Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-01-19

IOWA, FRIDAY, j.
of the fact that cities and towns may
also tax themsflves in aid of rail
roads, so that Shere may be two FIVE
per cent. levies- -those of the town.
ship and the municipal corporation
the same property at the
same time. This would make q
possible aggregate of fifteen dollars
and ninety cents upon hundred
dollars, aside from amount raised
for teachers, and contingent funds
for the payment of judgments and
on account of bonded indebtedness.
I am personally cognixant of an in
dependent district where, on ac-
count Of two Of these three items, a
tax of three and half per cent. has
been levied for the year 1871.
To my mind, five per cent. is as
high a rate as should be levied upon
any property in any one year, exclu-
sive of amounts necessary on ac-
count of bonded indebtedness.
As a judicious step towards such
limitation, ! recommend the repeal
of the acts ofstS6S and 1870, allow
ing townships, &C., to tax them
selves to aid in building railroads.
Under these acts, or moro properly
that of 1870, as we have seen, the
sum Of 81, ,077, ,803.38 was levied in
that year. 1t is fair to estimate
that an equal amount was voted in
1871; in all, over $2,loO,0O0.OO. It
is believed that most of this outlay
has been well invested, and will
bring ample return in increased
facilities, influx Of po-
pulation, and development of re-
sources to the communities inter-
estcd. Nevertheless, the policy is
at best questionable one, to be
justified only because of the great
benefit expected from it, to be re-
tanned only for time, and by no
means to become part Of the per-
law of the State.
At the last session of the General
Assembly, a new act upon this
subject was passed with greater
restrictions, the act of 1868 having
been declared unconstitutional by
the Supreme Court. The constitu-
tionality of the new act was also
called in question; but it was sus-
tanned by the Supreme Court at it's
December term, 1870, in the case Of
Steward vs. Supervisors of Polk
At the same term, in the
case of the McGregor & Sioux City
Co. vs. Birdsall, the court
overrulcd the former
decision as to the act of 1868. Thus
both statutes may now be consider
ed operative: the latter act not re-
pealing the earlier, nor in conflict
with it; although doubtless it was
the intention Of the legislature that
the new statute should suspend the
other.
The revenue received from the
during the last two years
to $292,s77.l4, Of which
was retained In the State
treasury, the balance being paid to
the counties through which the
roads run. 1t is manifest that the
counties now receiving the revenue
from this source, also enjoy, mainly,
the benefits and advantages con-
sequent upon the building of the
roads. They are afforded by these
the speediest access to the
markets of the world, and conse-
quently the best prices for their
products. On the contrary, those
parts Of the country which do not
enjoy any of this revenue are depri-
we'd Of all the facilities afforded
by these great works Of improve
ment, and are compelled to trans
port their products long distances
to the railroad lines, and really to
pay tribute to the more FORUM
ate localities. l would suggest, as
measure of justice to all parts of
the State, that the entire proceeds
Of this tax be paid into the State
treasury, believing such the most
equitable disposition thereof that
can be made. The increased rcve-
nue. thus derived would be of SER
vice in the construction Of the
public buildings, and the improve
ments at the various institutions,
that will be needed during the COM
ing two years.
INDEBTEDNESS.
The debt of the State, exclusive
Of bonds issued to the school fund,
remains as stated in my former
message, viz: $500, 900 in war and
defense bonds. This debt will be-
come due in 1881. l recommend
that authority be given, under prop
er restrictions, for the purchase Of
the bonds and the early extinguish-
ment of the debt. The disposition
l have suggested of the railroad
taxes wuold materially assist in
bringing about this consummation,
PUBLIC LANDS.
The report of the Register of the
State Land Office is herewith sub
mitted. 1t contains additional lists
of land granted by the General Gov
ernment for various purposes. From
this report, in connection with that
from the same Office two years ago.
we find that the grants to the State
for all purposes amount to 7,2s2,-
s35.35 acres, Of which 1900, 1871
acres were for works Of internal
Improvement under the acts Of Con-
gress Of lS46, 1856 and 1864. In
addition TO this munificent gift, the
Register reports that the railroads
have received, direct from the Cen
eral Government, under the act OF
June 2, 1864, the amount Of 597 ,996.-
"a acres, making q grand aggregate
for railroads and the Des Moines
river Improvement, in the State of
Iowa, of 4,S9S, ,l4s.35 acres, or near
ly fourteen per cent. of the entire
area Of the State.