It is certainly time that the Legisla-
ture was disposing Of some of these meas
/ ureS.
! A seriOcOmic discussion took place in the
House yesterday upon bill to prevent
profanity and obscenity. Those who SEEM
ed TO feel deeply the 0dlOus character Of the
vice, had the majority with them, and all
attempts to make light OF the matter failed.
The moral sense OF this Legislative BODY IS
above suspicion. A more temperate and
upright body of men never convened at the
Capitol. wish that they might succeed in
finding remedy for a crying evil: but |
fear that the prospect is dubious. The war
in which SO large portion of our men are
eDgaged is not calculated to elevate the
i'm ut CO
OF the State where the bill would be enforc-
ed; but it would be a practical nullity in
ilninety-nine cases in q hundred. The hill
was finally referred to select committee
of five. ##@a#msM nf 4ta 5+.5 T.-
Tie bill providing for an addition to the