The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-02

The full report of the proceedings of the
lock Island canal convention, as published
the Chicago Times, contains many facts of
lssrsss to our readers, which we republish
Glow:
REPORT OF THE SURVEY COMMITTEE.
The ocmmisse appointed in May last to ef-
cot survey of q route for canal from La
allie to Rock Island, and from the Summit
Dixon, made through the chairman, J. NJ
alan, Esq, report, which was unanimous
= adopted, and which contains the following
acts
Col. Hudnutt, of the Chicago university,
nd formerly connected with the New York
annals and the li.,ifgpais and Michigan canal,
ras. on recommendation of Hon. VIM. Good
~, Col. Mason, and othey engineers. appoint
4 60 take charge of the survey. The work
gas commenced at Dixon, on January q,
nd it was soon shown that the waters OF
sook river could be taken by canal to the
summit of the route for a canal from LaSalle
Rock Island. The survey was completed
~ the middle of August, and shows that the
ength of canal necessary to connect the Hill
lois river with the Mississippi is sixty four
niles only, and the iengt of the canal feeder
rom the summit to Dixon is thirty eight
,snal of such large capacity as the Illinois
and Michigan canal is 81, 600, 900. The sur
vev also shows the feasibility of deepening
and enlarging the canal. These improve
ments, the committee ASSERT, would increase
the business of the Illinois river tenfold-
The distance from Rock River, by the new
course, to the Illinois river and thence down
tao stream to ST. Louis is less than the dis
sauce from Rock Island down the Mississi ppi
to ST. Louis. The Rock river improvement
will afford cheap outlet to the extensive
coal fields of Illinois. The cost of the entire
work, they say, will not exceed the amount
now paid annually in excessive treig hts, which
they would remove. In view of these impor-
tsnt facts, the committee urged the convsn-
ton to unite in and adopt measures looking
20 the early completion of the work.
LETTER FROM COL. MASON - THE PROPOSED
IMPROVEMENT.
Alderman c. G. P Holden, of Chicago.
said he had been appointed by the common
council of the city of Chicago a delegate to
this convention, and had called upon Col. r.
R. Mason, a member of the Chicago board OF
public works. for the deepening of the Iii
nois and Michigan canal, who had sent him a
communication giving his views on the pro.
posed improvements. The letter contains
VIC poAhho
l. In lowering the summit of the Illinois
and Michigan canal, he believes that this
work will accomplish the cleansing of the
Chicago river, and dispense with the large
and extensive pumping works at Bridgeport
and with the Calumet feeder, thereby lessen.
ing the expense of operating the canal, and
afferding a large yearly income for the pay.
ment of the canal debt.
2. The Improvement of the Illinois river.
The state, he says, has q canal one hundred
miles in length. With perhaps an average
of two months in year, the Illinois river lie
navigable for canal boats; the balance of the
year the boats were confined to the CANAL
Improve the Illinois river and we substan.
TALLY add three hundred miles orsnore 60 our
oansl, with good navigation the eAtire season
He thought that the improvement would add
100 per cent. to the business of the t~asent
canal, and that the nett increase from 10th
improvements would coon pay it's canal deb.
and the river improvement. To the means
for improving the river he adds that if the
state cannot, under its constitution, raise the
money to do it, why not raise the money by
taxi The taxable property OF the state be
estimates at $600, 1000, 900, on which tax OF
one mill per year, for three years, would
nearly pay the cost of improvement, and that
he state would receive a large income from
increased sales.