Year: 1868




Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Q,


There are afew subjects of special in
terest to which I desire to call your at
tention, and which wish to make the
basis Of some recommendations for leg
islative action. &.s .


The successful settlement of the claims
of our State against the General Govern
ment, has placed our finances in a most
satisfactory condition. Col. Dewey, by
whose faithful services 80 large sum
has been placed in our treasury, ought
to receive the thanks of the Assembly,
and compensation more nearly COM
mensurate to the valuable results he
has been instrumental in effecting. The
good fortune which has attended his
connection with this matter, plainly in
dicates the advisability Of empowering
him To complate its final settlement. I
would therefore recommend that he be
authorized to prosecute the work to its
conclusion; and moreover, that he be
allowed certain per cent. upon all
claims to be recovered, in addition to
the compensation he now receives.


RAILROADS.


The development of our agricultural
and mineral resources is largely affected
by the completeness and extent of our
facilities for transportation. This fact
renders it imperative that the State pur-
sue liberal and even generous policy
in dealing with this class of corporations.


The Dubuque and Sioux City Rail
Way Company having failed to comply
with the essential conditions upon
which their land grant was conferred,
would unite with my predecessor in re-
its resumption by the
State. When that shall have been done,
let it be bestowed upon some Company
the most indubitable assurance
Of rapid and energetic extension of the
road. Whatever corporation shall be
invested with this valuable grant, let
the conditions of TIME be made especial
~ prominent, 80 that the fertile region
which has so long awaited the compile
ton Of this line, may be placed in early
with the great markets
Of the interior and the East.


The Act Of Congress, approved May
IL, 1864, conferred upon the State grant
Of land Ito aid in the construction of a
railway from a point at or near the foot
Of Main street, South McGregor, in
direction by the most practical
Bile route on or near the Add parallel or
North latitude" This grant of land
was conferred upon acorporation known
IS the McGregor Western Railway
Company, but no patents have yet been
ssued to them by the Secretary of the
Interior, on the ground that the condi-
ions of the grant have not been COM
plied with by the company. This action
was taken only after careful examina-
ion of the subject by a competent officer
If the Department. Disclaiming any
'ther feeling than an earnest desire for
he promotion Of the interests of that
section affected by the -fulfillment
If those terms, and consequently, of the
state, cannot perceive how the action
If the Secretary could have been other
wise in the premises. The line of road
now constructed does not start from the
designated point, and does not run in
The direction proposed by the law of
Congress. While road from McGregor
20 st. Paul is most commendable en-
,erprise, and merits, as it receives, the
gratitude Of Northern Iowa, a sense of
geographical propriety forbids US to har-
Dor the idea that such a road comedies
With the 4sd parallel or secures the OBJ
ect intended in the land grant.


The company, then, which was the
beneficiary of the grant having failed to
execute in good faith the trust reposed
n nthem, l deem it the early duty of
he State to resume it and hold it for
he benefit of some corporation which
will undertake and prosecute the work,
n accordance with the letter of the law,
o its early and final completion.


Whatever may be the authority of the
State over railroad corporations already
ormed and grants already ceded, it is
'lain that in the disposition of those
which may hereafter revert to the State.
equations may be imposed for the pro-
ection of the interests of the people
'gainst the impositions of MONOPOLY
'ully conscious of the danger of estab-
is'ling any restrictions tending 10 dis
courage these valuable enterprises, I am
nevertheless persuaded to recommend !
he insertion Of clause in every future
rant prohibiting determinations in the I
arrangement Of freight tariffs and fares
n this State. While the people demand
ailroads, they also demand Just and
quitable rates Of transportation. Reas-
n would seem to indicate that the ex- /
'ense of transportation should be Dro
alta. With some modification Of this
ule in the case of short transfers. II
ould work no Injustice, for it would
imply subject railroad companies to the
anne law of compensation which pre-
'ails In all other avenues Of labor.


SCHOOL FUND.


The puar(iianahin of fhis ;,,,o.t.