North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-03-16

the Mississippi and Lake Michigan by the
Wisconsin and Fox rivers, and that the
improvement necessary to make the route
available for steamers Of the heaviest
draft used on the upper Mississippi, are
estimated to cost less than FIVE million
dollars. The obstruction between Lake
Erie and Lake Ontario is regarded the
most serious in the proposed route, but
from careful surveys, it is stated that a
ship canal. in capacity equal to St. Mary's
at the outlet Of Lake Superior, can he
constructed not far from Welland canal
for $6.OOO,O0O. The rapids Of the St.
Lawrence can be gotten around inside Of
million, and an adequate canal between
Montreal and Lake Champlain, can be
constructed for 81, SOC, 900, with but two
locks of II feet lift each. From the head
of Lake George to the Hudson is SIX
miles. A canal of this length, and the
requisite improvement of the Hudson by
locks and dams, would cost about Sc. OOO,-
600. As thus estimated, the entire work
weuld cost less than SIC, 100000.
1t is estimated that an average charge
OF fifty cents per ton for the entire dis
lance from the Mississippi to the seaboard,
will yield revenue of 81, SOC, 900 on bust.
ness already existing on the lakes, and it
is safe to say that the increase Of the bust
ness created by the opening up of this
route would increase this revenue by near
ly $4,000, 900 per annum. If these esti.
mates are approximately correct, the
above rates of toll might be reduced one
half. and yet give dividend of ten per
cent. on capital stock. The friends of
the route expect that the General Governs
ment will complete the work, but if it
does not, the only thing necessary will be
to eonvisce capitalists that the project
will pay literally as an investment.
1t ia advocated that the work be under
taken as single enterprise, inasmuch as
it will secure the completion Of the whole
work in the shortest possible time, and
for the reason that the coE.ple ton Of
any one part will not materially benefit
the country by the reduction Of charges.
The memorial shows that the prospects of
railroad competition with this route even
Of the great freight road projected be-
tween the East and West are very incon'
siderable. The memorial concludes with
the resolutions urging upon Congress the
necessity Of speedy legislation and appro.
priations for the carrying out of the
project.
Amusing.
We clip the following from Ishm@l's
paper. The communication from Pr du
Chen is from wellknown correspondent
The 'inexpressibly grand and noble''
Of the Ishmaclite is beautiful to behold.
His unpublishable weasly flth forhids
general notice. We probe him occasions
ally simply to enable him to let his read.
ers know how foul is his social and politi.
cal stomach:
A Word of Cheer.
We would rather be the possessor of the
followin. letter Of approval and encour-
agement from that good man, Rev. Mr..
Dudley, Episcopalian pastor at Prairie du
CHEN, than all the money that all the
horse racers, gamblers, whiskey dealers
and their associates in crime, ever made
by their nefarious practices since the
world began. This one letter is more
shan an Offset for all the abuse which the
malignant organs Of the vicious and de.
graded elements Of society here and else
where heap upon us.
PRAIRIE DU CHEN, Mar. 5th, 1870.
r. ToMPKINs, ESQ,
Dear Sir ALLOW me (although it may
he more Tor the qualification of my own
clings than any benefit to you) to COM
mend the editor Of the McGregor Ners
for the wholesome moral tone which char
acterizes that journal, and for the u1com
promising, though courteous frmness,
with which it confronts and ressts the
numerous popular forms Of vice by which
the good order of society is violated, and
the hearts and minds OF our young men
msled and degraded.
There is something inexpressibly grand
and noble in the position Of that press
which, in these days of license and crime.
has the courage to wheel its mighty Bat
terry d. Enftade across the crowded path
way of rascality. and in the name Of
common decency, reason and humanity,
bid the selfish. cruel and lawlass leaders
of all sorts Of deriltry to HALT! Hoping
that such may ever be your only oppo.
nents, until all your enemies are van
pushed, lam, Very respectfully yours,
! II. C. HAMILTON DUDLEY.