Daily Democrat And News

Democrat and News,

FRIDAY MORNING.
March 23.

Scott County.

For its size there is no county in the State that can show as many attractions or as fair a record, or hold out such superior inducements to those who are now looking for a habitation in the great valley of the West as can the little County of Scott.

There are other counties, it is true, that can show a population slightly above that of our county, but none, we think, with an equal area has so large a number of people or has within it the greater elements for future prosperity.

The Auditor's report for 1859 goes to show that notwithstanding the hard times incident upon the financial crisis and the continued partial failure of the crops and other untoward causes, Scott county has come up to the work manfully and discharged her obligations with a degree of promptness that is indeed praiseworthy. A few figures in this regard will show the true state of affairs more plainly: The valuation of the county of Dubuque is set down at $14,123,700, while her delinquent tax due the State is $37,342.86; the total valuation of Muscatine county is $5,338,099 and her delinquent tax $7,482.62; the valuation of the county of Clinton is $6,397,052, and her delinquent tax $11,458.67; the valuation of the county of Lee is not given, but her delinquent tax is $19,012.58; the total valuation of the county of Marion is $3,352,884, and her delinquent tax $6,244.45; the total valuation of the county of Van Buren is $5,225,370, and her delinquent tax $6,244.45; the total valuation of the county of Henry is $4,809,225, and her delinquent tax is $9,737.61. These are a few of the principal counties of the State, and the figures show very plainly that they are far in arrears; but let us look at the county of Scott. Her assessed value is $8,117,065 and her delinquent tax is only $4,359.90. These figures put together and compared show that our county is far ahead of the other first class counties in the State in the way of paying up her taxes, though she has equally with other counties felt the severe effects of the times.

The people of Scott county have no equal in the State in their promptness in monetary affairs. Though they labor under heavy taxation and though a portion of the county—her principal town, has a heavy debt of its own to care for, still the same indomitable spirit and energy prevails among her people which must and will eventually place her in the best condition. He who is well acquainted with the agricultural developments of the county—who has taken the pains to examine her rich farming lands—scarcely a square rod of which is unproductive, must be convinced of the fact—must come to the conclusion that she possesses such elements of wealth and future prosperity as will place her head and shoulders in advance of any other county in the State, and constitute her not only the garden county but the commercial county of Iowa.

The uncultivated lands of our own county yet constitute a considerable portion, yet they are being settled and improved as fast as circumstances will allow. The prospect of the farming community was never better—never have our farmers had greater cause to take courage, than at the present time, and we truly believe that their expectations will be fully realized. It is not to be supposed—the thought should not be entertained, that large fortunes are to be amassed from the proceeds of a year's labor. Such calculations were rife in years gone by, but they came near proving our ruin. Let all be content with slow but steady gains. They are the most sure—the most lasting. We expect to live to see the time when Scott county will be out of debt—the leading county in the State, and her farmers the most happy and independent people of the country. Let the talent which they have in their hands be improved—let her citizens still work on with firmness and persevering faith, and the result will be of the most happy character. There is no more doubt of it than that the sun rises and sets.