Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-05-12
BRIDGING TEE MISSISSIPPI
The Necessity of an UnObstruc-
ted River

The following letter from prom
inent business man in ST. Louis, viii be
read with interest:
G. l.. BARNES, Prescott, Wis., Sir:
From Congress / learn the Commit
| tee on Post Offices and Post Routes are
determined TO recommend that the bridge
at Clinton be declared Post Route;
thereby legalizing that structure as it no,y
stands; Notwithstanding a suit is now
pending to declare it a nuisance, Rock
Island to follow, then bills for eight or
nine others, all with narrow draws and
low spans. All of US ought to work
earnestly to keep the river free; have
bridges; but have proper bridges, such
as have been built at other places. The
whole nine new obstructive bridges was
scbemed at Chicago to so block the river
That grain in bulk would be forced to 60
by rail and lake. Raise the ablest and
most energetic Of your citiEensi call pub
lie meetings, frame resolutions, send them
to proper men in Congress insisting that
the river be unobstructed; that draw
bridges shall have two hundred feet wa
ter passage in the channel, or still better
that over the channel fifty feet above
high water they have permanent span
three hundred feet between piers. There
is no necessity for bridge to be ob
structive-the coutrary-insist that nei-
Their steamboat nor railroads infringe on
public rights; that both routes be kept
fully open. Let your papers discuss this
above all be prompt. Let US have free
and unobstructed navigation, cheap
freights; keep all avenues open for the
public benefit; ten bad obstructive bridg
es render the river almost useless; five
hundred good ones need do no harm.
Very Respectfully
JAMES f. GRIFFITH.
1t seems that the combined monopoles
between the Northwest and Lake Michi-
gan are determined to place all obsta
clcs in the way of transportation from
this great and growing country to the
Gulf of Mexico. Congress is Emporium.
ed from day to day with petitions from
petty towns, Controlled by Chicago and
Eastern intorests)for bridges for railroads
aud other purposes. 1t seems to us that
the people Of the North West must strike
for themselves for self-preservation.
The present system of monopolies by
river and rail will prove ruiDous TO the
country, and we should resist all en-
croachments that may be attempted up
on the free aud unobstructed passage of
the Mississippi.
A COOP JoKR.-We learned of an in
cident that occurred few days since,
which is worth telling. Hon. G. B. Cox
of River Falls went from here to Reeds
Landing in company with Presiding I'll
der FULLERTON aud Rev. +. S. HAvENs,
and from there they went up the Chip
pewa together. Mr.. Cox, on his return
stoppe at the American House, where
the well known BULLARD holds FORTH
When about to.leave, after settling his
bill with the Clerk, he asked Mr.. Bullard
if Messrs. Fullerton & Haveus had re-
turned. Mr.. Billiard told Linn they had,
and then locking at MIR. Cox's venerable
f.ca a n,omant handed bias hack half
the amount of his bill saying, 81 don't
charge you folks only half price" Mr.
Cox saysit is the first time be ever derivr
ed any pecuniary benefit from being
| mistaken for a minister. SOD 49,