Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1846-10-06
CHIcAco, Sept. 2stb.

| look, in vain, TO the General Government
for aid 10 the improvement of our Rivers
and Harbors.
We may, perhaps, justly complain that
their importance is not properly appre !
ciated, OF that ill-founded doubts of consti-
Itutional power are permitted to control the
action Of those who are guardians of the
national interests.
So far as the Lake Harbors are con.
lcerned, those difficulties must soon be OBJ
waited. 1t is not possible that the vast
commercial, and agricultural interests of
Northwest, will be permitted to sink un-
der an unjustiiable neglect, or what is
worse. an illiberal policy. So far, we
mad confidently anticipate speedy justice.
| But in relation to the Improvements of
Rivers-especiall the Iliinois-there is
room fordoubt. No appropriation for that
purpose, by Congress, can reasonably be
expected, under present circumstances.
1t is held by many of our distinguished
man, that the Illinois is not sufficiently
National in its character, to bring it with
IN the constitutional scope of the govern.
ment, providing for improvements.
wiilnot undertake to controvert this posi-.
ton, although am not prepared 10 give
it my assent. Twill not now attempt to
show that the Illinois, in connection with
the Canal is to be the great channel of
trade between different, and distant States.
Nor will 1 seek to demonstrate the neces-
sity of expenditures in its improvement,to
provide for the national defence, in case
| ofhostilities with Great Britain. Bra
| We are told that it is entirely within
the jurisdiction of the State, and that con.
sequsntly its Improvement would be of no
national benefit. So then let it be con.
sidered, since it is a matter of no necessi-
ty. There are perhaps means by which
we can turn it 70 some account, without
placing ourselves under obligations to the
Federal Government. u
1t is certain that improvements must be
made, and that too, at no distant day
The condition Of the Illinois river is now
such that during part ofthe summer,
navigation has to be suspended on &C.
caunt of low water. The evil has been
constantly increasing for the past six or
seven years,an unless something is done,
the navigation will soon be confined to
periods thigh water.
We may easily sec that the usefulness
ofthe Canal, will, to great extent. de.
pend upon the navigahle condition ofthe
Illinois river. SID s0G
How then. can the difficulty be olivia.
ted! Isl possible to make the necessary
improvements at a reasonable cost?
According to the report of Lieutenant
Mowry, made to the Governor in Decem.
Der last, the only effectual, and perma.
nent method of improving the river, is by
means of Locks and Dams. These would
be required at Henry, Cosseras Creek,
Grand Island, La Grange, Florence, and
Apple Creek-being six Dams, and the
same number of Locks. The aggregate
cost, with composite Locks, is estimated
at $455,7l6,03. For Locks, with cut
stone facings, the estimate is increased
to $49e,O92,70.
These improvements might be made
the source of considerable revenue to the
State. With but moderate tolls the ex.
penses incurred would soon be reimbursed
and then the ayails could be applied in
payment OF the public debt.
But il will be said that in the present
circumstances ofthe State, it is impossible
to provide the necessary funds for such a
work. l know that our condition is EN-.
barrassing, and full Of difficulty, but am
still confident that the s'ways and means"
may be obtained.
1.-THE State cannot undertake these i'm.
provements, may she not secure all the
advantages to be derived from them, by
an arrangement similar to that under
which the Canal is now going forward
Will not the public creditors. in con.
sideration of securing the speedy pay.
ment of their demands, make the requisite
advancesi In short, will not the same
creditors who now hold the Canalin trust,
be willing to extend the arrangement so
as to construct the Improvements that are
necessary on the Illinois riverl
There are, doubtless,obiections to plac-
ing work ofthis kind under the control
of a corporation. The same objections
existed in relation to the Canal, but they
were overcome by considerations of me-
cessity. We gave the Canal into the
hands ofthe public creditors, because we
had no means to make it available. Upon
the same principle, would the control of
the Illinois river, for few years, be plac-
ed in the hands ofStrangers.
But the evil would be of short continu.
ance. The improvements of the river,
would soon revert to the State, and to-
gether with the canal, be under the i'm.
mediate control Of the Representatives of
the people. s.
| submit these crude suggestions, for
your consideration,with the hope that you
may be induced to give the subject such
reflection as win lead to some Practical
result j In Your anacifv of Senator ,1r,.i