The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-06-29

e8ss NJ NE eu90efH OF the County IN the ueld- =
Byofdef ofthe Republican Staae Central ovnzlittss
THO. =. wrTHR0w, Chairman.
- - - It. -
IMPROVEMENT or THE RAPIDS.
The following Is the bill prepared by
Messrs. Wilson and Allison and now be-
fore Congress for the improvement Of the
Rapids. The bill is received with
much favor and viii probably
become . law during the next SEES
sion of Congress. The project is one
which We have long advocated and We
believe it will not only result in the ss-
sential improvement of the navigation Of
the river, but also in creating . water
power which will be of immense local adj
vantage for manufacturing purposes. In
the meantime it would be well for our
citizens Is far a. practicable to obssin and
forward reliable statistics in regard to the
trade affected by the obstruction Of navi-
cation by the rapids. as well ~ in regard
to damages and losses incurred BY such
obstruction, and furnish the same TO our
efficient Representative in Congress, Hon.
james F. Wilson:
To construct canal to improve the Upper
rapids and Lc wer or Des Moines rapids
of the Mississippi river
Be 4 enacted BY the Senate and House
of Representatives. Of the United States Of
Anserica in Congress assembled, That
there shall be appointed by the President
of the United States, BY and with the ad-
vice of the Senate. three commissioners
to improve the Upper rapids and Lower
or Des Moines rapids of the. Mississippi
river.
SIC. z. And be 1t further eaaczed, That
the said commissioners shall forthwith
make q careful examination of said Upper
and Lower rapids Of said river. and deter
mine upon q suitabie plan for the im-
provement Aforementioned, which plan
shall provide for the construction of .
canal around.each Of said rapids to width
of not less than one hundred feet, With
locks of not less than two hundred and
seventy-fve feet in length, and not less
than seventy feet in width. Which i'm.
proyement shall be made 80 - to insure .
safe and uninterrupted water navigation,
at all times during the season of naviga-
ton, of steamboats, and other vessels
drawing four feet of water. Which plan
shall be submitted to the President of
the United States for approval.
SECS. And be 1t further enocted, That
upon the approval by the Presidest Of
the United States of the plan of said i'm
provement aforesaid, the said commits.
sioners are hereby authorized to construct
said canals according 70 said plan, under
the direction Of the Secretary of the
Treasury, and to prosecute the same to
completion with such despatch ~ the M
ture of the work and the funds appro-
priated by Congress for that purpose shall
permit. And the said commissioner
shall make report annually to the Sec-
rotary Of the Treasury On the progress OF
said work.
SIC. 4. And be 1t further enacted. That
the Secretary of the Treasury shall have
the exclusive control and management Of
said canal, and shall have power to estab-
lish oil needful rulesa and regulations con-
corning the use and navigation thereof,
and to fix, alter, and modify the rates Of
toll upon said canals, and shall EMPLOY
such surveyors, collectors, and agents a.
may be necessary to collect said tolls.
SEC. s. And be It further enacsed, That
said Commissioners shall have power to
employ such surveyors, agents and other
persons as they may judge necessary to
perform the work hereby committed to
them, with full power to enter upon. an
propriate, use and condemn auy lands.
waters, streams, and materials Of auv ia.
scnption necessary for the prosecution Of
the Improvement contemplated by this
bill: Frovidod That when private prop.
erty shall be taken for such purpose. The
same shall be condemned and comnan.a.
ton made therefor in the manner provided
by the laws Of the State Of Iows. And !,
shall be the duty of said commissioner.
to cause oil the work done upon aid a..
mails to be let to the lowest reasonable
bidder. At public lettings Of which sufi-
cient public notice BY adj erlisemeut in tbs
public newspapers shall be given.
Sec. s. And Be u fsrt1sr esoeted. Tba,
the revenues derived ffsm aid canal. owe,
and above the expenses Of the maoaue.
mens and Of repairs, shall Be paid into "a
treasury Of the United States, aud sen.
- -
ceipts. A -
Sect. And be Il further eaaeted Th.,
the govesnmenttef the Uaised Stats shall
issue the sum Of two million dollsrs +,
bonds Of the United States, 10 IS issue5
by the Secretary o. tho Tssasury, redesm.
ably twenty years from dase, bear;.s i.
tsrest at the rate Of six per 'centum -,
annum, payable seni-annually, for IL
porposs Of constructing aid canals: q :
aid interest 70 b payable, ed tAs ~
bonds 70 b redeemable, out 81 noa3ys q
y hereafter appropriated By ConRreas.
and the said ptiaoipal aa1 intsrece Is s.
roimbufn6d "a TIA Trnesu.- - -. n - !