Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-07-07
NaterloWn Republican.
NcaaeS7Qy, d56lp r. 1869.
THE FOX AND WISCONSIN RTV-
Err IMPROVEMENT.

The advantages of water communica-
ton over all others, when regarded as
an economical meansof transportation
are too obvious to require mention or
enumeration. The expenditure offucI
and labor required to transport a certain
quantity Of wheat one hundred miles by
rail, would be sufficient to carry it
several times that distance BY water.
As we argued few weeks since, the
interes' Of the west demand a choap
outlet for its productions. IF the prod
acts Of the west can be carried to their
respective markets in the east or else
whore, by an all water route, for one
taird Of the amount which it now costs
to transport them, the greater part of this
difference in rates will remain in the pro
ducers'pockets and add Just that amount
to their profits. Where the carrying
trade is so immense as is that of moving
the surplus products Of the rth-We5t, it
i of the utmost Importance that an all
water route to market be secured if
possible. It was this uFgeu; need which
suggested tie experiment of sending
grain to New York and Europe by the
way Of the Mississippi and the ocean,
but which there is reason to believe
will not supply the necessary require
ments, asitisreported that Of three car
goes Of wheat thus seat, enc arrived at
its destination in a badly damaged
condition. In consequence Of this re-
port the railroads have again raised
their rates and the benefits which were
expected from the new route will fail
TO be realized. One result Of this fail
ure Will undoubtedly be that increased
attention will be directed to the other
opportunities which offer a means Of
obtaining water communication, and
there is reason to hope that the great
natural highway of the Wisconsin and
Fox rivers, which is already we'll nigh
completed for use, and Ehicl is capa-
BE Of being easily and cheaply made to
supply the great, pressing want Of the
west, may be thoroughly improved and
made ready for the iamense traffic
which would from the first crowd It to
its full capacity. Let no one say that
this is merely local or sectional con-
cern-there are but few parts of the
State which would not share Immediate
" ia the di. ect benefits which it would
confer, and none which would not feel its
indirect advantages. The natural ca
pacity Of the country which these rivers
traverse Is fally as great as that of
Central New York along TIE line of the
Ere Canal; and if rich and populous
cities have sprung up every few miles
along that great thoroushfare, there is
every reason to expect that the same
thing will be repeated il this case.
The advantages which would accrue to
all engaged in industrial occupations, in
all parts Of the State, from such an in
crease Of population, can not be over
estimated. Every community occupied
with manufacturing or with agricultural
pursuits, or with wholesale traffic, would
at once find an immense demand for
its wares close at hand. Other and
40 less important considerations speak
loudly in favor Of this, improvements and
We hope to see the earnest efforts which
arc being made to secure it, meet with
such encouragement from the press and
people Of the State that they may speed
sly obtain that success which is sure
TO attend them in the end.
DULUTH.-The dividing line be-
aWcen Northern Wisconsin and Mime
sofa terminates at the extreme western
point Of Lake Superior. Superior City