The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-12-12

their grain transferred at fixed price, ship
| pers net OF this convention, he had no doubt,
would be able to get their grain transferred at
half the price by the other elevators He
thought the best thing for this convention was
to agitate the matter of independent ware
houses and floating elevators The Illinois
River Freight and Transportation Co. were
willing to sell their elevator at reasonable
price
Mr.. Barton moved the following resolution,
which was adopted
RssoLvED, That the chair appoint committee of
five to receive propositions frsm parties in Chicago
that may be desirous to transfer canal grain, and
that, in the event Of their not receiving PROPOSE
tions which to them shall seem satisfactory, they
shall ascertain the cost Of two floating elevators
their proceedings to be reported to an adjourned
meeting OF this convention to be held on the I'd
Tuesday in January next.
On motion, the chairmrn of the convention
was requested to act rs one of said committee
and the chair appointed Messrs. Barton,
Truett, Powell and Bruce as the other men,
bers of the committee
The committee to draft resolutions IN refer
ence to the improvement of the Illinois river
submitted the following report:
That this convention consider the improvement
Of the Illinois river from La Sale to the Mississippi
|
affordng as it will, direct navigation from Chica-
"a, on Lake Michigan to the Gulf of Mexico, atfor-
ding ocean navigation to the spippersof the Illinois
valley at all times when the Illinois river is navi-
gable, and especially during that portion Of the
spring when the northern lakes and Erie canal are
closed BY ice.
That the great difficulty to the navigation of the
Illinois river during six months Of the year arises
streams tributary to the river which can be obvia.
ted, and volume of water Of ct least six feet OBJ
tanned BY the erection of locks and dams not sx-
cesdng in cost $2,os0.eoo -....
That the improvement would be but continue
tion OF the Ill. N. canal and, if completed would
quadruple the amount OF business now done upon
the canal, which is soon, - the committee are ad-
vised. to become the property Of the state.
That, as source OF revenue, 1t will greatly add
to the resources of the state, and become at once
certain and safe means of transportation between
lake Michigan and the Gulf of Mexico.
That, in our opinion, the legislature of the state
At its coming session, should make ample sppropri.
stions for the speedy commencement and early
| completion of this great state and national i'm.
provement
That in the event the Legislature should BE- un
willing to make the necessary appropriation for
the purpose of improving the river they should at
least grant charter of Incorporation, liberal in its
terms, with ample powers and franchises, under
which citizens could at once organize and accomp-
lish the Improvement the earliest possible day,
reserving to the state the right to purchase the
same at any time
That we demand the improvement by virtue Of
the 5000 sos 600, the value Of our agricultural pro-
ductions, which are hemmed in BY sand bars and
the rigors and tortuous windings Of the northern
| lakes, from our homes to the sea.
The resolutions being under consideration
Mr.. TRUETT said this was a question of
immediate interest to us as river men, and of
deep interest to the whole state. The work
was not only of great Importance. but entirely
of,v Ss,ss III
not be more proitsbly expended in any other
| way Mr.. Wilson had made careful survey
and estimate of the cost and placed it at ST.
100000, which would give us Z feet of water
at the lowest stage from the Mississippi river
| to La Salle That would be the cost of less
than so miles of railroad, and would open a
channel that would increase the wealth of the
whole state 10 per cent. But he was opposed
to this great artery falling into the hands of a
corporation. The state was under moral
obligation to do this work, and if the state
failed, the National Government must do it,
There is less than 90 feet fall from La Sale to
| St. Louis Four dams were all it needed
The work was of more Importance than the
proposed ship canal But if our state shows
we are in earnest about the river, the chances
of congress building the ship canal would be
tenfold increased.
Mr.. CoFPING regretted the gentleman had
not made his speech before the committee was
raised-he ought to have been on it. The
committee had proposed company to make
the improvement when all other efforts had
failed If Mr.. Tructt had seen the same dis
appointments and delays in the matter that he
(Mr. CO. had seen he might be less averse to a
corporation undertaking it. What objection,
rs last resort, was there to company, with
the right reserved to the state at any time to
take 1t out of their hands an paying the cost
of the work Improve the canal, and Chicago
must come to us. 1t was good thing to have
! two strings to our bow.
| The resolutions, after being slightly amend
ed (the amendments are embodied in them as
given above) were unanimously adopted
Mr.. Powell called attention to the fact that
grain men had been heavy losers during the
past season by being robbed by boatmen. He
thought something ought to be done by this
convention 0n that subject.
| On motion, the matter was postponed to
the next meeting.
Mr.. Barton made \ motion, which was
adopted, that the proceedings of this conven-
ton be published in all the papers on the line
interested.
The convention then adjourned, to meet
again at the Clifton Hotel in Ottawa, on the
second Tuesday G2th) of January next.
Try pair of Child j. Bros custom made kin
or calf boots.