The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1868-01-23

= hnAk adlpatment. During tia last
csennAi perisd and up to the date Of
C0e1eh Ea1peAt0T's report, the State
haesEoco1w1d under the ss1Atnp land
9saQtspa = Sor 2l7 ,g47 acres, aud since
In9.leoNe saiddHpof, patents for 4, 72O
auV ooA ocfes have been received mt
thu 2ecttivc office. These lands have
al - patented to the proper counties,
IN huppanc6 Of law and Of the grant
ms6iehy thea State. 1@
HaWl3lEbe observed that questions OF
On elntrS<aNe and somewhat vexatious
chasocfef arising from adverse claims
to. lands ombraced within the rcspec-
tive Amits AZ the railroads and Des-
M0ihe1 river grants, remain unadjusted
and are likely to produce still further
colla1cte between these rival grantees
and tlDnee who claim by purchase fou
then. But as the settlement OF these
various and conflicting claims involves
the adjudicatfon of legal questions, and
judicial Interpretation Of the nets OF
Congress under which these grants were
made, II u obvious that legislative
action, however prudently devised, will
contribute but little towards their ulti-
mate determination
ia ssS8tk RAILROADS.
While some OF the railroad companies
organized under the various land grants
made BY the State have failed in many
reepects to COMPLY, even substantially,
with the conditions oftbeir grants, yet,
In view of the many difficulties which
have confronted their efforts heretofore,
est and vigorous prosecution of their
respective enterprises, we shall, in my
Judgment he fully justified in the exer-
else Ut etill further leniency toward
them.
It Is manifestly the part of wisdom
to encourage and assist, by wcll-con-
ceived and liberal measures, the prose-
cuti0n OF these needed enterprises in
our State. Any system of legislation
therefore, tending tn their discourage
ment, should be avoided, unless clearly
demanded by considerations promotive
of the public good.
regret, however, tliat am unable,
with due regard for the public interest,
to approve the conduct of the Dubuque
and Sioux City Company, or command
their transactions to your favorable
attention. -
adopted by the General assembly, ut its
nAny became the beneficiary of the grant
designed to secure the construction OF n
railroad leading from Dubuque to Sioux
City, and this valuable donation wss
accepted from the State with all the
terms and conditions IMPOSED. A
large portion OF this grant has already
been absorbed by the company, In
various ways, by pretended sales and
incuMhaRnces. This road has been
constructed to Iowa Falls, distance of
14S miles from Dubuque, but am una
BILE to discover any reliable evidence OF
earnest intention on the part of this
company 10 construct the line to Its ter
minal point on the Missouri river.
The General Assembly need not be
reminded that the development of the
extensive and fertile region west Of the
Iowa river would be greatly accelerated,
and the State largely benefited, by the
early construction of this road as orig
finally contemplated. 1t becomes our
duty, In the judicious exercise of conce-
ded authority over the subject to SO
provide that the Incorporated por-
tons Of this grant shall be faithfully
applied to the early completion Of that
enterprise. As the present company
cannot pretend to have complied with
any essential conditions of their grant,
their past derelictions and evidences Of
bad faith have been such AS to preclude
confidence In any assurances they may
offer In the future.
/ therefore earnestly recommend
that the General Assembly pass an act,
resuming to the State the control over
these lands, and that they he held by
State authority for the benefit of some |
responsible company that will prosecute
this work to its final termination.
PUBLIC sUvEys.
The surveys of the State have been
entirely completed; and the Office of
SnrveyorGeneral discontinued by the
United States. The possession Of the |
various surveys, field notes, maps and
other records Of that Office by the state. |
Is of great value for the purposes of gen
eral reference and public information
and is almost indispensable to the accur-
ate, performance of the duties of the
Register ofthe State Land Office. These
archives can not be turned over to this I
State until the General Assembly shall
by law have provided for their reception !
and safe-keeping, and for free access to |
them by the authorities of the United !!
States.
In view Of the great importance Of .
these documents. / would urgently rec
ommend that the State al once property .
accept the custody of tilcse surveys and |
and suggest the Register of the I
State Land Office a, the proper person .
10 be made custodian, aud. his office as
he most desirable place of deposit.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
Thereports for the years 1856 and 1857 |
If the State Geologist and assistants. |
also copies OF the articles
from time to time to the
papers Of the State. have been received
md will he laid before the General AS
emily. The State Coco ist has con-
luctek the iabors assigned him with
,rai. eworthy energy and iaitAtulness
md, although his work, on account OF
Is core. is only Partially erfoTincd,
ct 1t has already develop ID prtc ieal in
Drmation OF great value to the people Of
be State. Whatever tends to open up
nd make known in an authorita-
i've and reliable form the resources of
owa, should receive your careful a,ten-
on.
/ recommend that new appropria-
on be made, and that DR.. White be
Instructed to complete the geological
lrvey ~ already inauguratcd, by Dec
800, and prepare in due form full ,
nd accurate report for publication
MISSISSIPPI RIVER IMPROVEMENT. i. ;
- "a o;n dx-; l,,- \I,;.t. lan, 4