Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-03-24
IOWA NEWS.
DU BUQUE, Saturday, March "a.

| '"''J So"c"l win our correspondent as
to the practicability and importance Of the
work alluded to in his communication. and on.
terrain but little doubt as to its final construc.
'ion' were the attention of the people aroused
to action on it, and the great advantage it would
prove to the people at large, properly laid be-
tore Congress. The work may rightly be con-
sldered National in its character, opening a
channel OF communication between the eastern
cities and the lead mines. whereby our staple
can be quickly transported to the principal east.
ern markets, and merchandise for the ives,
brought out in halfthe time at present required.
survey of the route by competent enc-
neer, and an estimate made Of the cost of III.
work, would bring the subject before Con-
gress in affair light, and the small sum re-
quired would fall greatly short Of wha,it would
be conceived by those unacquainted with the
lace OF the country over which it would pass
The progress of the work on the Illinois and
Michigan Canal has proved that the estimates
OF the engineers have been much higher than
the actual cost Of the work. Should the work
be Immediately commenced, the business of
our country will have so much increased be-
fore its completion, that the amount at present
paid for transportation between the east and
west, would pay as great per cent upon the
cost Of the work as is paid by any work in
the United States.
| We hope that the people will take the mat
ter into consideration, and the advantages of
the work be fairly understood, and none will
doubt its expedlency, or the final construction
of the work.
.4- Du BuouE, w. r. March 81, 1888.
To the Editors Iowa News
GENTLEMEN: As a devoted friend of Wis
consin in general, and Du Duque in particular.
| beg permission TO offer through your valua-
BILE Journal few crude remarks for the con-
sideration of my fellow-cilizens, touching a
subject, which as it presenlsitsclf tot my view,
lis one Of vital interest TO US, and national inn
porlance 10 the country. refer to the connex.
ion of Lake Michigan with the Mississippi Ri
yer, by mean Of Railroad passing within
our Territory.
believe no one will attempt 10 question the
ncaculnble importance Of this work in the
advantages which its construction would in
sure TO the country. The only doubt appears
to be, that as yet it would be premature to at
tempt any action whatever in the matter. But
with all due Difference for the opinions of those
who are disposed to procrastinae, | am we'll
convinced myself there is no time like the pre-
sent. Let MS call upon Mineral Point, Bel
mont, Dodgevle. Madison. Milwaukee, RAJ
cine, &c. 10 unto with Us in peti,ioning Con.
gress for an appropriation TO deiray the cxpen-
ses OF an accurate survey and estimate OF the
route, and cannot doubt for momen, thai,
the object of our prayer will not admit Of its
being disregardcd. A single glance at the
map OF our common country, must at once
convince even those gentlemen who compli-
men; us with the appella.on Of '.lawIess in
ltruders." that the subject under consolidation
is 1t least worthy Of some notice. Can any
sincere lover Of his country contemplate for a
single moment the proud evidences of Amerl-
can enterprise afforded in the vast chain of
steam communication, reaching from Maine to
Wisconsin, and not desire to see the gigantic
work extend! Surely not. Whatever mea-
sure tends to the settlement Of the fertile fields
Of the mighty West. must obviously promote
our national prosperity: aud that tile project
now contemplated, when carried into effect,
will at least be paramount to any other that
could be suggested, of similar magnitude, is
a proposition that no one acquainted with its
merits, would pretend to doubt.
The entire distance between Lake Michigan
and the Mississippi is $50 miles only, and the
ground is so admirably adapted for the con-
struc,ion Of Rait Road, that locomotive
would be enabled to transport its load from
wharf 10 wharf at the respective termini, with
out the intervention of single inclined plain.
The fact is, so peculiarly has nature prepared
tho ground for the use Of locomotives, that one
OF these engines could almost be run along the
entire line without any excavation, embank-
ment, or sUperstructufe whatever! 10 one
who has been familiar with the character of
the obstacles necessary TO be overcome in the
construction Of rail ways at the east---,he in
ducements here held, appear really taotalizing.
But my object now is not to 60 into the me-
rts Of this subject, but merely to invite the i'm
mediate cooperation Of all who lake any inter-
est in their own or the country's welfare, in
soliciting our parental government for the tri-
fe necessary to accomplish the desired expert
mental survey.
would respectfully suggest TO my fellow.
citizens Of Du Buque the expediency Of hav-
ing public meeting upon this subject as ear.
ly as practicable, and trust our friends east Of
the river will promptly unite in the promotion
ofthe ''consummation so deyontly to be wish
ed" am, gentlemen, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
IOWAIAN.
P. s. hope, as matter Of course. that the
editors in Eastern Wisconsin will not be back
ward in directing the attention Of their readers
10 the foregoing subject, and in urging upon
them the necessity Of speedy action.
We cheerfully comply with the request Of a
friend, in republishing from The Belmont Gaz-
cite, the following communication on mining,