The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-04-06
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL g. 1864

North.western ship Canal Convention.
We clip the following introduction to
very important article from the Dubuque
Daily Herald:
We have already called the attention Of
our readers to the great practical impor-
tance Of the proposed movement to unite
the Mississippi, and the Lakes, by Ship
Canal; also to improve the rapids Of the
Mississippi, in connection Herewith. Those
having this matter in charge, have gone to
work with zeal and foresight that indicate
determination and success. The project
will necessarily involve large expense but
it is designed to obtain requisite aid from
from Congress. If the work contemplated
should he accomplished, it will appreciate
Iowa property at least twenty per cent
The convention called to meet in this city
on the first Wednesday in May next,
promises to be large one. We trust tha,
a proper interest will be taken in the mat
ter by our citizens.
"Shippers, forwarding and commission
merchants, business men and citizens gen
orally of the Upper Mississippi Valley, re-
siding in the states of Iowa, Illinois, Mis-
souri,, Wisconsin and Minnesota, friendly
to the enterprise Of connecting the waters
of the Mississippi River and Lake Michi-
gan by means of a Ship Canal, are request
| ed to take immediate measures for the ap-
| pointment of Delegates to attend the Ship
| Canal Convention, to be held at Dubuque,
Iowa, on the first Wednesday of May next
Each county will be entitled to four dele
gates, with one additional delegate for every
| five thousand inhabitants. incorporated
towns and cities will be entitled to the same
ratio Of delegates. Provisions should be
made for casting the full vote Of the county,
town or city.
State officers and members Of said con.
vention, Editors of newspapers in said states,
and such other persons as shall receive this
circular, are also invited to seats in said
convention.
1t is unnecessary for the committee to
enlarge upon the vast importance of this
great national enterprise. With its com
plction, the entire product of the Mississippi
Valley will be enhanced in value at least
twenty per cent Their transportation to
Buffalo will be as expeditions and quite as
cheap as from Chicago, thereby saving to
the farmer and producer the expense of
railroad transportation to that or other lake
ports.
The question of such ship canal is now
being discussed both before the country
and ia congress, and the probability is that
some course of policy in relation thereto
will be adopted at the present session.
Let us therefore be awake to this great
national measure. Let every county, town
and city throughout the entire north W est
be represented in the proposed convention
We have already slept too long over our
most material and vital interests Let US
do so no longer; now is the time to move
Next year, or even after the present session
OF congress may be too late. In such an
event others may reap a harvest that legiti-
Inately belongs to us, and which may now
be gathered. Efforts will be made by the
committee to secure from railroads and
steamboats,, tickets to and from the con
vention at half.fare rate. If successful,
timely notice will be given through the
Dubuque papers,
By order Of the Committee of Arrange
mentS.
WM. I. GILcHRIsr, Chairman.