New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1866-01-12

NEEpruL LEGISLATION The leg a
;s,ation of this State, unintentioaaly OF
course, on the part Of those interested &
with the grave responsibility Of frame 1
ing laws for the people, in matters Of VI
tal ,mpo, lance, oreratea against the
actual settler and resident, and in favor
os she mere Spectator. L
Tie n,nt,er to which we refer espec-
tally il in reference to the duty Of men
owning farms and Of their having legal
fences about u, same. Under the de-
c,sion Of the supreme court Of Cur state
the common law, restraining animals
from running at large is declared to he
imperative in Iowa, as not applicable
to our state. Our Legislature too: by
a strange sight, has enacted law
requiring parties claiming damages tor
injury to field crops, done by animals
running at large: to first establish be-
fore the fence viewers. the fact that
they have lawful isCce.
The effect Of this legislation, and
the decision Of our supreme court tax
en- in connection, is, to caus, emigranss
settling in the ives, to shun the prairie
portions Ct Iowa. Residing as We do
in county that is chiefly prairie We
lave had ample opportunities to op-
strve the practical workings under
this eystem. Hundreds Of raen, who
you'll settle in our state g. on where
timber is more abundant, because after
tuilding material and fuel they find no
lack, but the ,mposibility u cu!tiva-
ting the soil and securing the products
Of their toll, where cattle are made
free commorers tends to retard tue de-
vclopment ofour state and it's resources
In Northern Iowa there is scarcely
county IN which there are not those who
sro among US a. mere adventures, with
herds Of cattle and horses; grazing gu.
ring the summer months upon our
psairies and being wintered from it's
ample crap Of native meadow; and
against which herds Of horses or cattle
the actual settlers must provide q law
fal fence to secure damage for injury
done to his growing crops, Ia MOST
Instances too, those enjoying the abun-
dance Of our native pastures and mead.
'"s, dispose Of thei: stock and remove
from the state with their wealth en-
HANGED many fold, leaving the taxes %
scssed upon them delinquent, to be in ,,
time by the Board Of Supervisors aba
ted as such. Ttis crying evil, one |
that should Lave the needed legislation
70 prevent too frequent recurrente
e.
We believe the adoption Of tile CON-
zen law principle, holding men liable
f'r injury done By their stock encroach-
'ns upon the lands Of others, would tend
TO check this evil AMI protect the Inter
eets Of those WHO are paying the taxes,
constructing The roads, organizing school
districts ami building school l.ouses
aid who ire building up their homes
and sustaining and developing the
general progr ess Of car state. II
Another much needed refvrm is q
that. instcaa e haTi!g all taxes paid ,
at the cou hty seat, as under the pres. ,
Ga. law, Township Collectors should be 6
chosen aud entrusted with their collec, (
ton. In otEer stntes where the eys- +
tam Of township collectors IS adopted, G
VIC believe taxes arr Elected at less a
expense to the tax pas ers than in this /,
Besides such . eystem seems to favor
the interest Of the residents Of the &c.
s:eto instead Of the nonresident land -
owners and ,peculstors, or the mere o
.lventurers among US. 1t would we DO e1
icvc prevent the yearly abatement Of g
! large amount Of Delinquent taxes y
rom those who have NO interest among :.
;, but to enrich Themselves cut Of the tc
atursl stupiancc e cir state, 4,