DRAINAGE OF THE KANKAKEE MARSH.
Senator Garrigus' bill [S. 300] to provide for the page: 152[View Page 152] survey and leveling up of wet and swamp lands and contemplated routes and outlay of watercourse of the Kankakee regions, appropriating $5,000 for that purpose, was read the third time.
Mr. GARDNER said this is a very important bill to the State of Indiana. There are nearly a million acres of wet lands that are comparatively worthless, that it is believed may be reclaimed by a simple system of drainage. This act contemplates a survey to ascertain what routes are practicable for the drainage of this land. A certain number of surveys have been made, under the authority of the United States, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the Kankakee is a stream that can be drained so as to render this land useful. It is very well known that some of the richest lands in the State of Indiana are located in this region, which only require a suitable system of drainage to make them among the best paying lands of the State, now wholly unprofitable. This bill is in the interest of economy to the whole State, as it will, if drained, bring in a large increase of revenue. I hope the bill will pass.
Mr. BEATTY said: I am very well acquainted with these lands. A larger portion of the land is owned by citizens of the adjoining Counties and of the State, but a small portion of it is owned by men outside of the State.
Mr. CARR was opposed to the bill upon the ground that it was unfair to tax the people of the State to survey lands owned by private individuals.
Mr. THOMPSON said there was a gigantic scheme gotten up for the purpose of draining this marsh. I understand this is only a modest way by which improvements can be made, and the next Legislature, after this $5,000 is expended, will be called upon to appropriate a much larger amount. It is only a gigantic scheme by which the people are taxed for this improvement which benefits only private individuals, and I think the Legislature ought to vote this measure down.
Mr. WOLF--I can not see why members should object to this bill. I live in a village within four miles of the Kankakee marsh, and I know there is a vast amount of lands there--the best in the State. This bill should become a law, or any other bill that tends to improve this large tract of land, so that it will be cultivated and become useful to the State.
The failed to pass--yeas, 41; nays, 26--for the want of a constitutional majority.
On motion by Mr. FALL, the bill [S. 349] to legalize the incorporation of the town of Lagro was read the second time by title, the third time by sections, and passed--yeas, 57; nays, 16.
