Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-01-23
TO IMPROVE THE MISSOURI.

APPTOPTI8E1nS S9sOOO IOr the POoC-
The Money to Be Applied to the Stretch
OF River From IT'S Mouth to Sioux City.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-Congressman
Hubbard has introduceda bill of great
Importance to Missouri. It provides
for the expenditure of 81 ,000, 900 year
for four years, to continue the improve
ment of the Missouri river from it's
mouth to Sioux City, Ia
The bill was prepared under the SUI
pervision of the entire Missouri dele
cation, and Congressman Hubbard was
chosen to become its particular spon-
sor because of the study he has made
of the work which has been done on
the Missouri river up to date. and his
fitness on that account to argue the
necessity ana advantage Of the contin-
uance of the work.
After his election to congress DR..
Hubbard travelled the entire length OF
the Missouri and Usage rivers within
the borders of Missouri, and fully in
formed himself of what had been ac-
complished through appropriations
heretofore made and the needs for the
future.
The appropriations made by previous
congresses for the Missouri river have
been devoted to that stretch of river
between jefferson City and the mouth
of the Gasconade. This particular
stretch was selected because it was the
worst on the river, and If it was found
that improvement could be made be-
tween those points which would be
permanent in it's character and benefits
the feasibility of reopening the entire
length of the river in Missouri to navi-
cation would be conclusively shown.
The work done between Jefferson
City and the Gasconade has been most
successful. Opposite the mouth of the
Usage. which was the worst point of
the stretch improved, there was former
ly depth of but two feet in low water.
Now there is % feet in low water.
in holding the Missouri's current with
the proper kinds of bikes and break
waters.
DIR. Hubbard, when the bill comes up
for consideration in the house, is pre-
pared to show by indisputab BILE facts
that the actual and immediate benefits,
accruing to Missouri will be many times
greater than the amount necessary to
confine the stream and render it navi-
gable. 1t has been shown by the work
already done that 500 acres to the mile
of Missouri bottom lands can be re-
claimed, and this land can be
sold at 500 an acre. This is not a
suggestions value. DR.. Hubbard cites
a particular case, near ChamOiS,
in his district. where a farmer tried to
sell his bottom lands for $50 an acre
because they were subject to floods,
and could not get it, but after the work
done by the river commission had af
forded adequate protection to this land
the owner sold it for 500 an acre. DIR.
Hubbard also has statements from the
officials of the counties bordering on
the Missouri giving estimates of the in
creased valuations which would be
brought about by the continuance Of
the river improvement. The county
clerk of Warren county states that
Warren county alone would have ST.
600. 900 added to its taxable wealth.
DIR. Hubbard, from the facts in his
possession. estimates that the amount
necessary to reopen the Missouri to
perfectly safe navigation will be s5O,-
600 mile. He says that as soon as
this is done a line of steamers will be
put on. They would be of great bene-
fit to the state in handling the heavy
cargoes, and also in keeping down rail-
road rates.
The steamer Benton, which sank at
Arrow Rock in consequence of the OBJ
structions in the channel, had been
having more freight rendered than she
could carry.
There is much Indignation among
Missourians having interests along the
banks of the Missouri over the trans
fer of Col. Suter, who has had charge
of the work thus far done. What he
has accomplished has proven so salts
factory that the intrusting of the con-
tinuance of the work to new man,
unacquainted with the character of
the Missouri, is considered to be grave
mistake.
One Opinion.
Formerly criminal lawyers depended
largely upon eloquent pleas before the
jury and skill in examining witnesses
to gain favorable verdict. Now they
depend to a great extent upo1 continue
ances, changes of venue and other dila-
tory tactics to wear justice out. The
hands of trial judges are tied, and
criminals suit their own convenience
about going to trial. This is the
reason criminal costs are threat
ening to eat up the entire rev.
| enue of the state. No doubt the 1egis-
lature of 1897 will be confronted
with deficiency of $500, 900 in criminal
costs. and under the present laws it
will be necessary to appropriate ST.
900. 900 to maintain the enforcement of
laws that are disgrace to civilization.
At the rate criminal costs have been
growing the past few years. the pres
ent levy for state revenue will soon be
inadequate. In all seriousness. this is
matter that demands the attention
OF the public. Jefferson City Tribune.
One Must Hang the Other to Prison.
Gov. Stone has announced his final
determination not to interfere in the
case of James Fitzgerald, who is to be
hanged at st. Louis on January 81 for
the murder of his sweetheart, Annie
Naesens.
The death sentence Of Joseph Dom
nelly. of Audrain county, has been
committed by the governor to so years
in the penitentiary.
Surprised Himself and P1aymates.
Rex Wiley, the s-year-old son of John
Wiley, of Lamar, surprised himself and
some other lads with whom he was
PLAYING bv an act which nearly ended
his life. Young Wiley slipped rope
over tree. and then a moose over his
head, mounted fence near by. and