The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1865-11-24

As Congress convenes shortly, the conside-
ration of the subject of the Improvements of
the Rapids, and the making of canal around
them, will doubtless be again brought before
that body, and our people should be prepared
to take some determinate action in the premi-
ses. Instead of, by any arguments of our
own, urging the Importance of this measure,
we gladly give place to the following excellent
reflections concerning it, found in the Musca-
tine Journal, and written by its Washington
correspondent, "Hawkeye." He says:
There is one measure that all Iowa is more
immensely interested in than she seems to
apprehend. That is, the improvement of the
navigation of the Mississippi river. And the
chief obstacles therein are the upper and
lower rapids. The removal of these obstacles
would be worth incalculable sums yearly,
both in the expectation OF produce and the
importation of articles Of consumption. The
easy navigation of the river is Of immense
and growing value, in moderating the exor-
bitant charges of the railroads. The cheaper
means of transportation by water will always
have great restraining influence upon the
lines of railroad tending eastward, and it
needs no argument to an Iowa producer to
demonstrate the Importance of that. The
direct advantage, present and prospective, of
such q water line of transportation as the
Mississippi, is hardly cacuable in figures !:
and its value would be vastly heightened by
the removal of these two distractions, or the
supply of any means whereby they could be
readily and chearlv passed. The steamboat
interest of the Mississippi is yet in its earliest
Infancy: as much so as the cultivation of the
Iowa prairies, which are yet almost un-
touched. Neither interest has yet given anv
adequate sign of its ultimate magnitude and
importance. There will be more bridges
across the Mississippi. There ought to be
But they ought not to be, and need not be. so
constructed and at such points as to be any
substantial damage to navigation, while every
substantial impediment in the river itself
should be removed at once Present atten.
ton should be concentrated upon the rapids.
\ concerted effort by all parties interested
therein, | am sure, would result in their
proper improvement. Their real nature and
importance should be clearly and fully stated
to Congress, and then, if some prudent and
practical scheme is presented and insisted on
| doubt not but that it would prevail. The
nature of the scheme itself is worthy of care
ful examination and elaboration. If one can
be devised that does not involve large ex-
penditure of money, it would be much the
easier 10 carry. suppose canal, especially
around the lower rapids, would be preferable
to the cutting away of the channel. which is
the plan heretofore pursued, both because Of
Its relative economy, and because it would
tend less to draw away the water from the
pools above. fla company could be incor-
porated, endorsed with specified quantity
of lands, and, if canal is made, authorized
to levy a stated toll, and to enjoy the water
power thereby created. ii would, it seems to
me, be a scheme the easiest of all others to
carry, and one which would prove practical
and efficient. But some plan ought to be
carefully and early matured, agreed on and
adhered to.
One of the chief relations of the proposed
canal around the lower rapids to the pros
perity of keokuk, is furnishing an immense
and available hydraulic power for manufac-
turing purposes. And despite the considera
tions urged by our friend of the Carthage
Gazette, we incline to the views advanced by
his correspondent, Inquirer" and would
count Keokuk as one of 1.-The first places to
commence hydraulic Improvements, and If
possible, in connection with bridge, &c,
that we might make here great manufac-
turing centre and emporium.