Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1859-10-20

ism is to dissolve the Union. The
next political contest must be between
the friends OF the Union and those
against it.
rE Our readers will not ask An
apology for lcvoting so much Of our
space to tho following enteresting ar
ticle from the Missouri Republican OF
the 18th inst. 1t rs upon a subject OF
the utmost importance TO the business
prosperity of every City upon the
Mississippi River, from the Lower
Rapids to the head OF navigation.
THE RAPIDS IN THE MIssIs.
Except the Amazon, there is no
river in the world that affords thr oIgh
out the year continuous navigation
Of such length as the Mississippi
From the Falls Of st. Anthony to TIC
Ballze, a distance Of more than two
thousand miles, the mighty river hold
it, stately course, unimpeded at or
binary tides, by break or barrier
throughout all that length. Only a
limited periods, when the volume o
W 4ter has bseu diminished by autumn
nal drought, does any impedmcn
exit. At such periods, at two point
in the upper portion, distractions pre-
sent themssl es in the shape of Rap
ids. These two points are known a
the Upper and Lower Rapids ; thu
first obsiruc,ing the channel opposite
Rock Island, the second at or just a
bove keokuk. For number OF wears
the attention Of Government has been
called to these obs,ructions, and at
tempts have been made to secure its
aid IN ehectlng their removal. A
usual. where Western interests are
concerned, these endeavors have been
met on the part Of the Government by
feeble exertions and meagre appro-
priations.
In the year 1886, survey of the
Rapids was ordered, and the work put
in charge Of Il. Z. Lee, then a Lieu
tenant IN the corps Of Engineers. A
survey WAS made with all due expedi
ton, aud during the three succeeding
seasons, whenever the stage OF wateI
permitted operations, Lieut.. Lee ap
piled with visor to the removal OF tht
distinctions. But the methods thei
ut command were of al Inefficient
character, aud but little good could be
accomplished by them. The system
pursued was that Of drilling and blast
ing, and Of course could be prosecuted
only when the water was at yer,
low stage. The fragments OF the rocl
we're removed by the grapple, to at
tach which, the workmen were ohligc,
to stand in the water. As the waite
became chilled by the advance @
winter, the men refused to enter il
and thss seasons operations wer
sometimes limited to only few days
In the fall of 1889, Lieut.. Lee was en-
abled to prosecute the work through
only . few days-the necessary cond
tons Of low water and warm waite
existing for no more than that bri,
period. OF course with such impe
feet means, and such difficulties in al
plying them, Lieut.. Lee was able
effect but little.
The appropriation having been c,
hausted, operations were discontinue
and for fifteen years no further attemp
were made to improve the navigatio
Of the Mississippi. At the expiratio
Of that time, in the winter Of 1856:
Congress ordered further appropri'
ton, aud new survey of the Rapie
to be made. The work was intruste
to Lieut.. Warren, Of the Topograph
cal Engineers. As rapidly as posi-
BILE. Lieut.. w. completed his survey
and constructed maps Of the Rapid
both Upper and Lower, which mar
are now IN use, and: have been al
proved as correct. 10 the fall ,
1854, the work Of removal was CON
msncea on both the Rapids, and co,
tinued throughout that and the 70
lowing season. Lieut.. Warren ",
bsstk BY the same difficulties that
ser,ously interftred with his pred.
eessor's operations. Excess of wat
md severity of weather greatly Gu
tailod the number Of working day
Yet, even with these impedimen
and with the imperfect machine
still 10 use, he was successful to We
encouraging degree in improving I
navigation Of the Upper Rapids,
which his e&orts were msinly .dues
Cd. Testimony to this elect b 4