The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1871-01-07
Our Rights Under the Government.

oholi llSHeS, anu snOulu De protected In
them by the general government, is pro-
position that will deny. But it is
hard to see why the state of Wisconsin,
and the town of Superior in the state of
Wisconsin are not equally entitled to be
protected in their rights also by the watch
ful guardianship and fostering care of the
same general government. And we doubt
not that the government of the United
States is willing and ready to see that Wis
consin is properly supported in her rightfu
claims when facts that have been deHber-
ately misrepresented, or concealed altogeth-
er, are brought out into the light of day
There are two things that we wish to bring
to the attention of members Of Congress,
and to the attention of all who are entrust
ed with high authority in the National
Government, and these are, first, that a de-
Iberate attempt has been made and is vet
beng made to destroy the entry to the Bay
Of Superior, to the untold injury of the in
terests of the State of Wisconsin at the
head of Lake Superior; and, secondly, that
the strongest efforts are being put forth by
certain parties who are interested at Du-
luth, in the State of Minnesota, to obtain
millions of money from the general govern
men, x, land grants and cash, for the pur-
pose OF building costly, unnecessary and
artificial harbors at Duluth, that are intend
ed tor the express purpose of superseding
and destroying the natural commercial ad-
vantages possessed by Wisconsin at this
point, thus throwing the immense power of
the government Of the United States IN ia
cor Of one State and against another, and
discriminating in the bestowal of national
bounty IN manner that has no precedent
in the history of the country, and 10 foun-
datlon III common Justice.
AS to the first point, or the attempt of
parties interested in Minnesota to DESTROY
our entry these facts are ample proof:
Jay Cooke has already given out his inten-
ton If possible to carry a railway across
the entry of the Bay of Superior; even the |
Northern Taviff. IL Ia, A. IL o.,
pany to build their main line through Du-
luth. And it can easily be imagined of
what value the harbor of Superior would be |
If the trains Of continental railway were /!
passing and repassing across the entry
thereof, with that entry obstructed as it |
would be by bridges and piers. The mere
fact Of bridge being there, (whether a
Draw bridge or not) would effectualy close
this harbor rs place of refuge, and such
was undoubtedly the intention when the
proposition was made. Notwithstanding
the prohibition of the legislature of Wis
consin, Mr.. Cooke get holds his threat
ening attitude upon this point, and hints
are freely given out by those in his subsidy
that the Wisconsin enactment will not be
regarded.
A memorial to Congress that was lobbied
through the last Legislature of Minnesota
also plainly reveals the intention to destroy
the entry of the Bay of Superior if possible.
This memorial, drafted by a salaried crea-
ture of the St. Paul q Duluth r. r. Com
pany expressly says: "it is fully demon
strated that the "labor and expenditure
''proved abortive, ,''-and this is said in flat
contradiction OF an official statement of q.
5. Engineers (as set forth in Elk Doc. No.
66, Senate, 4lst Congress, 2nd session.
made a short time before the memorial
A beard of I. S. Engineers met by order
at Milwaukee January 10, 1870, and in
their report to government upon the harbor
of Superior and the need of harbor at
Duluth, they said; "The only natural harbor
in this part of the Lake is that afforded BY
the St Louis River which debouches at the
lower end Of Minnesota Point, about seven
miles from the village of Duluth, and for
this the general government has already
a dopted plan of Improvement, and pro-
cressed herewith to the extent of making
the mouth of the river udludble as a harbor.
The completion of this improvement will
undoubtedly furnish all the accommodation
for vessels required by the present or pros
pcctiye wants of the commerce likely to
center at the head of Lake Superior. An
exterior artificial harbor at Duluth could
be constructed only at much greater cost,
and when made would be more limited in
its advantages aud more expensive to Keep
an repair"
Yet the lobbed memorial of the Minneso-
IA legislature asks Congress for help on the
ground that the L. S. WORK on this entry is
M IL 4