The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-28

Afternoon SESSION..
On the re.assembling of the convention,
the committee on resolutions reported a. fol-
lows:
RESOLUTIONS.
WHEREAS, The state of Illinois and the country
west and morrill, have made such rapid strides in set
Element Improvements, production aud business gen.
orally, within few years past that, notwithstand
ing the advantages of lakes and rivers and q large
number of railroads recently constructed state
Is now IN great need Of increased and cheaper faci
ties for transportation and this difficulty must contin
ne from year to year to magnify in greater ratio, on
account of the unlimited of the state and
because of very extensive and rich country west
and north OF it, that does now and must for all time
to come do its carrying trade across this state
unless there radical change in the entire
tenn of transportion. And,
WHEREAS, Lakes rivers and canals are far chea-
per means of carrying heavy articles than railroads
and surveys and estimates made by competent engi-
neers prove clearly that canal can be constructed
from the Mississippi river at Rock Island to
the Illinois river at Hennepin that the
igation of the Illinois and Rock Rivers may be suf
fcienty improved and connected by canal, and the
Illinois and Michigan Canal deepened and enlarged
| so as to pour through its channel any amount of
water from the lake that may be desired and all for
| a sum of money not great the amount now
paid by the citizens of Illinois in excessive freights
| and that these improvements, if made and judic-
ousy managed, will save to the people of Illinois,
each and every year. their entire cost and that they
will DO so extensive widely distributed over the
state and from such important connections between
the lakes and the Mississippi to fully justify the
Legislature of the state of Illinois in assuming the
responsibility of their completion; therefore,
Resotued, j. That we hail with the highest salts
faction the report of the survey of the canal from
the Illinois river to the Mississippi which report
demonstrates beyond question, that the is
inenty feasible for constructing first class canal.
2. That the construction of this canal, with nav
Ia fhaiy,
| of the Illinois and Rock rivers opening up gener-
al system Of international navigation, and cempet-
ing the connection by water between the Mississippi
and the lakes the line of the greatest continental
commerce, are works of immediate and lasting i'm
portance, required by the agricultural and CONNER
cal interests of the whole country, and enter
prizes worthy ofthe public spirit, greatness and high
destiny of the state of Illinois.
3. That in view of the value of the investment in
| these works, and the ample revenue to be derived
from them when completed, well to insure cheap
| transportation to the people, we are decidedly and
emphaticaly in favor OF their construction and own
| ership by the state.
| 4. That this convention, after mature delibera.
ton and investigation of the surveys and estimated
cost of these Improvements, and of their location
| connections and influence upon the people of the
state of Illinois, has hesitancy in declaring that
it is the duty of the legislature at its session
adopt such measures AMI enact such laws will lead
| to speedy construction of these works.
| D. That we tender our thanks to Col. Hudnutt
!
| formation they have communicated to this conven
ton and their testimony of the worth and Importance
OF these works and also to Colonel R. B. Mason fol
his Endorsement contained in q written communities
| ton presented TO this convention.
b. That q committee of seven be appointed tC
memorable the legislature of Illinois and present tbs
surveys and estimates made in reference to thess
improvements, and such facts and reasons for thel
construction seem judicious and also petition
congress for assistance directly in aid of these works
or through the legislature of the state may seen
expedient-
Z. That it is the Of this convention that the
| general government should make the necessary ap
preparation without delay to improve the navigation
of the DesMolnes and Rock Island Rapids of the
| Upper Mississippi river, and such Improvement o
| the Illinois and Rock Rivers surveys may demon
strate to be necessary and practicable.
The report of the committee was adopted
after some discussion, as result of which
the eighth resolution in the report, relating
to the construction Of bridges across the Mis-
issippi river, was stricken out.
La accordance with the sixth resolution tn.
following persons were appointed commit
tee on memorial to the legislature
3 Stevens, Princeton,
j NJ Allan, Geneseo,
G Bittenbanner, Rock Island,
Joseph Utley, Dixon
/ NJ Church, Rockford.
L Robinson, Rock Island,
| W Houghtelling, Chicago.
After the adoption of the resolutions, some
unimportant conversational discussion Wa.
INDUCED 10 and the convention adjourned
sine die.