Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-08-04

in almost all cases they are brought
here by the sufferers. 1t is my de-
liberate opinion, based upon years
of observation, and strengthened by
that of others, that nowhere in the
world may man attain to greater
age than here in Iowa.
With such beginnings, and such
capacity for future development,
who can depict, much less over
draw, the future Of s'this wilderness
of centuries we call our prairie
home" With soil amply compen-
sating agricultural skill, with manu-
facturers steadily increasing, with
commercial facilities rapidly multi
plying, with an abundance of fuel,
and with a delightful climate, the
evidences of greatly enhanced ma
terial prosperity in the future may
well justify the anticipations of the
most sangulne.
There are yet in the possession of
the United States government about
100000 acres, lying in the north
western counties, all of which may
be entered as homesteads under the
act of Congress, without expense
other than fees of officers, amount
ing to $l4 for tract, the maximum
size of which is eighty acres. The
railroad companies, owning over
100000 acres Of lands, in the
western part of the State, offer them
at various prices, ranging from So
per acre, upwards, payable on easy
terms. Tracts of land can also be
obtained from private parties at
low rates, in most Of the counties.
In all these eases, the fee-simple
title passes with the lands, lease
holds of farming lands, except from
year to year con shares" as it is
called, being rare. Homestcads, to
the amount Of half an acre in town.
or forty acres in the country, are ex-
empt from seizure for debt. No
Imprisonment for debt is permitted
Our form of government, as you
are doubtless aware, is that of a
democratic republic-"a govern
ment of the people, by the people,
and for the people" All power Ill
timatelv resides in the people, by
whom, directly or indirectly, all Of
ficers are chosen. The Legislature is
composed of two branches, meeting
every alternate winter. The mem.
hcrs Of one house (the Senate) are
! chosen for four years; those Of the
other (the House of Representatives
for two years. Every male citizen
of the United States, who has re
sided within the State six months
and within the county where he
offers to vote sixty days, is entitled
to vote No property qualification
Of any kind is required.
The population of the State, as
shown by the Census of 1870, is J.,
1882 people. 1t is now about
one and quarter millions. This
is all the growth of less than forty
wears, the first settlement in what
is now Iowa having been made with
in that period Of time. The number
Of inhabitants to the square mile is
at present about twcnty-three. With
the density Of England, Iowa would
have over 100000 of population;
with that Of Belgium, $4,000, 900.
Our public school system is estab
lishcd upon broad basis, and large
amounts are annually expended ton
the education Of the youth. "The
resources of the State should cdu-
cate the children Of the State" is a
maxim Of our public policy, and ON
laws are framed to carry out the
principle therein suggested. \ per
mancnt school fund of some $1,000
600 yields an annual income OF
about eight per cent. This fund
will be increased by future sales ol
lands possibly Sl,o00,ooo. During
the year that ended October 3D.
1870, there were COLI schools in til,
State. attended by sos, S03 pupils
The value Of school property and
apparatus at that date was 1912 !,
77l.S7.
In many Of the county capitals
and large towns, free high schools
are established, in which the ele
mcntary studies Of Il good English
education may be pursued, and
students CA fit themselves for the
colleges, or the University. \ Stat,
University, with an endowment O
$50, 900 4 year, and an Agricultural
Collegc-one of the best in the
country-with an income Of som,
$40, 900, in which schools, classical
scientific, and professional cduca
ton is given free, complete oul
common school system. Scvcra
denominations of Christians hay.
likewise colleges and schools o
high order, all eady literally endow
ed.
have thus, Mr.. President, SCI
forth in brief some Of the leading
features Of the condition, resources
capabilities, and prospects OF oul
State for the consideration Of your
self and your association. | hope
it will prove of some survicc to you
| can only rciterate the assuranc.
that you are welcome to Iowa, ex
pressing the hope that Of the abun
dance Of unoccupied room in oul
State, many of your fellow-members
may carve ont for themselves com
Portable homes, and become uscfu'
and influential citizens Of our com
monwealth.
| have the honor to be youl
obcdicnt servant,
SAMUEL MERRILL.