The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-01-20

gagged in agricultural pursuits, and none
I can do more to promote them, if they
will.
] respectfully call your attention to the
suggestions in my last annual message
regarding thorough geological survey
of the state. l. am convinced that such
AN investigation of the hidden wealth of
the state would be of vast benefit to the
people. '''t gag
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. IL
There has been some activity displayed in the
work Of constructing RAILWAYS within this
state during the past year. Several lines are
being extended, and many very important
ones have been projected, with every prospect
OF IN early completion. There Is reason to
! DelleYe that when our national finances shall
have become more fully settled, there will be
constructed many miles ofraiiways, affordjng
much needed facilities for the TRANSPORTATION
OF freights, and opening up The vast tracts Of
rich agricultural and mineral lands in the
lrorthern part of our state. ld19 i 4f8.
i One hundred and forty miles OF the military
road from Fort Howard to the Michigan State
line have been completed and accepted.
j Inc company upon which was conferred the
lands granted by congress to aid in construct.
ing the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, have not SO
/ prosecution OF the enterprise
1t is indispensable to the settlement OF the
northwestern portion of the state that the
grant OF land to aid in building a railroad
from Lake st. Crolx TO Superior and Bayfield,
| be renewed by Congress, and I recommend
that you memoriaize Congress for such re-
neWal. If the grant is renewed and there is
no good reason why it should not be, | have
no oouDt tnat the companies now chartered
will construct the roads ut an early day =
The Department OF the Interior having at
my request, given to the state full control
| OF the lands embraced in the grant, for the
purpose of protecting the valuable timber
/ growing thereon, measures have been adop-
ted by Gen. Sam'l Hartman, the agent ap-
pointed for that purpose, which will, it is be
Neved, entirely prevent future trespasses.
| His efforts already have secured the payment
ola large sum ofmoneY to the United States
and state authorities, in settlement of past
trespasses. | submit herewith the agents re-
port. II the grant is renewed, the state will
continue to protect the lands a34f n1i
Kindred to the subject of railway facilities,
and of equal Importance to the people of the
northwest, is the necessity for the improve
ment OF the Wisconsin river by the general
governments. This is an enterprise which at
fects alike the citizens ofevery state interest,"
ed in the question of cheap freights between
the east and the west. The expenditure of a
small sum of money for such improvement
will amount to millions of dollars annually,
and the consequent increased Development
of the country will add vastly to the amount
of light ireights to be transported by our rail-
roads No one who has investigated the sub
ject doubts for moment the adyisability Of
governments entering at once upon the pros
ecution of the work. There is no point in the
United States where the expenditure of
SIS, 000,0O will contribute SO much to the gen.
eral good. The effect will be to reduce the
cost Of transportation not only upon the
freights carried by water, but also upon those
carried by every other means. IL is estima-
ted that, with the rates fixed at one cent per
ton per mile, about the tar if of the Erie canal
the yearly saving, which will enure equally
to the producer and consumer, will amount
to at least twice the total cost Of the improve.
mcnt. The shipments east are estimated to
be full z, 900, 600 tons annually, and those
west $50, COO tons. Should one-f fifth of this
freight go by way %the Wisconsin river,
tolls at above mentioned rates, would. after
allowing for repairs and to the carrier q fair
profit, amount to nearly or quite million of
dollars annually. Chus the general govern
ment could be reimbursed within six years
after the completion of the improvement,
should reimbursement be demanded. Then
tht rate of tolls could be reduced nearly 100
per cent.
But vastly more important than the mere
financial consideration is the necessity for
such national naval highway between the
lakes and the mississippi river as this i'm
provement will afford. In his report to Gen.
Humpress, Chief OF engineers, made in April,
1868, the engineer in charge OF the surveys up
on the Wisconsin river, Gen. G. K Warren,
says: STEAMBOATS, would continue to run
upon the (Wisconsin) river were it not for
three railroad and four common road BRIDGES
crossing it between Portage aid the mouth
These bridges have draws, but the piers are
so badly located and constructed as 10 greatly
endanger the passage of boats. It
will be necessary to thoroughly remodel all
the bridges across the river where draws are
placed, and inasmuch as they have been
placed as they are without opposition, it NAV
be but just in reconstructing them that the
riverimprovemtn mt should bear a portion of
the expense, as has been provided for in the
case of Rock Island BRIDGE
1t is proper for you to inquire whether any
and what, legislation upon this subject is
needed.
At an improvement convention held at
Portage City, October Goth last, the follow
ing resolution was adopted
Resolved That the Legislature of Wiscon
sin be requested to make terms with the
Green Bay and Mississippi Canal Company by
which, in the event of an appropriation by
Congress, the rights and franchises of said
company be surrendered to the general gov
eminent or to the state.
l recommend that committee from your
honorable body confer with the company,
and obtain from it's officers some definite
proposition.
/ again call attention to the importance of
the early completion ofthe Northern Pacific
Railroad, IruStlnSkIDdG you Will IurJner JnlS
great natirnal work by every proper encour-
agement
NATIONAL,
The present aspect OF our national affairs is
highly gratifying. After many years of har
RAISING turmoil and anxiety, we now realize
the tranquility of profound peace. All the
states lately il rebellion will very soon be re-
turned to their places in the Union, with con-
situations republican in spirit as well in FORM
The proposed fifteenth amendment to the
Federal Constitution is sure of ratification,
and by preventing the disfranchisement of
any class of citizens will secure to all the full
enjoyment of our free institutions.
The several departments of the general
government are laboring zealously and har-