The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-01-18

to destroy the navigation, as the water
CONTINUES to pour through with unabated
I force. Had there been no interference on
the part ef the Secretary of War, there is
no douh@ that the injunction of the United
States curt against the canal would have
been made perpetual, and thus the trouble
ended
i The Legislature at its last session appro-
prated $40 900, and authorized me to take
such acton in this matter rs | should deem
advisable. Learning that the engineer in
charge bad for some unaccountabe reason
changed his opinion as to the effect of the
opening of the canal; that h was now of
the opinion that the outflow Of water
through. the canal would not affect the
oriei. ;g,, t.ss.oe antfthat he had reported
tIts.ts y % ssf5erse.a v.-ettia bccouae
great tidal harbor if it had two openings
to let in the tides from the lake instead Of
one, | addressed letter to the Secretary of
! War, desiring him to appoint an engineer
to be associated with one to be employed
! By me, to examine and determine the fol-
lowing questions:
! 1st. Has the surface of the water in the
bay Of Superior been lowered permanently
since the opening the canal across Mime
sofa Point?
| ID. Has there been any change in the
bottom Of the Bay, or through the channel
entry into the lake since the opening Of the
canal
! | also requested that careful measure
ments and soundings on the outer or lake
! side Of Minnesota Point be made, and the
same 50 plated or laid down as to show
any change in the position Of the shore or
depth OF water since the soundings were
made In 1861.
The secretary promptly acceded to my
request, and detailed Col d. c. Houston
! for that purpose, and | employed to assist
him and verify his observations, w. II.
/ Newton, Esq, very competent civil engi-
neer, and for many years residing at Supe-
ror, but at present a resident OF Minnesota.
In the month of July, the work was en-
tered upon and has been prosecuted with
great care, and the results will be found
embodied in the report of NJ. Newton,
/ which will be laid before you, together with
q very complete map showing the whole
| situation. This survey demonstrates: That
! the water III the bay has been permanently
! lowered one foot since the opening of the
canal; that the channel has undergone
/ great changes in many places, having been
shoaled up five to SIX feet, and in some in
stances much more. The surveys outside
of Minnesota Point show, that since the
canal was opened, great change has taken
place there, which if II progresses will final
! ly wear that point entirely away. Obser
vatiOTs fyAgegarG to Lae tlaG, Ii;gtie iii shc
most careful manner for over thirty lays,
failed to discern an oscillation exceeding
one inch, and utterly dIspel the idea Of a
! tidal harbor.
! For the purpose of vindicating the rights
/ Of tI,a I
| of Madison, and Hon. II. n. Setter, of SUI
perior, to bring suit in the name of the
State, to secure the removal Of the dyke and
the closing up Of the canal.
A suit for the removal of the dyke was
brought in the Circuit Court Of Minnesota,
/ and on a hearing Of a motion for an injunc
ton, the question Of the jurisdiction OF the
courts was raised by the defendants, which
was sustained by the court, Mr.. Justice
! Miller presiding. The Court having held
that the Supreme Court alone had .jurisdlc-
ton, bin was fled in that court in Octo-
Der, and rule taken against the defend
ants-the city of Dnluth, Sidney Luce,
MAYOR, and the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company, to plead within ninety days.
At the hearing, there can be but little
doubt that the nuisance Of the dyke will be
ordered to be abated, when other proceed
ings will be taken to close up the canal.
The folly Of attempting to war with the
| Almighty, and to create safe harbor
where nature has interposed almost lnsu-
perable Obstacles has been recently made
manifest. and it Is quite likely that the pro-
iect will be abandoned The attempt to
destroy the harbor of Superior, if not aban-
doned, is pretty sure to "return to plague
the inventors"
The wanton and reckless expenditure Of
the money of any corporation in private
schemes has never strengthened the credit
of the corporation, and when persisted IN,
always leads to but one result.
! The recent change in the management of
/ the North Pacific Railroad Company is a
favorable omen, and there is good reason
/ to believe that there will be a change of
policy, so that it will be controlled in the
! interests Of the stockholders and the public
On the 18th day of November, storm
/ visited Lake Superior, of great force,
though similar ones are not uncommon
/ Its effect is described to me in the follow
| ing language by gentleman residing nei
/ ther at Duluth or Superior, and whose tes-
timony have no doubt is perfectly fair and
! ldisintereSted.
~ Dayueld, lltle or no damage was
! done, and tugs and other boats were unin-
iured. At Ashland, the damage was tri-
/ fling; & few scows We're driven ashore, and
the docks slightly injured. At Marquette,
| understand, the damage was serious, but
4 have not learned to what extent, nor in
what it consisted. At Superior, there was
no damage; the piers at the entry are, |
learn, uniniured. But Duluth has suffered
seriously The breakwater is worse than
gone, much Of it taken clear out, including
! that portion nearest the shore and nrotect-