The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-03-16

concur. 1He Only nope lor IL Is III Gull
mttee of conference.
THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN SUPERIOR
AND DULUTH
1t seems that the article that appeared in
the Superior TINES of the 2nd inst in re-
gard to the dixie, has aroused the several
sheets of Duluth, and they have forthwith
filled their issues with skulls and cross
bones, verbiage and billingSgate. Ofcourse
we expected nothing else from the Tribune
and Herald, but we confess we thought that
the responsibility of the Minnesotiaa might
cause that paper to attempt some argument
instead Of descending to the slang of its
Duluth contemporaries. 1t seems however
that the oldest editor of Minnesota is una
bic to defend the usurpations of Duluth by
any reasoning, and is compelled to solace
his ruffled temper with vituperations and
personalities Oh Doctor. pray remember
that a loss of temper is the best evidence
Of bad cause.
AS q large number of our readers are non
residents, many of whom own property in
this county, aud as large number of them
are probably unaware ofthe ground ofcom-
plants made by Superior and the citizens
of Wisconsin against the encroachmentS
and trespasses of Duluth and Minnesota, we
propose to give in this number a brief re-
view of the facts which we deem treSpasses,
and of the law upon which we rely to war
rant US in taking that position, and to abate
the nulsances
We set out with the proposition that Du-
luth has an undoubted right to improve its
harbor, provided that in so doing it does
not trespass upon the rights of others, and
does not deprive other places of their nat
ural advantages, CT the citizens OF other
states of rights guaranteed to them by the
law of the land. Sic attere t9tO, ut aIieHtt,a
non leadas, is a principle of law as fully ap-
plicable to corporations and communities
as TO individuals, and the open and defiant
disregard which our neighbors have so
habtually shown to the undoubted rights
Of other communities, will Of necessity soon
meet check, such as they little expect.
Nothing perhaps will illustrate the law
less feeling of the residents of Duluth more
clearly, than an expression made use Of by
one of the leading dignitaries of that burgh,
in our presence only few days ago. In
the course of conversation that ilustrious
light Of the Duluth corporation remarked,
/ l, Ill ,-,,l Il
of right, Justice and the laws, but now he
had made up his mind that money could
accomplish all things. No doubt Duluth
has acted upon that principle from the COM
menccment of its career.
The socaled Bay of Superior is an ex-
panson of the St. Louis river about eight
miles in length, and from one to one and
one-half miles in width, and the debouchure
of the St. Louis river into Lake Superior,
takes place nearly opposite to the town OF
Superior. The st. Louis river forms the
boundary between the States of Wisconsin
and Minnesota, and the Bay of Superior and
the entry are common to both States, are
afforded to both places a common harbor of
unequaled advantages, large enough to ac-
commodate all the shipping of the lake, and
secure enough to shelter them in all wea-
theirs.
Bat Duluth was not satisfied in sharing
this natural harbor-with Superior. She not
only wanted to improve her harbor, but she
wanted to iniure her rival. Well knowing
that the great natural advantages of the lat
ter place, if improved, would utterly over
shadow those of Duluth, the leading spirits
of that town, used the plausible claim to
improve its harbor, as cloak to iniure and
destroy the harbor of Superior, and for that
purpose proceeded to cut canal through
the long narrow strip of sand lying between
the Bay and Lake Superior, known as Min
nesota Point. This canal in affordng to
the waters of the St. Louis river an outlet
into Lake Superior, more than three miles
nearer than the natural mouth of the river
had of course the effect of turning the cur
rent of the river through that canal, and to
such an extent was it turned, that on the
very day that the canal was opened the wa
ters on the bar at the entry (mou.h of the
rivcr) fell not less than one foot. Ofcourse
such a turning of the natural current and
channel of a navigable river IS utterly law
less. and an Injunction was obtained from
the United States Circuit Court to prohibit