The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1870-01-20
Chr Option aarertistr.
c. l.. LONGLEY, EDITOR.
Upton, IOWA:
THURSDAY, JANUARY %, 1870.
The Governors Message.

! The Message OF Governor Merrill de-
! livered to the General A>se, nbly Tues
( day afternoon of last week is docu.
I meut which should be read with inter
/ est, and could not be read without, by
every citizen of Iowa. The scope of
/ this important document is such that its
! perusal will repay the reader with sue
cinct information regarding the condi-
/ ton, progress and prospects of the State
! in its every department.
! Touching the finances Of the State,
he gives a resume Of receipts, expendi
lures, debts and resources that is alike
complete and satisfactory. Abiding to
the Census report for 1859, he commends
its comprehensive completeness, addu-
ces many interesting facts from its sta
tistics, among them that the increase i'm
population since the last previous emu
meration Is IS per cent. per annunl,
ahont two and half times the average
annual increase OF the United States
during each decennial period.
The extent Of various land grants
made to the State is given in acres; and
the fact stated that these, with grants
made by Congress direct to certain rail
roads, include one fourth Of the territory
of the State.
! The facts and figures given regarding
| common schools are particularly intest-
ing, and assure the eminent success of
our school system. The Governors
suggestions regarding an increase of
( Normal school facilities by legislative
assistance are worthy Of cousidera-
ton.
The Institution for the Blind for the
Deaf and Dumb, and the Hospital for
the Insane, each receive attention in
the Message. Interesting statistics are
given regarding them and suggestions
are made to which the Legislature will
do well to defer. Particularly is this
the case with the recommendation that
provision be made for the employ
of the blind at the Institution, which i
now only educational, looking to the
early establishment of an industrial
home.
In regard to Soldiers Orphan.
Homes, Of which there are three in the
State, the Governor recommends an
early discontinuance Of two, and con
|; centration of aid, public or private, upon
, the remaining one; also, the lease o
: land to be cultivated by the boys of til,
t Home family, and the erection of shop
where trades would he learned, and a
, the same time, assistance rendered il
the support of the institution.
The part of the Message devoted Il
t railroads enumerates what has beer
, done and is doing, alludes to the ques
ton of regulating tariffs by legislation
t and while expressing doubts as to its ex
pediency, favors the more sensible plar
of defeating eXorbitant rates by encour
f aging capital to build competing lines
: and also by opening and improving oul
communication by water with the mar
kets OF the world. Concerning til.
swamp lands the Governor says; II re
commend that the most stringent pro
visions be made by law in regard to TIT
disposal o. the swamp lands of the sew
cral counties. The sales of these land.
should be widely advertised beforehand
not only in the particular locality Of the
lands, but also in some Of the leading
cities of the State, that full opportunity
may be given to all desiring to become
purchasers, and ;aat the land may yiele
the largest income obtainable." The
necessary coditication Of our statute
laws is recommended to he provided 70,
at once; and the fact alluded to that at
the general election Of the present year,
the question shall there be conven-
ton to revise the constitution and
amend the same"' is to be submitted to
the people. The recommendations OF
the Governor are almost without excep-
ton, deserving the attention ofthe Cen
eral Assembly. and the endorsement
aud support of the people of the favored
State over which he presides.