Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-01-20


ID lake which furnishes . svsr.fAiling
supply q wstsr: It is not subject TO the
distractions which threaten many other
rivers. It has no sand. bars like the Illinois
river, ner IT, iow narshy banks Of many
other rivers which have been made naviga-
BILE. Submit it = practical snginscrs. and
they vii say thcre 10 not river in the
United States 80 susceptible Of being easily
made navigable by means Of locks and dams
~ Rock river, and ] apprehend 1t will
be found that it will pay profit
of at least so per cent. upon the
money invested. Situated o We are, desti-
tute Of water power in this state, Rock
river furnishes more than all the rest Of the
state besides. Construct these dams, and
then rent for hydraulic purposes. would
more than pay the interest on their cost
Besides this, you would cause manufactor
les to grow up on its banks, rivaling those
Of New England, and the increased valua
pay for it with tax so small that the PEG
pie would never feel it.
Iapprove Of the plan Of striking from
the resolutions every thing which does not
look TO the immediate improvement u Rock
river. You attempted improvement once,
but failed because the commercial interests
Of the country did no. require it, but the
vast a sembiages at these popular meetings
tells the story whether it is . necessity
now or not. do not believe congress will
ever give you q cent to make = canal from
the lakes to the Mississippi river, nor no !
believe you ought to allow any incorpors-
ted company to control these Improvements.
Let them be the property Of the great state
of Illinois, and let 1t bequeath them as mon
umen,s ofits enterprise to succeeding geners
tons. II is said that It will take long time to
complete this work, but let there be be-
ginning. Appoint committee Of judicious
men, and have The proper survey made, and
let us know the cost Of the improvement,
| aud then we shall know what to do BY
the time this j. effected the legislature will
be in session, and then We can ask the state
Of Illinois to improve this river, and ask in
such manner that it will do it. It is my
judgment that it will not refuse it.
The question Of striking out was further
discussed
Resolred, That the Supervisors of the
counties adjacent to Rock River be request
ed to make an appropriation Of $500 each
for the purpose of making an accurate sur
vey Of Rock river, with view Of slack water
improvement and that committe. Of two
from each county be appointed by the board
Of Supervisors, making such constitute a
committee to carry the resolution into
effect.
The amendment was adopted; 63 to SO.
The report Of the committee. as amended,
was then adopted.
On motion Of Mr. Terrell, the vote adopt
ing tho amendment was re considered. Car
ricd
A further motion TO lay the amendment
on the table was carried. A still further
motion to adopt the report as originally re-
ported was adopted.
On motion Of Mr.. Gushing it was resolved
that the Supervisors Of each county laying
on Rock river be requested to appropriate
the sum of $500 to make survey Of that
river, and that q committee of two persons
from each county be appointed by them to
carry the matter into effect