, 1861-02-01
THE ROCK ISLAND BRIDGE.
Aid of the State Of Missouri Invoked
1ufurther EnorTE to Remove rho Rock
Island Bridge.


Island Bridge.
(Fzum the st; Louis Republican Jan. 81
:<,1n tho City Council, yesterday, the following
report was submitted BY The. Chairman Of the
Committee On Ways and Means:
The Committee Of Ways and Means to whom
Was referred the application Of the Chamber or
Commerce for further aid In; tho prosecution
Of the Rock Lsland Bridge suit, Would re-
and are fully impressed with the importance
Of the matter, and the actual necessity for Its.
vigorous prosecution. :. Yonr Committee BE-
Iere 1t to be subject; Of yital Importance to
the commercial prosperity of our city-so
mnch 40 that II the city expended twice the
her efforts, they would regard her Is the galner.
But while thus impressed, Your committee
cannot close their eyes to the fact that our
Treasury Ia not In condition to warrant the
recommending of an additional appropriation
at this time. The money We have not bonds
it would be reckless to Issue In the present
distracted and unsettled financial condition Of
the whole country. Our citizens arc even now
oppressed By taxation almost beyond the
limits of forbearance- The lnborer should be
paid his hire; generosity should give way
TO Justice. Again, the subject matter Is one
which interests not our city alone, but the en-
tire State, and, that, too, to IN extent that we
cooperate with the city and the Chamber'of
Commerce, and to share portion Of the
burden yet remaining to be borne, they ha7ing
thus far borne it alone.
Our State thus far Ii dependent on and owes
everything to its commercial, agricultural and
mining faeilities, the latter Of which are yet
but imperfectly developed Whatever, there.
fore, tends to hinder OF retnrd either OF any Of
those facilities, would operate TO is general
detriment. Nature has dealt liberally with us
ia furnishing us natural outlets and 1nlets Tor
our products, our minerals and our merchan-
disc. To these lavishments Of nature we owe
our present prosperity as State. Our rivers
are our great natural arteries, and whatever Of
au1iliaries may be brought on in the shape Of
railroads, canals, or other aid they are still es-
sential aud entitled to the fostering care Of the
State. Every portion Of the State is lnterested
the State might have its resources developed
by the introduction or extension Of the NIL
road system, that development would avail but
little without the. after aid OF those natural
conduits.
Your committee therefore, feel that they
htre right to invoke the aid OF the State in
this matter. The expense Of improving our
harbor at this city, IN which the State has
general interest, we hare borne alo1e- The
city has contributed largely In the coIstruc-
ton Of the various State rnlways. VIII 1t be
answered that Ill this is q personal matter, and
but enriches our city and cltizens! Il that be
60, aud ourprosperlty is By snch expenditures
enhanced in yaluc, has the State no interest In
that enhancement Does; she not reap the
benefit Of it In tho shape Of taxes On that
| value? We as city have expended some
IS, 500 in the prosecution Of this suit; our cit
izens Individually have expended some $19,-
| coo or more, as appeasa By the report Of the
! Secretary Of the Chamber Of Commerce,
| (which report Ia herewith submitted and made
a part OF This report,) nay ne not then CON
| Bi6tently and reasonably ask Of our State Leg
| aid the city aud Chamber Of Commerce In its
| further prosecution.
Believing the same to be reasonable, your
| committee herewith submit resolutions re-
| questing the Mayor to memerialize the Gene
| raj Assembly Of the State Of Missouri to that
| effect, aud ask that copies Of the report Of the
Committee and the Secretary Of the Chamber
| of Commerce be transmitted therewfth.
Resp'y, ERlsTUs WELLs, Chm.