The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1849-09-13
TFroM ne Burlington Gazette.
DAVENPORT CONTEMPORARIES
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TFrom ne Burlington Gasette.
DAVENPORT OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
MENT OF The RAPIDS.
The removal of the distractions in the Missis-
sippi river presented by the Upper and Lower
Rspids, 10 confessedy On object Of the first inn
porlance to the people Of Iowa, Illinois, Wiscon-
sin and Minnesota. Our own State, even in the
infancy Of its settlement and when, from the
absence OF any great amount oftrade, the injury
from these distractions could be but partially
comprehended-fe andin various ways and on
frequent occasions manifested, deep interest in
the accomplishment Of this great accomplishment
ofthis great improvement. Whist was then only
foreseen, or at most but imperfcctly felt, is now
fully realized With our augmested and rapidly
augmenting population has sprungup commerce
Of no uncomfortable magnitude. Our surplus
products, worth millions Of dollas, are all foated
10 market on the Mississippi; and the delay, risk,
and additional expense resulting from an impeded
navigation, are admitted 10 be drawbacks OF
most serious character upon our prosperity as
State. The fact that we have suffered but little
from this cause the present season. in consequence
Of high waters, instead OF producing feeling OF
comparative indifference on the subject, as it is
feared has been the case, should stimulate us 10
increased efforts; for the advantages to the State
plain, and can be fully comprehemled. The diff
ference is felt most sensibly by all classes Of the
public, but the farmers most especially. They
feel itin the reduced cost oftheir salt, their gro-
ceries, their hardware, &c, &C., and 10 the high
prices which, partly through low frelghts, the
millers and merchants are enabled 10 pay them for
their grain and other products There can be
no DOUBT but that thousands and tens o thousands
OF dollars-we aye not sure we should exaggerate
were we to say hundreds ofthousands- been
saved TO the people ofIowa the present season by
the removal Gin edecD ofshe rapids.
But as we have already said, it's not Iowa alone
that is interested in improving the navigation
of the Mississippi. Illinois, Wisconsin and Min
nesota, are all equally concerned. Fronting on
the river as these States all severally do, very
large population look to il, and tor long time
must continue to look TO it, as their natural road
to market. 1t is safe TO say that not less than
half million Of people are directly interested
even now in freeing this great national highway
from the distractions with which, in seasons Of
low water, its navigation is beset, to say nothing
Of the augmentation this number is destined TO
undergo in the future. ST. Louis, too: into whose
lap all this commerce isto Be emPied. is like
wise interested-deepIy interested HerSsaga-
cious men cannot but be sensible Of the impor-
lance Of retaining trade, which, for ages to
but which, with the existing impedments to the
navigation Of The river, they are 10 great danger
of losing. They canno'-or at leat should not
the fact. that rail roads have been pro.
jected, and are already in progress If construct
ion, with the view OF diyerting this trade TO the
East by Northern route; And they cannot be
supposed TO be so destitute Of common sense as
not to perceive that they can only hope to COM
pete successfully with their Nor.hem rivals by
cheapening, as Tar as possible, the r,ertranspor
tation. We have right, therefore, to look to
to st. Louis for aid in this matter. and call upon
her to send delegates 10 the Convention which is
to assemble at Davenport on the 10th Of October
next, for the purpose Of deciding on the meas
ures best calculated to promote the desired re-
suit.
The present is believed TO be an auspicious
time TO urge the subject on the attention OF the |
general government. We are at peace with the |
world; the finances are in a fourishing conditions;
the object is cne Of utility, and Of admitted ma
tional importance. In addition to this, Iowa and |
Wisconsin are now States, with Senators and
Representatives in Congress, ready TO press the |
measure with all proper ZEAL An appropriation,
It Is believed, can be obtained now, If ever, by
making the proper representations; and the OBJ |
ject is certainly worthy the effort even should it
fail.
A"e ueeP STAKE ouI own otdte mas IN Tue I'M |
proyement should induce all the river counties, |
and such Of the interior counties as can conve- |
niently do SO, to send full delegations the Dav-
export Convention. This, it should be borne
in mind, is an adjourned Convention, and the Sc
cohd attempt made to get up a meeting to take
into consideration the improvement OF the rapids
To be effective it must be full A second failure
should, il possible, be avoided. We hope, there
fore, that proper and timely attention will be
given 10 the subject in all parts of the State
Meetings should be speedily called, as the time is
but about five weeks distant.