Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-02-02
JOLIET SIGNAL.
= 10 - JOLIET, ILL., asdsf
Tuesday, February 2. 1917.
The Illinois River.


We have received the report ofthe com.
mittee on Canals and Canal Lands, on
the Improvement of the Illinois river, but
too late TO give it an insertion. The report
was submitted to the House by Mr.. Little,
OF this place, who is Chairman of The
Commute. 1t is brief but handles the
subject in an able manner; and is a doc
unent that reflects great credit upon those
from whom it eliminated.
The report first takes into view the OBJ
structions to the navigation of the river,
which are such, that dsring that part Of
the season when the means of conve vance
are most needed, as to render its naviQa-
ton exceedingly difficult for even the small
lest class of boats. Il states that the ma
! terial which ferns the obstructing bars
and shoals is continually on the increase,
as the land on the streams (Which empty
into the river are brought into cult.
xation. which wash more easily by being
improved. This comedies with the opin.
ion of Lieut.. Mowry, who surveyed the
! river in the fall Of 1916. under the direc.
ton OF the Secretary Of the Navy. The
report in view Of this. urges that prompt
action be taken for the removal of the
evil ; and for that purpose urges that a
company be chartered with privileges,
such as to offer fair inducements for the
investment Of capital sufficient for the i'm.
Provenent of The river.
The distance from the termination OF
the canal. to the mouth ofthe river is two
hundred and thirteen miles. This distance
on each side is rapidly filling up y ith pop.
ulation, as well as is the fertile region OF
the canal. The benefits tc. be derived To
the State ny the Improvement of the river,
will besides making her canal available,
and opening communication from the
Mississippi to the Lakes, be almost meal.
culable by inducing population within her
border. and thereby increasing the amount
Of taxable property. As IS stated by the
report, our canal will be Of little conse.
quenee without the improvement of the
river, which taken in connection with the
river, would form one of the most impor.
tani lines Communication ofthe country.
Theplan suggested by Lieut.. Mowry,
is the one preferred by the report. twas
that the construction Of locks and dams
were deemed the most practicable. The
entire cost is estimated at less than half a
million of dollars, which taken ssto con.
sideration with the immense amount Of
produce raised in the country bordering
upon the river, and other products seeking
an eastern outlet, from even the Mississip.
pi. by way of the lakes, is certainly a
small sum. The annual tonnage OF, the
! river. in is present state, is estimated al
fifty thousand tons. Thus it is seen thai
the trade is already important: but let the
canal be completed, which viii soon he,
and its improvement take place, and it.
tonnage will amount to millions. -.
Wehave so far recovered from the shock
experienced by unfortunately Launching
into the system Of Internal improvements
few years ago, as to engage in those
which the affairs of our State necessariIy
demand. But the proposition is not e
involve the State for such improvements
but to grant liberal charters to compan,e.
for that purpose. The State has not the
ability, if it was deemed expedieni, to dc
any thing. If she can by authorizing
companies to construct such works, in.
.erease taxable properly 50 as TO meet The
present demands against her, it will be
enough. sl sssF aliis9d assso -
| It's admitted that the Prairie STATE il
capable Of Sustaining as dense . poppla.
f'iOnsas any .ssksr, in the Union. Let the
Legislature pass the bill reported for the
imProvsmsNtOffhs Illinois river, .iogether
ivith the Kankakee aud Ioquois, Ii such