The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-06
General Topics and Recommendations.

DeA'p oiAN lhI WIZ II asntlIbl1 lho llbb has
on the whole, been satisfactory. While in 1881
the work did not proceed quite as actively as
has been anticipated, IL has during the year just
closed been prosecuted rs diligently as the most
sanguine could well have hoped. Under the care
ful and vigilant supervision OF tine commissions
ers, it is believed that 1t has been thoroughly
well executed, and Will bear the sternest tests.
1t is a subject of great regret that the execution
OF the remainder of the work is liable TO be
retarded by a dissatisfaction on he part of tho
contractors, arising from losses said by the m 20
have been necessarily incurred while they have
been engaged III a diliSent and faithful perform
ance of their contract. The cost of materials
and the prices of lanOr have risen, as they claim,
altogether above what they expected, or what
might reasonably have been expected, when
they entered upon their undertaking. II they
should decline to proceed further under exist
ing circumstances, "A grave duty VIII be de-
volved upon you in determining what course
will be wlsest to secure an early and satistaet-
DRY execution Of the unfinished part Of the
work.
Provision was made in the contract that
changes directed by the commissioners, with the
consent OF the contractors, during the progress
of the work, should not operate to discharge the
bond, and in every instances where changes
have been made, they have been made with tho
consent or the contractors and in conformity to
an opinion of the Artoruey-Eeneral that the
change would not release the %sureties.
THE KANKAKEE MARSH.
At the last session of the General Assembly an
act was passed empowering the Governor to ap-
point a civil engineer to make a survey of the
wet and swamp lands of the Kaukakee region in
this State, and to take levels, and make careful
estimates, with a view of ascertainingt the cheap
est and most practicable outlets and routes,
by which to effect successfully drainage of that
vast body of fertile lands. An appropriation OF
five thousand dollars was made 10 enable the
engineer To prosecute the work, and the Gov
ernor was empowered, lat his discretion, to direct
surveys TO be made OF other wet lands for a Ike
purpose,
on the 5th day of May, 1881, I appointed a.
the civil engineer for the purpose contemplated
in the act, Professor John l.. Campbell, of Wa
bash College, who had been successfully con
Quoting the United States geodetic survey IN
this State. He accepted the appointment, and,
having organized a corps OF assistants, entered
promptly upon his Important work. | cannot
TOO highly commend the manner in which he ana
his able corps of assistants have discharged
their duties. His clear and exhaustive report
should receive your most attentive considera-
ton.
The vast region of the Kaukakce is shown to
he one of the most fertile regions of the State,
and by the excavation of a nearly straight chan
mel to conduct the water of the river, a sufficient
fall can be obtained to effect a thorough drain
age. The ease with which the channel can be
constructed Is most gratifying, ma the cost Of
effretinG Il drainage, however conslda rahle 10
may appear, bears no sort OF proportion to the
additional value which drainage will impart Ia
the lands. These lands, on account OF their
proximity to Chicago, are covered by a network
of Lending lines of railroads. The estimates OF
Alb Elbt W Nv - vi "a llib1blAN anu CUuScINd-
tive temper, may he regarded rs being certainly
above, rather than below, what would he the
actual cost of the work required TO be done.
II was hoped that the rocky bottom of the bed
of the river, which begins III Illinois, two miles
west OF our State line, would not at that point
oppose any obstacle to Il thorough drainage, hut
the engineer believes that the water, flowing
through its new channel, holding particles Of
earth in suspension, would be likely 10 deposit IL
sediment at that point and make a bar which
might render lands adjacent to the river liable
TO overflow. He thinks that for II distance Of
half the length OF the contemplated channel the
WORK OF drainage can safely he prosecuted with
out delay, but that the rest of the work should
await an acquisition Of the right to remove for a
specined distance the rocky obstruction referred
to. a belief has been expressed, however, by
some hydraulic engineers, that until the new
channel snail practically cease to r.
the stream muddy, any tendency ~
create "A bar at the point mentioned u
PROBABLY he prevented ny one OF the small We .-f.
needed at any rate to be maintained III the 5T
for some time after the completion of the - tt.
being fitted with simple mechanical appha
enabling IL to stir the sediment and keep u
suspension IntIl it can pass off in the cufH.Lf
which flows freely over the rocky bottom o lns
river at that point.
With respect to the manner in which thi tH
portant undertaking shall he prosecuted, la.-
will no doubt be found Il diversity of OPT la
The law of 1869, which was intended TO Pre- rta
a practical scheme for the accomplishment
the work, WAS repeated by the General Asse D.
soon after its Enactment. 1t was found tina
effect of the law would be 10 subject TO sale Ir
non payment of assessments the lands of mo q
the small pronrietors. Such proprietors ca af
pay dhh CNhbiltEtlilt dSSt6SUlCHlb Nilllt Il
crease of crops, OccasiOued by "a reclamatiC
their lands, provides them with the mean uf
aymeut Some method must be devised, If aer
are TO he protected, by which the work ma 60
on and there may be a reasonable delay i'll the r1I
lection OF the assessments. With respect to ts
portion of these lands included in tie graL.
of swamp lands made TO the State
by tine United States, the Stats
engaged. when IL sold them. that the proceeds
of the sales should be applied toward draining
them. H. must he confessed that THIS engage
ment was imperfectly kept. The more sanguine
proprietors have hoped that, IN eUnsiderati On Of
this fact, the State would, at its own expense,
undertake. to drain these lands. II does not,
however, seem 10 me likely that the Legislature
would Dc willing to charge the State with the
expense of SO considerable an undertaking. But
the fact mat the State so ilnperfectly kept Its
engagement should certainly incline 81 TO y
course of liberal legislation. II is belieyed that
it would he competent for the State itself TO adj
vance money. retaining a lieu on the lands for +,
return thereof; bat If this should be deemed in
expedient, 1t might empower the counties 10 be
benefited by the drainage to guarantee bonds 10
be Issued In payment for the work, retaining u
lien on lands benefited. in analogy to the provis-
ion respecting aid to gravel-road companies.
The subject is ono Of so great Importance that
1t should engage your carly aud most earnest
attention.
FEES AND SALARIES.
For many years complaints have been made
in the more populous counties that the fees and
salaries of officers were TOO large for the serv-
ices performed. 1t has also been asserted that
the means to which there are often
strong temptations to resort for obtaining nom
nations for offices so lucrative, and for securing
success at the polls, have a corrupting effect
upon elections. Before the adoption Of the con
stitutional amendments of 1881, the Legislature
was deprived of the power of curing this sup
posed evil. In that year an amendment was
passed which has removed the difficulty. 1his
amendment was submitted to the electors of the
State, and prevailed by a majority of more thon
10000 votes. A session of the Legislature has
interviewed since this amendment WAS
adopted, hut no act has been passed regulating
the compensation of mi GERS in the manner cen
teIuplated. Every officer shonld he adequately
paId for hs services, ont 10 Ia due 10 the
people that no greater sum shall be
taken from them. In tho way Of fees ana
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