Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-01-18

results, in the amount of work done for the
money invested, the enhanced value OF proper
ty, the employment given to persons who
might otherwise require public support, and
inspiration it would impart to individual effort
would amply compensate for the additional
burdens. Again. it would be better to borrow
money for the prosecution OF needed improve
ments at time like the present, than to forego
the advantages for doing the work afforded by
the occasion. Never before in the history Of
the State, has the State and municipal credit
stood higher, nor could money be borrowed At
lower rates cannot say that favor borrow
ing money by the State, with our present rate
Of taxation. Less than half dozen of our sis
ter States have so low rate as Iowa, the aver
age being not far from twice az great as ours.
A moderate increase of the State levy is, there
fore, in my opinion, preferable to issuing bonds,
--particularly as the latter would not bring in
the needed funds much sooner than would the
increased levy because of the fact that the
question of borrowing must be voted on at the
general election. But l. deem the present, and
probably the future for few years, sosoppor-
tune for the erection OF needed public edifces,
that believe it we'll to consider every plan for
accomplishing the object that may have any
feasibility.
RAILWAYS. ,r
The right of the lawmaking power TO regu
late railroad tariffs has been sustained by the
highest judicial tribunal of the land, and sus-i
tanned too not merely because OF the ample re-
servations made in the land grants and other
acts Of our legislatures, but on broader prin-i
ciples, such indeed, as are essential to well
ordered governments and cannot hut think
that corporate rights are more securely guard
ed to-day by reason of this decision than If the
determination of the disputed question had
been otherwise. In bringing about this result,
the State of Iowa has had, as it were, the lead
ership, the mastery argument OF its late at
torney-general apparently pointing the way to
the decision. The matter of authority having
been Invested of doubt, the consideration of
the tariff question may now be had freed from
much of the acrimony attending previous dis
cussions Of the subject. see no good reason
for the entire repeal OF the law am aware
that it is argued that its retention has the eff
feet to deter capital from investing IN railroads
in Iowa. This NAV be, but do not find the
absence of such a statute has had the effect, TO
hasten more rapidly the construction OF rail
roads in neighboring states. ! find that, dur
ing the years 1874, 1873, and 1876 the increase
of railroad mileage In Iowa was greater, both
absolutely and relatively, than in either OF our
sister states on the north and west, while those
of our neighbors that showed most decided in
crease were Illinois and Missouri both having
laws similar to ours. Nevertheless, ! believe It
wise that thorough examination be had intp
the working Of the details 81 the law, and such
notifications made therein as may, seem for
the best interests Of both the people and the
railroads. The State Of Iowa has been liberal
in the extreme to this class Of enterprise. The
first IMMIGRANTS made by Congress were turn
ed ever to the companies absolutely, although
the act Of Congress contemplated the sale al
the lands by the State as earned, and the devo-
ton of the proceeds to the construction OF rail
roads: the companies were permitted to select
these lands regardless OF their line OF road; and
they we're allowed, virtually, their own time to
complete their work, notwithstanding that the
main object Of the grants was to secure then
completion at an early day. Townships, towns,
and cities have been permitted to tax the prop
erty within their limits to help build the roads,
and the revenue thus deriyed WAS turned over
absolutely to the companies constructing them,
while much of the property OF these companies
practically escape municipal taxation. That
State which has been thus muniicent In her
encouragement of this class OF enterprise
should have some control In the management
of these roads, so largely the creatures OF 1ts
bounty~is only a reasonable demand. That this
control shall be 1judiciously exercised, so that
while preventing extortion on the one hand, It
shall not discourage enterprise on the other,
Is equally the dictate Of wisdom. t.t9
The creation of the Office of railroad com
missioner, with the power and,duties similar to
those exercised by like officials in other States,
to be filled by some competent persons, skllled
In the knowledge needed in such position,
believe advisable, and recommend that the
Governor, with the consent of the executive
council or Senate, be authorized to make such
appointments. -,. o. ,f -.
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and Him
Milwaukee & st. Paul Railway Company, havr
ing each filed the bond as required by chapter
1873 of the acts of the last general assembly, my
predecessor issued to them certificates in May,
1916, that they had complied with the act,
Since then it is believed the tariff law has been
very generally complied with BY the railroad
companies. M .-. ,ig.ffI A.4 ~ /
During the past two years, the Sigouney
branch Of the Chicago, Rock Island Il Pacific
Railroad has been extended to knoxville, the
county seat OF Marion county, making an adj
dition Of forty nine miles, The Pacific division
of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids q NortheIn
Railway has been built from Traer into Grundy
county, to new place called Holland, a dis
lance Of twenty-five miles, while the main hne
was built from Plymouth, Cerro Gordo county,
| to junction with the central railroad OF Iowa
Northwood, Worth county, Northwood to Az
ing about nine miles. The Iowa Pacific Rail-
road, operated by the Chicago, Dubuque &
|. Minnesota Company, has been extended from
| Export, Clayton county TO Lima, Fayette conn
| ty. thirty 1--WE miles. The Des MOines and Min
nesota Railroad has been built ten miles fur
| Their, to Story City,, Story county. The ChieaI
20, Newton & Southwestern has passed into
| the hands Of the Iowa, Minnesota s. North Pa
cific Company and the branch road has been
completed from Newton to Monroe, making an
| addition of thirteen miles. The Sioux City u
Pembina road, operated By the Dakota South
| in Plymouth county A new narrow gauge has
been constructed by the Burlington & North
western Railway Company, from Burlington to
Winfield, Henry county, thirtyiour miles IN
Guiding third rail for part OF the distance on
another road The Maple River Railroad has
been recently built from the Chicago y North
western Railway, through Sac & Ida counties,
to Mapeton, in Monona county. The Fort
Dodge & Fort Ridgely Railroad was finished
during 1877, giving the State four thousand one
hundred and ten miles in all
While upon this subject it is proper to invite
YOUR attention to the inequalities connected
| with the present mode Of taxing this class OF
property This mode is based upon the theory