Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-01-23

not the ease is shown by the fact that the
moment lake and canal transport is
brought in competition with them
freights go down, while SO soon as these
competing channels are closed rates are
increased Railroad officials should also
consider, when they estimate the cost of
their lines, and then plead the justice of a
ten per cent. dividend upon these invest
ments, that the producer should not be
required to pay interest upon that por-
ton of the cost of railways which the
public furnished in the way of subsidy.
Nor should the public be required to pay
such rates as will afford profits upon
stocks that in no sense represent capital
Before closing upon this subject, I cannot
but express the hope that our railway
legislation will be so wisely adjusted to
the interests of the various sections of
the State that capital will be encouraged
to carry forward projected railroads in
those Localities which do not now enjoy
their advantages, and are sorely in need
of the facilities they will afford.
THE ROAD LAW.
The suggestion has been made, and I
cannot but regard it as the correct theory
un our form Of government, that if our
road laws were so amended as to bring
the responsibility for the economy and
efficiency with which they are admins.
tered, as well as for the condition of the
roads, more directly home to the great
mass of the people, we would have better
roads at less expense suggest for con.
sderation whether it would not be well
to make each road district Independent,
and provide that the people may come
together and levy tax to build high
ways as the law provides they may do to
build school houses This is the practice
in some states. and the result proves its
wisdom. If one enterprising district, for
the honor Of the neighborhood, secur es
good roads, the adjoining district is st.n
ulated to like enterprise. Contracts let
to competitors among neighbors, whose
reputation in the nelghborhood depends
upon faithful performance, are not only
usually done well but economically.
FISH CULTURE
uC plOldHttlOu VI DlOOh LIOul duu
fresh water salmon has been commenced
in Winneshfek, Clayton and Jackson
counties 1t has been demonstrated, by
| experiments extending over the last four
years, that the spring waters of our state
are suited to the culture Of fish, and that
the business can be made successful and
profitable | have been told that during
the last year over one thousand dollars
worth of fish, raised in artificial ponds,
were marketed from Clayton county. The
legislature should therefore provide ade.
quatc punishment for trespass upon the
premises devoted to this industry. and
give capital invested therein such other
protection as may be just and wise. This
industry has for years received encour
| agemcnt frcm legislative action in the
eastern states. The fishways of the
whole state, whether for artificial culture
| or for the native fish, should be regulated
| by law, and if in the future our people
expect to enjoy this great luxury, caught
| from the streams and lakes of Iowa, there
are certain seasons of the year when fish
should not be taken by either hook or
seine.
THE CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION.
My predecessor appointed Hon. Robt
| Lowry and Hon. G. +. Clarkson commits
sioners, and alternate, to represent Iowa
in the United States Centennial Commits
sion. They have performed their duties
with credit to the state; and as the time
approaches for this grand exhibition in
commemoration Of the hundredth ami
versary of our national independence, the
greatness of the undertaking, and the re-
sponsibility of those having it in Charge
become more and more apparent. In con-
nection with this subject several docu-
ments have been forwarded to this office,
making suggestions as to the steps which
it seems necessary each state should take
for itself in order to serure Il proper rep
rcsentation in the exposition. regard
| it as highly important that Iowa should
make creditable exhibition of the pro-
ducts of her soil, art and industry in this
great worlds fair, and will, therefore, at
an early day, lay the documents which
have been transmitted to me before the
general assembly, with such other sug-
gestions as may occur to me as O! impor-
lance at the time.
THE CONTINGENT FUND.
Of the appropriation of 1870, for con
tingent expenses of the executive Office, l
have disbursed $lS070; and Of the APP
preparation of 1872, for similar purposes
| have expended $l,3036S; amounting
in all to $1,4S43S vouchers for all of
which are on file in the executive office.
CONCLUSION.
In closing it may not be improper to
say that this message has reached great
CIR length than was intended. But as Iowa
has greatly increased in popula alton; in
her material interests and enterprises; in
the number and size of her educational,
charitable and penal institutions, all Of
which, in complying with the constitu-
tional direction, Ito give information of
the condition of the state" must be mott
ced; and, if noticed AT all, must necessa-
riy be considered at sufficient length to
cover the salient points Of their condition
and wants; have found it impossible to
compress the facts presented into less
space than has been occupied. If this
information shall aid you in the duties
you arc to perform, it will meet the only
purpose that gives me any anxiety. And
now, wishing you u harmonious session,
and hoping that your care and efforts to
promote all the great interests of our
state, may be Of such character as to de
serve and receive the blessings of Heaven,
| beg to assure you a cordial co opera
ton in the important work to which you
have been called.
CYRUS G. CARPENTER.