The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-05-11

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time make it an indispensable condition ol
their support of such measures, that the
construction Of the proposed ship canal to
the lakes and the canal around the upper
and lower rapids Of the Mississippi river
shall be made part and parcal of such
public works.
ResolUed, That a copy Of this report, pre-
amble and resolutions signed by the Presi.
dent and Secretary of this convention, be
sent to each member of Congress, With an
urgent request that he give to these grea,
national measures his cordial and earnest
support.
Resoloed, That there be appointed an
executive committee Of nine, three of whom
shall reside in Dubuque, whose duty it
shall be to take measures to have the pro-
ceedings Of this convention laid before Con-
gress at the earliest practical period, and
that SAID committee shall adopt all such
measures as may be necessary to carry out
the objects and purposes Of this conven-
ton.
ABRAMS did not like the commentator
of the Illinois routes. He vas for Wiscon
sin and Fox River exclusively.
Mr.. GILcHKIsr said events, that under or
binary circumstances required century
or at least decade Of a century to bring
about, were crowded into a year, mon,h
and even day. Under this state Of things,
and under the ext sencies Of the country,
it was most significant fact, that so many
public men, so many prominent business
men of tie Northwest were here assembled,
to participate in the deliberations of this
convention. 1t argued well not only for
the great material and moral interests of
the Northwest which are identical, but also
for the perpetuity Of the free institutions of
this broad Republic.
The General Assembly of the State of
Iowa, at their recent session made an ap
preparation, and directed a survey to be
made for Ship Canal from LaSale on the
Illinois River, to the Mississippi, terminal
ing at some point opposite the eastern Dor
der Of Iowa, with a proviso that in the
event Of such an appropriation being made
by Congress, that there should be added
thereto an appropriation for the construction
of Ship Canal around the upper and low
er rapids Of the Mississippi river, with
further proviso that Congress be urgently
requested to enlarge the alter communica
ton, designated as the Fox and Wiscon-
sin Improvement" We all know this
route to be most eminently cheap and prac-
ticable. Nowhere on the continent: is there
such peculiar CONFORMATION of Lake and
River, as on the route here designated
Nature has pointed out this, as the great
National water communication, from the
Mississippi to the Lakes it needs not
the spirit OF prophecy to foretell, that
should it be opened and continued to the
Atlantic sea-board, that the great Tread
producing states of the Northwest with
those already knocking at the door Of Con-
gress for admission, would bevond all com.
petition, control the bread market of the
world-and give us preponderatng infu-
ence in the deslinies of Europe.
The resolution under discussion gave no
endorsement or approval of the Illinois
routes, believing as he did that they were
impracticable, but as an act of courtesy to
the people Of Iowa, who had through their
Representatives, by an enactment made an
appropriation for the LaSelle route, silence
on this subject by this Convention might
deservedly be considered an insult-to the
people Of Iowa.
He would, however. to obviate the OBJ
jections of the gentleman opposed to the
resolution consent to modify it, by substi-
tuting "not object" in second line for IRE
joice" and insert the word "most" before
"eminently" in the eleventh line. Amend
mems adopted.
Mr.. Abrams was satisfied with Mr.. Gil
christ's explanation of the resolution.
Mr.. Richards of Dubuque urged vigorous
efforts on the part Of Iowa, Minnesota and
Wisconsin, and by the Northwest. If
Congress favors both routes, all right, but
if only one, let us show Congress and the
cosntry that ola the Wisconsin river was
the route. 1.-THE great wheat producing
region is north Of the rapids of the Missis.
sippi and its outlet east must necessarily
be north also, so there will evidently be
great northern channel Of communication"
Mr.. Bissel of Dubuque said too Canals
cannot be expected certainly not for mill
tary purposes. If we ask for two We will
be likely to get none. Settle upon one line
of policy as to the canal route, include the
rapids improvement, and then work for
your points. Convince the East that West
ern granaries are more accessible to them
through Ship Canal and then convince
the world that the route you select is the
best, and this comprises all our duty. fit
is military necessity Congress can be
shown which route is the most feasible.
Messrs. Thomas and Blssel stated their
views as to the intention Of the Iowa Legis-
laturs in preference of routes.
Mr.. Noble Of McGregor said he was
member of the Committee that reported the
and while he concurred gener.
ally in the repor. for the sake of having it
unanimous, yet there we're some points
upon which he disagreed with it, and upon
this point in particular. He agreed in the
main with the remarks Of Mr.. Bissel The
La Sale route he deemed impracticable and
amounting to little. 1t was necessary in
order to gain anything to have all our ener,
gies bent to one purpose. What differences
and preferences exist must be referred to
Congress and let them be settled there. The
friends Of the different projects will present
their respective merits, aud we should take
sides upon one side or the other, and not
attempt to play ''good Lord" with all. Our
true policy is to stand or fall by the Wis
consin route. coupled with the improvement
of the rapids. No child is born to-day who
will ever see two ship canals from the river
to the Lakes, and the idea is idle. He