Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-03-15
Cur Dcs Moines LctSer.

En- BuLLErIN:-Thc last few days have
demonstrated that great men should have
thick skins, not to be penetrated by the
arrows OF the. critic, even though the
arrows may be cruelty barbcd and pro
pc,lcd by what appears to be malice; for
there is 10 more painful spectacle to look
,pon than great man writing.
Mr. Kasson led off, the other day, on a
question of privilege. The Register had
made some sharp remarks in regard to
pharmacies" and Mr.. X took the time of
the House, and at the expense of the
State he told his grief. This would not
have been so bad had he been the only
man with a grievance, but Mr. Campbell
followed suit, went very much fur
Their, and before lie got through, con-
WINGED himself that he was much .abu-
sed man, and worked himself into a very
respectable passion
Mr.. Close, not to be Outdone, III some
murdcrous remarks wiped out the re-
porter for the Dubuque Herald, and Cald-
well, of Wapello finally, at one fell
swoop, extinguishcd the entire brood OF
ncwspapers-all this and more against
editors. Irish championcd and defended
the absent editors, and answered every
attack upon them until it came to Cald-
well, but he being Il Republican in good
standing, Irish turned him over to Pratt,
who quietly took the starch ont of him
by calling to mind some little circnn,-
stances in his Legislative career.
: Next day the surface of things was
without ripple to show where SO many
ambitions, regulations and luck!css cdi-
tors went down, and the old State clock
and the Speakers gavcl ticHcd on. There
is no special harm and nothing new in
all this, for reporters have always scrib-
sblcd and orators have always spoutcd,
and the world has always enjoyed it
The only objection is that instead OF
those who dance paying the fiddler, the
State has to foot the bills, at the rate of
'aLont five hundred dollars and no pro
gress made to show for the money.
The Railroad Committee in the House
seemed, for seven long weeks, to be in Il
dense muddlc In its makeup the
Speaker observed precedence, and made
Caldwell, of Wapcllo, an old Republican
member, chairman, and Duncombc, a
Democrat, the ablcst railroad man i'll the
Assembly and man deeply interested in
railroad property, he put on at the foot.
So, Duncombc being at the stern of the
ship just naturally took the helm and
steered the craft SO cunningly that all the
report that Caldwell ever made during
two long months from that committee
was the report that he was not ready to
report, and this he made Il dozen times,
though they had al wagon load of pcti-
tions for prompt and decisive action
He did introduce bill on his own hook
to repeal all law taxing railroads.
But on Friday morning last he report
cd il railroad tax bill, which has been
constantly growing in the estimation OF
members and which is pretty certain to
pass the House without material change.
1t provides that tie Census Board shali
ascertain the value of every road as a
whole, and when thus asccrtaincd it is to
be divided evenly over the whole length
of, the road, and they are to certify to
each county through which a road passes
the amount of such valuation that sHch
county is entitled to-bascd upon the
length of such road within the county,
and upon this amount each county lcvics
taxes for all purposes. This bill is pop
ular with the country members for 1t
gives to an interior farming county with
thirty miles of road, just as much tax as
1T does to the county With thirty miles OF
the road that contains all the buildings
6nd real estate necessary to the terminus
Of, a long road The Burlington, Davcn-
port and Dubuque members are down on
the bill of course.
Il The question Of appropriation is be,
ginning to assume prominence and buz
SArs, little knots of members are seen all
shout forming the inevitable cddies pre-
paratory to their grand attack upon the
treasury No appropriation Bill has yet
passed, but there are Il half dozen in the
nth. No final action will be had on any
ofthcm for the present.
There IS very good feeling towards
the Hospital at independence, and GER
6ainly nothing but the spectre of an emp
ty treasury will permit the passing of a
bill, giving to that institution all that il
needs. The candid statement Of tho
Commissioners, the satisfactory report OF
the Visiting Committee and the clear eX
hibit of Mr.. Jossyn-who is known and
highly esteemed by quite number OF
members will all aid powerfully in secur
ing the amount needed
Yesterday the bill appropriatmg
two hundred thousand dollars for this
purpose passed the Senate without dis
senting vote or word of opposition, Al
effort will be made TO make it the specia
order in the House, ut an early day, bu'
it will have a rougher sea to sail in that
branch and. may possibly founder, as
many beautiful craft has done before.
Your editorial in regard to the stone
selected for the Capitol is regarded here
Eas being just and fair and rs representing
the matter in its true light. JONES.