Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-02-25
The River Improvement.

y
10th inst. was laid before the public several
interesting articles on the improvement Of
the Western rivers, coming from the late
convention held ct St. Louis, wherein much
vAlusble information 10 laid before 10 in
such . shape that the people II tho West
must feel ito importance. The remarks Of
J. D. Eads certsinly cannot fail to impress
upon the mind Of every earnest citizea Of
the valley Of the great river or any Of its
tributaries, the magnitude Of that power
which holds the yoke to our necks. burden
ing the whole productive G asses Of the pop.
ulation, and all others proportionately, who
mix with us for livelihood E = long a. We
are subje ted to such trails connected With
the transportation by water, both by nat
ursl as well as (the less In EXTENT artificial
distractions.
The pccuniary burden becomes incaicula>
tie aud almost inconceivably vast when
viewed in its reality, from year TO year, ~
the business increases. along with the tide
Of emigration fow ing to this wide area Of
county opening up to life and civilization.
Thsre is no wonder that New England's
grasping hand Of avarice is extended to
clutch the immense riches which will how
from . protective tariff They ought
more freely to open their hearts
and donate few millions 70 assiss in im>
proving these great thoroug fires, and aid
the patient toile- in Transporting his earn
ings to . convenient market, and respect
the pressing calls Of commercial enterprise
and wants Of perssvering navigators.
Millions. though, have been lavishsd %
CRAFTY self>righteousness, by which the
profits Of the Holy Scpulchre are groaning
under the lavish abundance Of their wealthy
adherehts. and a.l wrung from the honest
,oi.cr and producer, laboring under this ter
r.ble burden Of obstructed navigation and
nigh railroad freights.
The dangers to life also are Of more i'm.
portance than is ordinarily considered,
though Of no consileration in the mind Of
fanatical legislators. Annually. more or
less, become martyrs TO the neglect Of this
great called for Object. Loss of money by
delay and loss Of life and property by acci>
dent, TO say nothing Of the increased price
Of freight tol2ed upon the producer.
By indications Of the action Of tho House
Of Representatives, these pressing necessi>
ties are to receive some attention, though
fear not to that paramount importance that
the matt.r demands. The recommendation
Of the engineer corps in reference to tho
Upper Rapid, leaves room for much doubt
as to its competent utility, and there 10
great reason to believe that much money
wi! be expended before our wants are fully
met, but let Us keep the bal in motion We
had better spend our wealth for the benefit
of the hardy pioneer and fearless nayi iga.or.
than expose it to the criticism ot honest
christianity.
Those speeches alluded TO at the St. Louis
convention are remarks Of practical men.
They are full Of sentiments indicative Of
ability and originality, derived from exper>
fence. and due estimate Of the coming de>
nand Of this thriving Upu!ence. manifestly
pressing upon the the growth Of great
nation Of cnterprising ard fearless people.
These wants must he me. and are as imper-
attire a. much so as the life Of the nation il.
self. To neglect The matter is a check to
the progress Of events, AID chokes tho reg
ular channels Of trade and commerce neces.
sarv to keep free interchange Of the pros
ducts Of our increasing ambitious populs.
ton. If the channel Of the rapids is manic
festly improved it Goes not destroy many
obstacles which annually thrust themselves
upon the perseveriOg sailor. There are the
delays for wind, which often holds \ boat
from one to five days. Darkness Of night
would often prevent the crossing even with
the improved condition 60 recommended.
Taxing one i,h the other and quite fre>
quen;ly boat and cargo may he detained
tn days on the round trip.
The tariff on freight must be regulated
with those obstacles in view, as long as
boats are lett with the necessity Of follow
ing the channel. Wi,h sufficient canal,
the erpense OF a round trip could be closely
calculated and rates permanently establsh>
cd, on exact time.
To come home to 0pr interest there is
another consideration which possibly may
seem chimercal with some. but The neces>
lty will surely exist, and that necessity will
become fl'ly apparent to all. When .
canal is once built from here TO Le Claire
a railroad will be equally important along
its route. The way and local business viii
sustain it and our city capitalists would at
once feel the benefits of an increased busi.
ness and an immense addition TO the reve-
nue of our count. The transportion Of
rock and lime alone from LIE Claire 70 this
point, in view of the present contemplated
improvements for tho next three or four
years is no small consideration. While con-
templasing the coming necessity based upon
the future growth Of the North and Western
States in proportion 10 the influx Of the
past Is or 30 years. there can be no other
conclusion to meet the demands than that
sufficient canal shosld be built, and rail.
road even then to accommodate this surplus
and contingent necessities which will force
themselves 20 light faster than the cxhilia-
rating etfec.s Of unexpected fortune upon
the stagnant life and opulence and wealth.
1t is important ttat the people interested in
the improvement contemplated speak out on
this subject and not let Congress, through
the report Of Engineers. commit an error
which We cannot help but feel for thS rext
10 or 20 years, as there would b. but
small chance TO regain what hasty legislation
sink in futile and Intellectual attempt TO
satisfy the growing importance Of subject
wherein millions Of people are virtually in>
terested. -
HAcEBoRcK's Ngw LrrnoeRAPn or nm
CrY OF DAvESroRr.-For nearly two years
past Mr.. A. Hseeboeck, the we'll know lith.
ographic artist Of this citylbas been engaged
in producing large, correctly drawn and
beautifully illustrated picture of Davenport
Truthfully il may be said that he has spar
"a No TINA in ner(arfir n . fhis work and Nth