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

The Auditor of State, in a very accepta.
BILE table. estimates the income for the
two years ending November 2, 1878, at
81, 972, 400, and the expenditures at ST.
341 500, leaving towards meeting the
above mentioned special demands, and
any other for which the Legislature may
deem it advisable to provide, the sum Of
only $780, 900.
THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
The report Of the late State Geologist
was published last winter in two very
elegant volumes, and circulated extern
sively in our own and other countries as
required by the act authorizing its pub
LEGATION. 1t has called forth high encomi-
INNS for its scientific and general excel
lence from eminent authorities both in
Europe and America. It is to be regret
ted, however, that the survey could not
have been completed before the publica-
ton Of the work; and hope it will be
resumed at no distant day, and carried
through to completion.
RAILROADS.
On the 2lst Of December, 1868, there
were l448 miles of railroad in the State,
and on the 3lst of December, 1870, there
were 2,7e3 miles. an increase of | 1885
miles in the two years There are now
5000 miles of railroad in operation in
the State. According to the estimate Of
the Treasurer Of State. the valne of the
property now in railroads may be put at
rather more than $50, 10000 or about
one eleventh of the entire value of all
the property in the State. The magni-
tude of this interest is now so formida.
BILE as in my opinion to demand some
measure of official supervision. At
present railroad companies, upon the
completion of their lines, are required
to report to the legislature, stating 1.-The
amount paid in" the entire expenses Of
construction, 'the length of the road,
the number Of planes on it, with their
inclination to the mile, the greatest
curvature OF the road, the average width
of the grade, and the number Of ties per
mile" l am not aware that any rail
road company in the State has complied
with this requirement; certainly very
few, if any. have done so. 9l
Each railroad is also required to
report, under oath, to the Secretary of
State annually, showing the amount"
Of its capital stock. and amount paid
thereon the amount Of bonds issued,
and how secured, and all other in
debtcdness; the length of such rail
road when completed, and how much is
built and in use; the number of acres of
land donated or granted to them, by
whom. and what disposition has been
made of said grants or donations the
gross amount Of receipts. and how dis
bursed the net amount of profits and
the dividends made, with such other
facts MS may lie necessary to a full state
ment of the affairs and condition of such
railroads" This requirement is COM
piled with by only small number Of
aud it is not made the duty
of any officer to enforce the provisions
of either statute. The latter report may
be compelled by writ Of mandamus
asked for by any stakeholder; but there
is no penalty in either case for failure
to make report. fit were made the
duty of some public officer to enforce
the making Of these reports, there can be
but little doubt that they would be OBJ
tanned. O.her States with larger cx-
pcricnce than ours, yet with interests
no greater, require systematic re-
ports for the information of the people
and to aid in intelligent legislation |
There are also questions of safety for
life and property, in the management
and repairs of old roads and in the
of new ones, that suggest
The need of Official supervision. would