The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-01-10


lreconmend that Jon constitstetA Ia Jndgsa
Of the Supreme Court "Connissioness 81
Legal Inquiry" in place of those coatempla-
ted by section 2676 Rev. 1891 mskins h their
duey at the close of each regular term 10 ~
port fully TO the Governor. and also to the
General Assembly At each regular session,
upon any discrepancies or impeffections In
the general ststutes aud code Of procedure.
These duties shosA be made inperatiye, and
compensation provided. This 10 not now the
cass, snd - . consequence no report of the
Commissioners Of Legal Inquiry has ever been
subuis1ed. The Trust Is enc of such delicssy
And responsibility, that il would be apprepri-
ats 70 confer il upon those who hold the high
est jsdicial position in the State. In this way
we will be gradually enabled to systematize
and perfect our laws and code Of prastice,
civil and criminal, ct The same time that we
raise the pay Of the Nnxeme Bench by con
stitutional means to something near o proper
compensatory standard.
RAILROADS.
The successful development OF the vast re-
sources Of this State, and its consequent pros
perity and wealth, are largely dependent upon
the facilities offered by railway communica-
tlon. To encourage and foster our railroad
enterprises by every feasible means, is mani
festly the part Of wisdom. The financial dis
orders through which the country has passed
have crippled the means and retarded the pro-
gress Of these enterprises in Iowa. Largely
dependent for aid upon foreign capital, which
is proverbially timid in regard to mode of in
vestment, the difficulties incident 70 the con-
struction Of railroads through the State will
be readily appreciated. All the railroads
leading from the Mississippi river, with bu.
one exception, have made an extension of
their lines since your last session. New lines
running from Missouri northeriy through this
State are now projected, and at least one OF
them ID already In process of construction
The importance Of q railway connection with
St. Louis, by which the products Of the Des
Moines, Iowa and Cedar Valleys viii find a
cheaper and reader exit to market, than
EasisSn lines are able to afford. is being duly
comprehended in enterpnsing and intelligent
commercial circles Experience has already
Sufficiently demonstrated the incapacity oi
existing lines Of railroads for conveying our
immense agricultural productions to the East
ern markets. And il is also equally eieal
that. whatever may be the capacity of these
Eastern lines, their Immediate thirst for mo
nopolixing the avenues OF transportation. auc
their exorbitant charges for carrying stocl
and grain. render them formidable enemies
to our agricultural prosperity. For this, tbs
only permanent remedy is the establishment
of competing lines. In this question the
farmers of Iowa are deeply interested, and
the time for prompt and decided measures on
their part has arrived. The projected railway
connecting US directly with St. Louis, and b,
this means affordibg us the advantage of nav
igntion to the ocean at all seasons, in spite o.
low water in summer and ice in winter, mus
he admitted as a commercial and agriculture
necessity. Such road leading up the Ceda,
alley, and to St Paul, would also bring III
in more direct and certain connection with tbs
pine regions of the North, enabling our rap
idly increasing demands for lumber to be mors
rap,dy and cheapy supplied.
But ii Is not To the East alone that We
should look for our future commercial rela
tons. Iowa occupies central position, Z
pivotal point, between the Atlantic aud Pa
cifc coasts The mountains and the unpro
duc.ive regions of the West must ultimately
look to this State for large portion Of thei
agricultural supplies, while the Pacific State
offer pow werful inducements to our CONNER
cial enterprise. These vital consideration
mus, not be disregarded.
Every rational calculation for the fatur'
urges the great importance OF immedlatel,
seizing the opportunities now offered of Sc
curing these natural and invaluable tr1buta
riss 10 our commerce. Is it not Of the high
est importance, therefore, that we take imme
date steps TO secure the extension of th,
Union Branch of the Pacific Railroad through
this State3 The General Government has al
ready given aid 10 the construction Of on,
branch Of this road Though Kansas. and it j
certainly not too much to expect that Congress
would be equally generous towards this State
This road must inevitably become one OF tn
important military lines of the Government
as intelligent statesmen viii not fail to per
eeiye. But space will not permit me to dis
eass the importance of this enterprise at great
e length. | therefore most earnestly recon
mend that you address joint memorial t
Congress asking the proper aid for extending
this road from its terminus on the Missouri
river TO some practicable point on the De
Moines, where it can be united with one @
the lines running eastward from that point.
MILITARY.
Witaout extending this communication
much beyond the proper limits, it will b
quite impossible to present even q geners
outline of cur military history. The faithful
service rendered during the late war by tn
troops from this State and their admirable
conduct upon all occasions, have furnishe
themes for abler pens than mine. Thei
fidelity and patriotism have been often an
appropriately acknowledged by the distin
guished Generals under whom they hav
served. 1t was their fortune to have borne
conspicuous part in the all renowned cam
paigns Of the Western Division of the army
bravely participating in the bioodiest an
most decisive engagements. When the his
tory of this great conflict shall have been full
and impartiaiiy written, il win contain N
brighter pages than those upon which tn
achievements of Iowa soldiers are recorded
A State which before the war was scarcel
known except rs patch upon the map Of tn
Republic, to-day has 3 name calculated I
excite becoming emotions in every manly an
and patriotic breast
But the evidences Of sorrow yet visible b
every hand remind us that this good name ha
been earned at fearful cost. Some of til
brightest names which adorn the annals 9
/ the war are ours and citizens of Iowa ar
numbered among the noblest Of the falle
heroes.
Our average population during the war hs
not exceeded 100 600, and of this We hav
furnished one. .ninfh to the national armiei
The aggregate Of the quotas assigned to thi
State. under all calls for the war since th
! f;rs& rasimeut was Organized, being reckone
| At tbe,r equivalents IN three years mer
| amount to 70, s25, and the number claimed b
a 3 have been furnished apoa tAess qnots
= 70, 2le. Not included ia this statsmes
era The First RAsinsnt Of Infantry, 962 mer
fus4shed snasr the three saGnths' caA {
Ay.a, 1851, II two years recruits. s,6Ss on
ye9,secruiia, and 2,867 one handred dAyl
nsA, vhiek last were > volsateer offering b
the 6la3e, and independent Of Al calls, NAL
! ing total aggreelas Of e, Q59 hea- Thes
f9usoSass not sskietly accurate, but are I
nearly . n they can be made from the d,
{ our csnmand. 0napeeu9 Of discrepAnci,