Rensselaer Journal, Volume 12, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 February 1903 — The Iroquois improvement. [ARTICLE]

The Iroquois improvement.

The Iroquois improvement was ordered to be made on September 5,1902. The viewers are at work on the plans to make and pay for the same. The location includes a main, seven laterals and four spur ditches. If the main were divided into three sections to include as the lower portion the rock excava tion, the middle to include the drainage of the long swamp and the upper all above the Yeoman lateral to respectively meet the demand for direct outlet, additional fall and the legal right to use existing fall, such working sections would benefit the land owners. The

Colt of the rock channel will be great, and the work tedious. That channel would afford sewerage and drainage directly to the city and some adjacent lands and furnish sufficient fall to complete the middle section. That section would afford drainage to the main swamp and a legal outlet for the upper section and all laterals whether located or not. The relief in the whole water shed dhows sufficient fall from the source of the upper main and all laterals to drain upon sai* marsh, whether located or not. If the ievd marsh was drained with proper depths an* capacity this would constitute a sufficient legdl outlet. Sec. I, The rock channel is to ad* depth to the marsh channel, which in turn grants the right to drain all tributary lands. “No upper section shall be accepted until it* outlet is constructed.” Sec. io. IfUiesurface and bottom work of all save the lower main was estimated Separately the owners of upper lands could have the channels out as deep as the top rock and when the rock Channel is completed finish the work. A separate schedule of benefits and costs for each latent and spur as well as the main ditch must be separated. Sec. I. (152 Ind. 244 ) Ifeach working section of the main ditch be treated as dependent on that below and a orate schedule for each reported the work -soul* proceed fairly, justly and quickly. There would be reported for the lower mam 'one schedule of benefits and costs covering the whole water shed. For the middle, .one would be added, for the laterals to the middle section including the upper main another, for the laterals to the upper main another, an* for the spans still another schedule of benefits. The direct sewerage and drainage, the added fall, the right to use existing fall, ** well as all elements of added value could thus be reported so that a separate account (Sec. 25) special tax duplicate (Sec. 12) an* allotment (Sec. 9) could be separate as to each ditch. Each section of the main an* each lateral and spur from its own special fun* must pay its own debts (Sec 12) and in addition the lands tributary to all but the lower main assist a fair and just share in building all sections from its mouth to the mouth of the whdtt: improvment. Secs. 1,5, 18. 104 Tad. 201 and 152 Ind. 121. Because the owner of the banks must keep them and the chann< free from vegetable growths and obstructions (Sec. 21) his allotment on such ditch shouM. be on his own land so he can so adjust the deposit, that such a duty may be rendered convenient and easy. It is due to those who make laterals an* spurs in this proceeding that their lands be taxed no more for outlet or fall from that cause. It is also due to all who pay that m burden be added by reason of such later*! work as may not benefit their lands. Direct collection or sale of bonds will create a special fund for each separate working section. Secs. 9, 13. Each ditch is a distinct debtor (Sec. 25) and the auditor must so keep the account. To enable him to do this the viewers must so report their items. Sec. 3. The auditor, clerk and engineer must also se report. Secs. 3,4, 6,7, 9. No one ditch is bound to pay another’s debts. Secs, it, 25. It is the duty of the officers to account for each as a guardian for his several wards. As there must be twelve, the addition of twa would be in the interest of farmers and justice. The lower lands cannot be compelled «• drain the upper lands. Sec. 18. As "the upper main and all laterals have a greater fall a. deposit will be made where the grade bends less near the mouth. The ditch from which the silt comes and in the mouth of which it is deposited should pay for removing it. Secs. 21, 22. The other portions of the system ought not to contribute. It is so clear that the report should separate the work so as t» fairly issue the bonds (Sec. 13), apportion the assessment (Sec. H), distribute the credit (Sec. 25), make the allotment (Sec. 9) an* pay for the repairs (Secs. 21, 22) that nothing further need be said. The viewers in their map and field work should show fourteen water sheds, each including all above it. The county’s credit can be corrected if looked after in due time. The statute contemplate* legal additions to such credit on ■ five occasions. Secs. 3,5, 6,7, 9. ' This is the only law where the county extends a credit (Sec. 25); pays a share of the costs (Sec. 2); furnishes a tax duplicate for each ditch (Sec. *■*)» provides a complete record (Sec. 24)1. issues bonds as agent, Sec. 13, 149 Ind. its(, and is a part owner of each ditch, 151 Ind. The purpose of the statute and the proceedings is to construct a permanent, legal and sufficient outlet for all future drainage (Sec. 1) on a fair and just apportionment of all the special benefits (Sec. 3) and the general welfare Secs. 1,2, 3, 6. A free expression a* to the best work for the least money, to be paid on the fairest basis, can do no harm. The wet weather is urging the quick relief suggested by a surface and bottom price o* the earth work The fairness of a divided main, will enable all land owners to wisely approve, except, or appeal, Sec. 6. The object of this hasty comment is to avoid future objections and lead to quicker and better results in a work affecting lands in nine township* of the county.

Feb. 21, 1903.

S. P. THOMPSON.