Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-02-07

koCK kiyrE IEPEoSEMrST.-Ihe Chica-
70 Ioa discusses thus sensibly upon the
improvement. of Rock River: 1T has long
been matter OF surprise and regret that
the Rock river has no. ct been opened for
navigation. IL passes through one Of the
most fertile and wealthy portions Of the state.
Its banks, on either side, abound with al
mos. inexhausti5le supplies of coal, which
only need navigation for development The
question naturally occurs to those acquaint
Cd with the locality, What is necessary y
accomplish the desired endv About two
miles from the mouth Of Rock river ere
rapids for nearly mile, and in that dis-
tance the water falls nearly ten feet At
this point there are several small islands di
viding the current. All that is needed is
strong dam at tile foot of the rapids, of
sufficient height, and a canal for about half
mile. When these two are completed,
the Rock river viii be navigabe from Cam
den, where it enters the Mississippi, to
Sterling, distance of nearly fifty miles.
The speedy settlement Of counties bor>
dering on this river has frequently drawn
the attention OF capitalists to the plan Of
opening 1t up for trade, and few years ago
canal was partially completed. Several
charters have been granted at different
times, but from tim,dity of capitalists,
financial dep ession or other causes, they
were practically irui,less Of results. At
length company has been formed which
means business. Mr.. D. B. Sears, Of No.
line, gentleman who has been associated
with the settlement and improvement Of
Rock river for the past thirty years, has
purchased large aiaolnt Of real estate
about the rapids and u now asking for .
charter to enable him to pro ,eed with the
work. Mr. Sears has associated with him
his brother in>law, Brevet Major General l..
A Grant, formerly Of the Vermont volun
teers. They ask the Legislature TO give
them permission to construct q dam across
the river, no. 70 exceed fourteen feet in
height, on condition that they dig canal OF
sufficient capacity to pass the largest class
OF vessels that can navigate Rock river
They propose to ie>imbursc themselves for
this outlay by imposing toll on oil vessels
going through, leaving the State TO regulate
the rates. and also agreeing that the State
tray take the work of their hands at any
time by paying the original outlay with six
per cent. interest.
The very ie. oppJ"ei.;s OF ll.is sc!,eme
urge that it 10 merely . private speculate n
on the part Of Mr. Sears and his TRENDS
Such logic is only worthy OF the old foey-
ism VIII IA is the exec ption in these days of
progress. The absolute necessity Of the
canal has alwavs been admitted Tie State
seems disinclincd 10 build it, and
these parties, being owners of large prop,
ery. now practically yalueless. are tired Of
waiting longer. They give every Necessary
guarantee to the public by leaving the di
msnsions OF the canal and the rate of tolls
wholly in the hands of the State Legsls.
ture. They own ali the land through which
the canal will ran, unless, perhaps, some
to push tho work through. Under such |
circumstances we urge npon members the |
advisability of grating Them the desired |
charter. The work has already been too |
long delayed. and the rich counties on Rock |
river, as we'll rs other parts. hSvc been in
,urcd thereby. The work can now be Sc
cured without dollar Of public money, and |
with every public interest carefully guarded.
Mr.. Sears, Of course, is largely interested |
on account Of his extensive real estate
which would speedily become manuiactu.
ring centre, and hence is willing to invest |
heavily III the enterprise IN order to get the
use of the now una al able water power.-I
our legislators, in the interests of heir cen.
stitneuts. shonl1 speedily avail themselves |
OF 50 favorable M opportunity. The appli- |
cation for a charter Is now pending. and we |
commend the question to their careful and |
impartial consideration, believing that the
petitioners will readily secure all they de-
i'e.
WoRNiS0HENs LrsRAgy AND READING; |
ROOM. AT the last meeting of the work
ingmen it was by unanimous vote decided |
70 open rooms of their own aid not eficc.
any union with the Library Association.-
Messrs James Mex IN and L. C. Brace were
appointed to complete the subscription