Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1846-02-05
The Rapids.--sSooa Suggestion.

relation TO the removal Of the distractions
IN the Des Moines and Rock river rapids
OF the Mississippi. The writer argues
tina! inasmuch as one million and half
of dollars have been appropriated by
Congress for making and improving har-
bors and removing distractions in rivers
IN various portions of HE Union without
approprialing one dollar towards The re-
moval Of distractions in these rapids,
that It behooves the people of this por.
ton OF the country 10 make some suitable
demonstration of their wishes 10 Con.
gress so that ihelr wants may be taken
into consideration.
The same paper contains a bTief bu.
appropriate memorial TO Congress on the
same subject. This is all as il should be.
Let copies Of This Memorial be circulated
on both sides Of The river above the Ra-
pids, and with good will thousands Of
voters will sign it. Such a docuInen,
mus. have benz fetal influence, when
presented TO Congress, in behalf Of the
interests Of this portion Of the country.
Some such action seems imperalively
called for, in view Of the apparent studied
neglect and criminal inarenlon tina, have
been exhibited in behalf of our people by
Members of Congress. The people on
both sides of the river above the Rapids
are subjected TO lax which al the lowest
estimate, amounts TO more than three
hundred thousand dollars annually, in ex-
ira charges on freight, passage, insurance
and loss of property in boats and cargoes,
in consequence Of these DISTINCTIONS
We verify believe that these distractions
nigh. easily be removed by an appropra-
lion not exceeding the loss occasioned by
their existence in one single year.
Much was anticipated in our behalf
from the action Of the Memphis Conven
ton. Blu, there, as we'll as in Congress,
objects of apparently greater moment en-.
crossed the attention so as TO exclude
every definite movemen, in relation TO
clearing out these Rapids. Every thing
seems to have conspired against the ac-
complishment of the desired improvement.
While the Resolutions which were drafted
by the General Committee. of which Gov.
Jones was Chairman, have appeared in
almost every paper in the Union, the
Repor, of the Committee on Western
Rivers has not We, been Published. The
former contains no definite recommends
ton in our behalf, and from its perusal no
one would ever infer that there were in
existence such distractions as are TO be
found in the Upper Mississippi river
The Repor. on Western Rivers, however,
does contain some special recommends
lions which will reach our case. They
are not quite as definite as is desirable, but
still, in dividing the river into sections,
this portion Of it is included in one of
these sections. We are in daily expecta-
lion of receiving tina, Report aud when
we do, SO much of 1t as is necessary shall
be laid before the public. This Repor,
was not even read in the Convention. Ii
was very voluminous, being much the
longes. report presented, and in conse-
quence of this, the motion to dispense
with the reading, was carried. None,
therefore, but members of The Committee
have yet seen she Report.
Blu, the action of the Memphis Conven.
ton. had il been far more s.bservient 10
our interests would not possess half the
potency tina, Memorial. signed by TWEEN.
~ or thirty thousand interested voters.
would have on the action of Congress-
The experiment has been made by Gov
eminent, itself, and it has been successful.
Iy shown tina, the work is feasible and
that the cost bears no comparison with
the grea, object TO be gained. Thousands
of signatures 10 Memorial can be obtain.
ed, if the press in north western Illinois
and in this Territory, will urge the sub
iect on their readers. and if few men in
each Of the towns and settlements along
the route on either side Of the river will
take the trouble to circulate the memorial
for signers As Fort Madison has made
this indicious movement, and as i, is desi
rable that the Memorial should be brought
before Congress during its present session.
wa would suggest to those who have COM
menced this audable undertaking to have
blank Memorials printed and sent to every
point where signatures may be obtained
We would agree to dispose of dozen to
adv antsge in this County. Below will be
found copy Of the Memorial, as publish
ed in The Lee County Democrat
To the Senate and House of Representa-.
tiues ofthe United States, in Congress
assembled.
Your petitioners, inhabitants and legal
voters Of the res
pec,tully ask your honorable body TO
make an adequate appropriation TO remove
the distractions in The Des Moines and
Rock River Rapids in the Mississippi