The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-04-18

Total. Observation-Disclosures. .$l7s,649
Amount actually expended on Rock river
improvement up to December I'd, 1889, $34,-
O76.
From the foregoing report, which is doubt |
less entirely reliable, and from what know
of the points mentioned for improvement, l
believe it to be a very faithful and true, it
places the question of the improvement of
Rock river for navigation In more favorable
aspect than its most sanguine friends had an
ticipated, and brings the expense entirely
within the means, and, i'll am not much mis-
taken, within the disposition of the people of
Rock river valley to consumate.
Thus much for the improvement of Rock
river per Sc. / would crave your patience a
little longer while present an appendage to
the improvement of Rock river. This ap
pendage consists of the construction of a
canal along the basin, or sag, lying between
the Mississippi and Rock rivers, forming the
line between the counties of Whitesdes and
Rock Island, known as the Meredocia swamp.
This swamp extends from one river to the
other. AT the Mississippi end, 1t has chan
mel of four miles, which may at certain Sea
sons be navigated without any work. 1t has
also formed a channel at the Rock river end
for several miles. The entire length from
one river to the other is II miles. At least
half of this distance there is at present almost
q navigable channel, and the balance is but
very little elevated above the level of the
water in these rivers, and am creditable in
formed that the water has been known to flow
from one river to the other in time OF fresh
cts This would give about six miles of the
deepest cut, which think would not average
above 10 or II feet. The balance would not
average over half that amount. This route
runs the entire distance on a fat, swampy
line, with no deep outs and no rock to ezoa-
vate. There can hardly be imagined a line
of the same length where a canal oan be more
cheaply made. This canal connects the two
rivers, about so miles above the mouth on
Rock river, and SIS miles above the mouth Of
Rock river on the Mississippi. To make this
canal 100 feet wide, estimating the cost at
Is cents per cubic yard, the miles of II
| feet cut will cost $50, 900 per mile, or S312,-
900; the remaining s miles will cost about
half that sum, or Sl56, 900, q total of $685.
| 600. But suppose it should COST 81 ,000, 900
or even SIS 900, 900, would not the money be
advantageously spent
| Zou may ask what is the necessity of this
canal? 1t would open navigation from St.
Paul and Port Byron above the Mississippi
rapids, with Sterling, and, in fact, all of Rock
river below. Sterling at once, and would
bring the navigation of the Mississippi river
|
which is now at Fulton, l36 miles, the near
est point. And, when the rapids at Sterling
shall have been improved, freights from St.
Paul, as well as all points below on the Miss
issippi, will be landed at Dixon, only %
miles from Chicago.
The Chicago and Northwestern railroad
company has double track from Chicago to
the junction, 80 miles From the junction to
Dixon is GO miles. How easy it would be for
this wealthy company to lay down q second
or even a third track 10 Dixon, which, when
this Improvement of the river is made, will
| virtually be the nearest point to the Mississ-
ippi river. Let this second and third track
be used entirely for freighting, and then
| freights may be reduced, the farmers become
| prosperous, the railroad make money, and
Chicago business men hold their present GUS
toners.
Then, after Rock river shall have been
made navigable to Dixon, and this canal shall
have been completed will not the country
require and be able to build the proposed
canal from Dixon to La Sale. the prelimna-
ry survey of which is reported in your valu-
able paper of the 2lst ultp Prior to that sur
vey there had been great doubt about the
possibility of getting the necessary water to
supply a canal between Rock river and the
Illinois. This survey has entirely removed
that doubt; and, when this final link shall
| be completed, Chicago will at once be brought
| In connection with the entire navigable wa
| tiers of the Mississippi river, and thus perma.
nently secure the vast trade of the north west,
which she can alone do by furnishing cheap
er means of transit, and nothing but water
can be made to meet the requirements of the
| country.
| As it may be objected that Dixon is too cir
cuitous a route to reach Chicago by water
from the Mississippi, by means of the canal
from Dixon to La Sale, / would suggest that
the late preliminary survey shows that the
line must run very near Nelson, and within
about four miles of Sterling, and within one
| and Q half miles of Rock river, near Nelson.
| A short cut from the river to the canal of
one and a half miles, with q lock, would save
the necessity of running up to Dixon by rIv-
| or, about miles, and back the same distance
thus making quite direct line from the
Mississippi at Albany to Chicago.
| Believing that l have shown that the i'm
/ provement of Rock river and the cutting of
this Meredocia canal are greatly needed by
the country. and that the cost of dong the
work is Insignificant IN comparison with the
great benefits to flow therefrom, the next
question of most Importance seems to be, how
are the funds necessary to execute this work
to be obtained?
With regard to the improvement of the
lower rapids on Rock river and the cutting
OF the canal, expect congress to appropriate
the money necessary. Why? you will ask
Because in so doing the rapids on the Miss.
issippi at Rock Island are improved in the
cheapest way that it is possible to improve
them. The general government has always
regarded the Improvement of the rapids ON
! the Mississippi river ~ its proper work, and,