Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1872-07-12
Wisconsin River Improvement
Encouraging Progress.

Accounts from the government
work on the Wisconsin River are very
encouraging. We have in our posses
sion private letters not intended for
publication, which show the result of
the present plan of operations is sue
eeeding beyond all expectations. The
system of wing dams, which by many
was considered doubtful experiment,
under the superintendence of Capt
Nader, u. s. Engineer, has already
justified the predictions of its pro-
jectors, and demonstrated the scienti-
fc and practical qualifications Of the
Engineers The steamer Winneconne,
which draws three feet, three inches
of water will soon, wnen the water
reaches the lowest stage, make the trip
between Portage and the Mississippi.
A Channel fully three feet deep at the
lowest stage of water will be secured the
present season. There will be no
difficulty another season in making
a five to six foot channel the whole
length of the Wisconsin River below
Portage. Even the three foot channel
in the Wisconsin will make the
through route passable from Prairie
du CHEN to Green Bay, allowing that
we shall have the same depth Of channel
in the Fox River So that we may now
call the Improvement a success, with
the understanding that the government
shall lay out annually reasonable sum
to continue and keep in repair the
work. The highest estimate for the
completion of the dams and improve
ments on the Wisconsin River is stated
at only $780, which is much be-
low the original estimate.
There can be but little doubt that
Congress will make the necessary ap-
preparations for the purpose proUi-
ded, our members from this State unite
as heretofore in pressing the matter on
its attention. At the session just closed,
it will be remembered that through
the efforts of Mr.. Sawyer, acting chair
man of the committee on Commerce,
supported by our whole delegation, an
appropriation Of $145, 900 was made
r for the purchase by the government
Of the franchises Of the Green Bay and
Mississippi Canal Company,in accor-
dance with the award of the commits
sioner or arbitrators. Although the
amount is considered too small by
said company, yet we are informed by
the Vice President that it will be ac-
cepted and the work turned over to the
officers of the government. A contin
gent appropriation was secured by Mr..
Sawyer, of some $4,000 for tempo
rary expenses of surveys and manage
ment. The transfer will soon be
made, and the work placed in charge
Of the Engineer Department of the
government, which will regulate and
collect all tolls, and keep the works in
repair.
So quietly, yet so effectually, was
this Improvement question managed in
Congress, that there is danger ofover-
looking the fact, that others have been
talking and complaining and fault-find-
ing, our member has been at work
getting the matter into shape, placing
it in the hands of the proper commit
tee, removing obstacles and objections,
illustrate ting its Importance as nation
al work, securing the action and CO.
operation of its, friends and the inactions
Of its rivals and opponents. Two years
ago the same projectmet with strenuous
opposition from Illinois and other
States AZ the last session the appro-
priation for the purchase Of the
work passed with scarcely word of
protest. This is accounted for from the
TACT that Mr.. Sawyer, Mr.. Hazelton,
Senator Howe, and others had by their
unwearied and constant efforts pre-
pared the way and cleared the track.
Were it not that it might seem vain
glorious on the part of a resident of
Oshkosh, we should state what we
have often heard from the lips of many
members and visitors at Washington
during the last session Of Congress.
We should say that it is the uniform
and unanimous testimony of all that
the member from this district was a
tower Of strength. and that to his eff
forts more than to those of any other
man is due the result so far accom-
plished. This statement is but justice
to one whose whole heart has been enlist.
ed in the work, and whose peculiar abb
lities have been brought to bear to
secure It's success by inducing the Gov
eminent to take the bantling in charge.
TIE people only need to be informed of
the fact to render due appreciation of
the services performed.-7'he Oshkosh
Northeastern.