, 1873-01-12

DULUTH.
In his recent message to the Legislature, Gov:
ernor Washburn, Of Wisconsin, refers ut length
| to Superior Harbor, and the efforts which have
been mado to destroy it's natural advantages il
tho interest Of Duluth. He holds that Supe.
rior Bay is the only natural harbor on Lake Su-
sperior west OF bayfield,, and, in support Of it,
quotes from tho various reports Of Colonel
Wheeler, Of the United states Engineer Corps,
made in 1868; of General Lewis Cass, who CT
plored this region under Government instructions
in 1890 of Captain field, Of the British Hydro
| graphic Service, who mado q chart in 1928 !;
aud General George G. Meade, who
made minute survey in 1861. All
| these gentlemen were agreed that Superior
Bay WAS the only Eafo harbor thht could be found
near the head Of Lake Superior, aud that the
plateau OF land bordering upon this bay was the
| only eligible sito for q city within long dis
tance either way. The expectations founded
upon these facts hayo been disappointed, Gov
ernor Washburn says, because the railroad COM
munications NTH the Mississippi Valley hare
combined with the efforts Of individual capital
lists who were interested in them to establish
city upon the precipitous and rocky cliff ut the
extreme westerly end Of Lake Superior. point
entirely destitute Of any harbor, and exposed to
the northwest gales with their uninterrupted
sweep OF 400 miles" This 10 Duluth.
II there had bean simply business rivalry
between Wisconsin and Minnesota, it is not
probable that Governor Washburn and the State
authorities would hare gcue to the courts to find
& remedy. But the railway companies and the
capitalists at their back, he sayB, went to work
to destroy the natural harbor at Superior by
changing the course Of the st. Louis River,
which formed tho harbor, causing it to empty
through canal into the lake at q point sir miles
west. A suit was brought in tho United States
Court, under the auspices Of the State Govern
ment of Wisconsin, to enjoin the City OF Duluth
and all persons from opening this canal. Judge
Miller granted the Injunction, but intimated thatit
might be dissolved if the persons defending
should construct dyke to arrest tho flow of
water through the canal. The City OF Duluth
gave bond Of a10o, 600 to construct such dyke
before Dec. 1, 1871, and United States Engi-
neer certified, in March or April Last, that it had
been completed in accordance with the require
ments~ A month from that time, q section, 500
feet long, was swept away, "allowing the St.
Louis River" says Governor Washburn, "to
pour through it at the rate OF six miles al
hour" But if the dyke did not stop the flow Of
the water, which was tho original cause Of COM
plant, it provided another causo Of COM
plant By cutting of the navigation Of the
canal, which was the only mems of communi-
cation between Superior and Duluth, the terni- |
nus OF tito railroad. Governor Washburn
blames the Secretary Of War for his interior
ence, as be believes that the injunction againEt
the opening Of tho canal would hare been made
perpetual it the Secretary aal not accepted an
imperfect dyke, which could in no case prevent
the flow Of water.
During the month Of July last, Colonel D. C. !
Houston, appointed by the Secretary Of War,
and Y. H. Newton, an engineer selected By
Governor Washburn, made careful measure
ments and soundinse at Superior, and found that
tho water in the bag had been permanently
lowered one foot since the opsning Of the
canal, and that the channel at the mouth Of
the river has been shoaled up seriously. They !
also found that there is no opportunity. for a
tidal harbor, as there IL no: tide there. Upon /
the strength OF this report, q suit for the -re-
movA OF the dyke was brought in tho United |
States Circuit Court OF Minnesota; but, it being
held that this Court had no Jurisdiction, it was
transferred to the United States Supreme Court,
where it has not yet been reached. Tho points |
made on the part Of the State are: ]. That the |
dyke obstructs the navigation Of Al important |
part Of the st. Louis River; 2. That it is an inra
sion Of the sovereignty Of the stateof WISCONSIN;
md, 8. That the State Of Wisconsin owns largo |
amount OF lands in tho vicinity, the galue |
Of which is materially deprecated by the OBJ
structions and invasions set forth. Governor
Wsshburn expresses the opinion that there can
bo little doubt that tho DYKE which he calla t
nuisance, will be ordered to be sbated; and he
that then proceedings will be taken
to close up the canal. He disposes Of the claims !
Of Duluth in the following summary manner:
'' The folly Of attempting to war will, the Al /
mighty, aud to create safo harbor 7shese Nature
l. ta~,oaoj ,1r,,s4 II .1.4.,J., 1.r |