Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-02-25

ana crippled all the industries and
manufactures, and ought to be re-
pealed.
Mr.. Woodruff, OF Dubuque, spoke
in favor of giving the law trial,
which it had not yet received, before
it shall be repealed. He claimed
that the railroads had not come up
to their duty in accepting the munif-
cent land grants, and hence the peo-
pie are justified in feeling exasperated
to wards them.
[ have dwelt on this at greater
length than | would have done ex-
cept for its great importance. The
people will hardly be prepared to
hear such doctrines as laid down by
Mr.. Wilson. And they will be
startled to know that the G. & N.
w. and the c., r. l. & P. have by q
single sweeping edict taken nearly y
million of dollars from the State over
what the old law would have allowed
them, by way of a threat or menace.
Now, if that be so, what is to hinder
them from extortlng the double of
that sum next year? And if the peo-
pie repeal this law, the question is
still the same. The companies any
time, by their own showing, can
raise their profits million or two in
any year. l hardly think the present
Legislature will repeal all laws on the
subject; but | do think that in all
points where defects have been
shown, these should be remedied at
once, and in this way | believe conf
dence will be restored far quicker
and be more lasting than to initiate
some great revolution.
The McGregor & Missouri land
grant has been discussed at consider
able length. The old company claim
that they have earned the lands by
general contract, and are ready, as
soon as times become favorable, to
fulfil in detail. They also claim that
they have done all that could have
been expected of them under the cir
cumstances. On the other hand, it
is asserted that for five years they
have not touched shovel, and that
the people have been deprived of Il
road, for which the lands were given,
and which pay no tax, and all rights
are forfeited. The Black Hills Com
pany are prepared to give security to
build the road, and if it could be
that branch could thus connect
with the coal regions at Fort Dodge
and down to Dubuque, it would be
of great value to the people.
But we have had other excite
ments. Fish Commissioner Shaw
addressed the House on fish culture,
and showed such good results from
the efforts Of the last two years that
an appropriation Of $4,000 passed
the House, and three Commissioners
are changed to one.
The Centennial is in favor here,
both Houses having agreed to the
appropriation of $4,000. Iowa will
be creditably shown up.
We have not got to hanging yet,
but came pretty near it. Our antedi-
luvian friend, Clark, of Marion, is al
most crazy Oh the subject, as the bill
to restore the death penalty in all its
pristine simplicity is his pet measure.
So he got it before the House and
then wanted to apply the gag so that
no speaking should be done. Mr..
Wilson, Of Jasper, made a pretty
good point on him, by saying that it
belonged to the affirmative to show
cause for changing the present sys-
tenn. Where are the figures? What
State has verified the statement that
the death penalty causes less crime?
Mr.. Madden and others plead for a
few days, that the bill might be
printed and examined, but the ''blood
for blood2 leaders were not disposed
to grant even that That much was
at last secured, and it comes up as Il
special order next Friday. / presume
it will pass the House, and possibly
the Senate may feel like trying the
experiment that was so essential in
the days of Moses. Isn't it nice to
be trying those old experiments over
in this Centennial year? But ! have
heard several say that they had once
thought of voting that way, but on
taking the second sober thought they
should do no such thing. 1t is a lit
tie curious sometimes to hear people
reason. Let horse be stolen and
the word will 90 out, ''Restore the
death penalty.' If case Of seduc
ton occur, ''Rcstore the death pen
altyr Between the trials of the
whisky ring, there is just enough
pause to sing out ''Restore the death
penaltyn' Not that there is any con
nection with these crimes which are
not punished with death, but it is a
chronic, thoughtless way of speak
ing; and the worst people we have
in the country are the loudcst to cry
out "Restore the death penalty"
But | have already too long
letter. Don't for moment think
that the Senator or Representative
from Buchanan think, talk or act
that way. 1t looked very natural to
see friend Bemis in the Senate cham
Der last week He has hosts of
friends down here. think that is so
all over the county. He is the only
one have heard for our next State
Treasurer. If there can be a better
one found, let us hear who it is?
The Treasurership.
The suggestion Of the nal e OF Mr..
BemIs in connection with the Re
publican nomination for Treasurer of