The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-08-27

TIE RAPIDS IMPROvEMENT.-On the arrival of
each boat from st. Louis, we are somewhat par
ticular in our inquiries as to the progress of
the Rapids Improvement We are happily in
consequence of our perseverance, able to con-
vey to our readers the intelligence, that half
dozen. more or lcss-perhaps twenty, and may
be forty-buoys have been placed on the rocks.
somewhere in that vicinity; and we are also
very happy to announce, that these rocks. thus
marked are in the very same places where
former survcyor--whosc chart. no doubt this
party uses--left them when previous appropri-
ton was exhausted! This fact has not been
determined without a great deal of rowing.
some squirting. a multitude of sOundings. and
the assistance of an experienced pilOt--which
latter knew all about them before the appropri-
alton was made. How much of the $50 1000 has
been expended, we are of course not informed
bnt as gentlemen in the employment of the Go
vcrnment do not work without generous pay,
we may conclude that a considerable chunk
if not morc-of the capital stock has already
disappeared.
What intolerable tom foolery! Here now are
two or more localities in that rocky chain that
is so serious hindrance to navigation, which,
when I" improved AS they may be with an
outlay of less than $4,000, and within thirty
days timc-would render the passage of boats
of ordinary draught, in the lowest water, vast
ly less difficult than at present If a few rocks
could be blown out Dutch Creek if the big
centre rock at Campbcll's Chain-an obstruc-
ton that has done more damage than all the
other rocks of the Rapids put togcthcr--the
rock known as Hog Back Rock-could have
the benefit of half dozen blasts, such as two
of our miners could put in in a weeks time if
the Sycamore Chain could have even $4,000
judiciOusly expended upon it, the principal dit
ficulties would be removed, at least navigation
would be made much more tOlerable. SO omuch
in fact, would the passage of boats be affected
that freight could. in low water, be brought
through from st. Louis to Galena fire cents less
per hnndred pounds than it now is! Why is
not this done? Because, dear sir, the depart
ment at Washington is trying to ''bore an an-
ger-hOle with a gimlet, ,''-because with only
$4,000 to spend, work enough is being laid
out to require the expenditure Of quarter of
million, to insure its completion; and before
the ''laying OUT is concluded, the stuff that
" "makcs the mare go'' will be exhausted.
We propose that the commercial and river
men of this city unite in a petition to the pro
per officers at the seat of government. asking
for the expenditure of every dollar of the ap-
nropriation in certain places which the petition
NAV point ont If proper representations are
not made, the officers on the work will probably
follow their instructions, and the result will be
what we have indicated. Then will come the
necessity of petitoning Congress for another
apprOpratiOn-then another squabbie, more
twopenny consttut onal objections, more speech
making another $4,000, and--anOther sur
vey! In the meantime H0g-back IS Hog-back
still-every bristle in its place! Shall we pc
tition . Gaiena JefersOnian (DemOcratic).
A SIGx-The Maryland Locofoco State Con-
vention has adjourned tcithOut passing rcsO-
luton approving the administration.