Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-01-24
BULLETIN, VOL. 8, NO. 80.


losses, is only six per cent. ON the entire
principal, constituting thereby an snnun
loss TO the State in this direction OF $50. 600.
Under the Constitution, the State is maas
the responsible guardian Of this fund. tl,,
principle Of whicL is intended a. . psrmsn-
ent endowment to our com mon schools, the
interest thereon being applied 10 their sen~
porary support.
Tie State is thus rendered liable for every
dollar OF both interest and principal, and the
people must inevitably be taxed 70 reimburse
all losses which occur. How long this loose
manner Of performing constitutional obliss-
hons will continue, is a question which rrsts
N the sound discretion and foresight Of tho
General Assembly. can not, however, di-
vest myself Of the conviction that our imper.
feet discharge Of this solemn trust Is ders-
lection Of duty, which must, in the calm
Judgment Of posterisy subject az V meri,ed
reproach.
The efforts cf the present Auditor 70 oh
tain sasisfsetory settlement With the delin>
quent counties have, owing 10 The imperfect
manner in which their acesuues xre kept. 80
far resulted only in partial success. The
county Of AllamAkse acknowledges the ~.
ceipt Of 4li3,l4s.6l from this fund, over
$4,000 Of which, so Tar as the State knows
or can ascertain, have been lost sight Of since
the month Of June, 1865. Losses Of . simi-
lsr character might be cited from o,hes
counties.
I therefore again recommend and urge the
General Assembly 10 recall this money from
the counties, and appropriate il to the e..
tablishment Of Normal aud Reform schools.
or other State institutions and that bonds
be issued therefor 70 the school fund, bear
ing interest st eight pet cent, and payable
semi>annusily.
STATE HOUSE..
The unsafe condition Of the present Sssss
House, wi,h its cracked walls and insecure
foundation, and is admitted ineapac,iy for
the purposes required, viii suggest 70 Jour
minds the urgen, necessity for the eonsiruc.
tion of q new edi6ce Of . sire and characser
commensurate with the prospective demands
and just pride of the state. Constructed
largely of wooden materials With arsielss of
. combustibls character scattered through
its various apartments, and having no vsuIrs
or 6re>proot rooms - safe depositories foe
the ducuments, libraries, and archives be-
longing to the State, the building ve nov
occupy, with its invaluable contents, Il q no
time secure from total distruction By 6rs.
II 10 impossible u contemplate the maRuituds
Of the loss that would result 70 The Slsss ftuu
such . calamity, and the bare possibility Of
it, occurrence is deemed sufficient 70 com.
mand Jour Intelligent considsrstioa Of sns
subject.
In the prosecution of Ibis work, il Il b
done in proper and substantial manner, ws
can not economically sxpend more than
$l5O,ooo per annun. An appropriation Of
this amount from year 70 year, basiug ou
estimate in part upon tbs contisued increase
Of taxable properly, win N Guiss an average
yearly assessment Of less thAa one-tweutieth
VI one per cent.
As 70 the plan and dimensions Of the pro.
posed structure, shall inserpose no views os
Suggestions OF my own. The whole subject
lust bs left TO The eonsiderass Judgment and
Intelligent action Of the Gepssal Assembly.
We should bear in mind, however, thas shis
edihce u not designed for The use Of this
generation culy, bot for future genssssions
Also and in laying is fuundaaions vs should
endeaver to anticipate the probabis sequisv>
ments Of the State for many yeass 70 come.
1t matters not how soon ihis building il
or how vigorously Tie vusk
d.y - adsanced. . period Of six % tea
Teass viii secessarily elapss beiose Il can b
ready for ocsapancy. The das..
oiiky Of the ediice, and It's peffect sscueily
rom hse and other casualties, are the lsad.
ng and essential objects to b kept in view,
md to this end, il should b Constructed
Entirely OF stone and other ineombusGiLls
material.
In my Judgment, every ysar's delay in the
rction OF . new capitol, i, unvissly ieo-
'srdizing the best interests Of tha Ssaas.
.ould, therefore, recommend that Coma.is>
ionsrs b appointed 70 determine The plan.
haractss and dimensions Of The builiiuG.
ndsr such directions as you nay sossides
dvisabls to adopt and that they Be em>
covered to commence the work q The earliest
ay practicable. and that m appropriation
. made sufficient 10 carry il forward until
Be next meeting of the 0enefA Assembly,.
covIRIoR's nAsaIox.
In retiring from the Executive Chair.
eem i my dutyto recommend and urge up.
q the General Assembly, q . prcsisiou
minently calculated 70 advance the publc
ersice, that suitable residence b. psoyi yided
or the incumbent Of this ofice, and thos he
y required to reside st the Capitol durine
is official term. While in . position % IS
ersonslly affected BY it. I eould not with
'ropriety have made this rseommeudntion.
md anticipating that the distinguished eiti>
en Who succeeds me may BE- restr>ised by
Ike motives Of delcacy from makine il shs
uhject OF an Official conmunicatics. 1 am
TO avail myself Of the opeortun.
y nov presented 70 urge this ssbiee - .
measure demanded alike By tAe iateresap and
be credit Of the State. Iowa = among the
cry few States which Asvs not already
'doptsd such . provision. Since the orrani.
alton the Executives Of the State hsvs never
'een required to rsside At the Capitor, neith-
z have they done 80 and feel veil assured
hat until an Executive mansion il provided.
v material addition made TO the salarv.
lone Will, IN the future, desire to incur "a
Expenditure ZAP in excess Of the compensatiou
lloved by lAv. Although during he pssied
y my hrst administration, ia consequence Of
he military responsibilities Il involved. the
iui'ss we're unusually diversified and exieud.
u, vet even then, had my residence bsen a.
he Capital. could have given mueh more
attention 10 the ordinary basiness of the Ex.
'entiye of6ee which, owing to Absence.
sas compelled q entsust b others. Nv own
therefore, - ven e Renersl obs
ervation, have impressed me- with the iu>
,ostance Of this addition TO the oiliss Of Gov.
'rnor, and can not therefore % strongly
lfss u upon your attention,
PUBLIC LASpu.
The report Of the Register Of she Ssns>
land Office wiz furnish the General Assem-
ny with m accurate and comprehensive
'iews OF all matters connected with the sever.
! grants made By Congress for the hsns6s Of
he State.
Since the former report from shat cepars>
ncnt WAS submitted, there have been Pct
'nssd 10 the Ssnts, under the several 9i.ais
or educational purposes 1878 sesee of
aid oil Of which has been sold and pasens>
d By the State to individual purchasers.
he claims for Swamp Land and indemnify,
lied BY the different counties, are beirg earn.
'ssly pre-. cd before the proper depart tsusns
i Washington, and am able 70 assure YOU
hat lhey are gradually approaching faal
Ind favorable adjustment. During the lsss
biennial period, aud up to the date Of Col.
Carpenters report. the State has received.
inder the swamp Land grant, patents fos
s41, ,9l6 acres, and 81 &c tie date u said re
port, patents FIR 42.730 additional acrcs
have been received at the Executive Office.
These lands. have all been patented to the
proper counties in pursuance Of lcw Ard vf
he grant made bv III. =