The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-23

moved from the rapids, viz:
ll,25o tons freight exported at 81, as5oo 90
$3.50 cabin passengers, at 49, 1890 90
7,sao deck passengers, at VI 90, ll,767 30
65,s97 80
1926 90
To which should be added, for losses by deten-
tion. arising from reshpPing, towing, and adj 40 -
For loss kee and fiat boats and ca goes lO50o 90
For depreciation N value OF all surplus which
finds market through this point, estimated
TO be tho present year S5o1,000, at ten per .
Estimated loss 10 steamboa. o qnefs, ne,cbants
and insurance Offices from siranlcd boats and
not The means Of ascerainng-say 10000 90
Total 1853 s05 90
If by comparison OF tables of freights and charges
made when The high enough for boats to pass
the rapids without dischaging their cargoes, with The
prices charged when the water was too low, has
suited IN this large annual loss to the city OF Burlington
what mus, 1t not be when the calculation embraces all
the other large cities and towns above the rapids when
the OF the lead trade OF Illinois, Wisconsin, and
Iowa is considered. ESTIMATED al upwards OF forty mill
lions OF pounds in 1S451 the greater portion OF which is
transported when Tie waters low the millions upon
millions OF agricultural and other products which have
10 find their way 10 market these rapids and the
imports, domestic and foreign. which come 10 US over
them, all OF which subjected 10 these enhanced
prices OF freight and charges Add these the travel
lsrs, which are al least twenty or ihly thousand year.
subject TO the same increased charges on this account
and then you have inadequate idea OF the injury
the western country sustaiDs account OF these rapids
do not doubt that the increased ireghls and charges
produced by these distractions would in year more
Than quadrupe the cost of their removal
Sir, they TO wha, the tariff of 1898 was repre-
se0ed 10 be 10 the beope Of South Carolina and II they
have not caused the grass grow in The streets oi
commercial cities and towns II only because of
natural advantages, youth andIecupealive energies
appeal to the senators from Illinois, Missouri, and all
the other representatives from the nine States bordering
the Mississippi, 10 attest the truth of what have
stated touching the nature Of these distractions 10 the
navigation o our great rver and the incacuable oss 10
which their continuance is destined forever to doom
commerce aud people.
Mr. DAVIS. / regret that the senator should have
felt il 10 be his duty TO offer this amendment Here
two sels of rapids IN this river; and II remember cor
reciy the statement of the head OF the engineering de-
partment he prefers decidedly to work upon the lover
or Des Mones rapids for the present; in other words 10
begin below and work up stream, that the navigation
may have the advantages and benefits OF the work as
the work progresses Ii they remove the lower rapids
then the navigation will be free TO the upper rapids. In
my judgment il would be the best policy and the best
economy for the government to adopt that scheme and
10 manage the business in that ways and the appropra
lion in the bill is made upon this principle | cannot
argue these questions at this time OF night will merely
AK the yeas and nays upon the amendment
The yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr.. DODGE, OF Iowa. ldesre TO respond very briefly
10 the suggestion OF the worthy senator from Massachu
sets. For The removal OF these distractions there was
held during the past fall the largest and most enthus
astc convention OF five States bordering the Mssls
sippi river which was holden Ia the western coun
Try admit, the senator says, that the lower rapids
are the worst rapids and if we are TO be confined to one
they should be removed frat. But there is scarcely
particle OF difference as 10 The number OF boats sunk on
each This Is well known to my colleague and TO the
senators from Illinois. This amendment is far below
the estimate, and that is half the necessary
II ilrequre, IN tue opinion oil the department, about
100000 altogether the distractions entirely
give channel of three feet through the rapids,
corresponding with The channel made over the bars
below that point hope the amendment will be agreed
to-
Mr.. DAVIS. will merely say that $4,000 is the
sum which can be most economically expended in that
part o the yer, unless we adopt the plan which the
aor iron Iowa proposes-io undertake TO complete all
these works at once We have already put IN by way OF
amendment fifteen or twenty thousand dollars Tor the
harbor OF Dubuque, near this pace-he sum supposed
to be proper to complete the improvements in what Is
called Dubuque bafbor. This appropriation is in add
lion 10 The other mentioneJ and $4,000 is sup
posed 10 be proper for the present. in order to pro-
coed economically with The work.
Mr. SHIELDS | will state, in confirmation OF the
marks OF the senator from Iowa, that the impression
that even the sum he asks for would not be sufficient
agree with him entirely think the proposed in the
bill s not adequate, or even the sum he presents
nlr. JONES, OF Iowa | hold in my hand. Mr. Pres-
dent, communication from Colonel Albert, the dstin-
guished and able head Of the typographical bureau of
The liih OF June last in which he makes ian estimate for
the current year. and for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1853, 100000, with addition OF So 900 Tor contingen-
ces making $4,000" Tor continuing the work on one
OF the rspds-the lower. Colonel Albert further says
as follows; But II II be considered desirable to work
on both rapids at the time, the double Of this es
mate would be more appropTiate-say Sl32ooO'
practical knowledge all who know him must admit,
estimates that $4,000 per months necessary TO carry on
The work to advantage al these rapids, Now sr we
appropriate but $50 900 for the two rapids, supposng
the work may be commenced until the lst OF March
next, the $4,000 will have been expended one month
before another appropriation can be made available
II one should be made at the next session OF Congress,
which il is TO be hoped will be the The work may
just well go both rapids at the time, and
especially as would the employment OF double set
OF superniendents, engineers, steamboats,, &c, &c.
account OF The proximity OF those rapids each other
II these distractions to the navigation OF the fines, stream
earth, except at these rapids, to be removed all
now - the time TO commence at both points, and there
fore hope the amendment OF my colleague may be adopt
ed have been travelling these rapids, upon
average OF at least twice year. for the last twenyfour
years. have been much of that time engaged 10 ship
plng goods, lead, &c, these distractions and
know well the difhcunes which they present TO the
merchant the producer. and the traveller
Mr.. DAVIS. The honorable senator seems 10 call in
question ihe statement make.
Mr.. JONES No, sir; not at all.
Mr.. DAVIS My statement is this: The iopoeraphi.
cal department say that the economical and The hes
mode is to work the lower rapds-to work uy