Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-06-12

such line under the constitutional
power to regulate commerce among
the several States; and that the crea-
ton of fictitious stocks By railways
calls for restraining legislation. ~
denounced the practice Of executive,
judicial and legislative officers ac-
,ppting favors from transportation
companies. 1t asked investigation
| into the practicability Of cheapening
! TRANSPORTATION, through the inaugu-
ration Of system OF narrOw-guage
railways, and discussed the question
Of the feasibility OF tram railways
ON common highway. 1t resolved
10 promote timber planting ana
growing throughout the prairie dis-
trict5 OF the country. On the subject
OF increased facilities in the way OF
water communication the Congress
called special attention to the follow
ing routes: The Niagara Ship Canal;
the Caughnawaga and Champlain
Canal route from the st. Lawrence to
New York; the Fox River Canal, OF
Wisconsin; the James River and
Kanawha through line; the Illinois
and Michigan Canal and Illinois XIV.
or improvement; the Atlantic ana
Great Western Canal, and the Mis-
,issippi and Appalachicola canal a.
long the Gulf coast
While there IL much TO commend
in the action Of this body we cannot
speak of it with unqualified apprOba-
ton. 1T is evident that the working
force Of the Congress came from To-
caIities interested in the great South
ern Canal projects. The adjourn
ment To Atlanta, for the next meet
ing, is some proof Of this. The Nj
agara, Wisconsin and Illinois Canals
were avorably mentioned, 1t Is true,
but the resolutions contained an un-
qualified demand that Congress shall
undertake the construction OF the
canal across Virginia, and the slack
water and canal Improvement from
the mouth Of the Tennessee to the
Atlantic. These two projects alone
involve an outlay Of over hundred
millions, and their feasibility and
advantages viewed in connection
with such an expenditure, are not
vet satisfactorily determined. But
while schemes Of such enormous
magnitude were unhesitatlngly en-
dorsed. this Congress failed to recOg
nize the duty Of expanding six mil
lions for Ship Canal at the mouth
of the Mississippi river, which would
be of immediate advantage to one
quarter Of the present commerce OF
the country. Over the necessity and
propriety Of this Improvement not
doubt impends, in the mind Of any
man who has examined the subject,
and yet this Agricultural Congress
ignored the one project Of most press
ing interest to the millions who in
habit the Mississippi and tributary
valleys. If this was an inadvertence
it was Il most singular one; il design,
il was an amazing blunder.
But we are not opposed to any con-
vention to consider these important
subjects, even though they may be
drawn into partial recommendations.
They direct attention to the necessi-
ty Of opening up water lines for the
purpose Of cheapening transportation
and as check upon railroad monop-
oily. Let them be held, and the more
the better. The final decision as to
what shall be done will rest upon
figures, aud the cheapest and most
meritorious projects will be aided
first. The others will he closely scru-
tinized, and If found practicable, will
likewise receive favorable attention.
Davenport gazette, June 4.