The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-03-04

orob;ves of the French national capital
manuscript accounts of our early voyageurs
who discovered this river, and we have
granted them an appropriation Of $4,000
for that purpose Now, when we ask a
small appropriation 10 improve the navi-
CATION Of this beautiful river, will the gen;
tlemen of elegant culture deny us so small
favor for the improvement of this ex
ceedingly important navigation, when II
has not had any since 1870, although every
year it has been recommended ana espe-
cially urged upon Congress Delay o1ly
increases the amount 10 be eXpehueu
hereafter. n.n c....
| If III;1ois has within the last year cut
| down the limestone rim OF the basin OF
Lake Michigan, so as to let the pure cold
water of the lake flow into this river TO as
sist its navigation. The State has placed
in its constitution a provision for the ex-
penditure of the revenues of the canal for
its extension and the improvement of the
river, and at this very time there is before
the Legislature a proposition to expend
nearly half million dollars for that pur-
pose. In the Thirty-Seventh Congress the
Committee on Roads and Canals reported
unanimously in favor OF improving this
river and the enlargement of the Illinois
and Michigan canal. | quote from that
report
trrhe valuc OF this work In a commercial point Of
view can scarcely be exaggerated, and Its value will
he constantly increasing with the progress OF our
country in population, agriculture, commerce. and
manufactures. IL Is believed that this may now be
, 1 properly characterized military, commercial
and political necessity twill benefit every section
To New England II will lesson the price Of food e
fxtgii1 friya
trade and commerce; and TO the West 1t will cheap
en- every article OF domestic or foreign manuincfure
It will bind stil closer the lakes and the valley
( the Miss4sippi aud make the East and the Yves
one in destiny forever. II would save the North
west in single year like the past, in lessening tn
cost of transportation Of It's staples, more than y
4 10 the taxable property OF the nation an amount IN
= taxes upon which under the pending tax bill woul
a mOrp than nav the interest on It's cost. The con
mlttee for these and other reasons earnestly recon
i mend the measure TO the favorable action OF ID
le House"
The State of Illinois has expended upo
rs this work $3,0OO,0OO within the last tire
e wears, and all we ask is this small apprOpri
m alton 10 clean out bars in the lower part o
p the river in order to make it the best nav
at igable stream in the United States. l
lie has been said that the gods help thos
e. who help themselves trust the mem
or bers of this House will in their action FOL
in low maxim so true.
il Mr.. Couger. Fey the purpose OF remoy
lg ing sand. bars in the illinois river the com
ms mittee agreed TO report s25,0OO IN IN
d. original bill, and then on recommendation
h of the gentleman who has just spoken
IN who did not think that was enough, tn
,pi committee put in $4,000 more to remov
Vi those sand bars, which with the machiI
he cry now on the river, the committe
rs thought to be sufficient for this year [
t; course the appropriation must be renewe
IN for that purpose from year to year beeaus
nd the sand bars keep forming. l now de
10, mand a vote
nd The House divided and there were
d. ayes -, noes CO.
to Mr. Sawyer demanded tellers.
nd Tellers were not ordered.
n So the amendment was agreed TO-