The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-01-11
Illinois Great Water Thoroughfare,


Governor. The report covers the operations
of the Commissioners from May 1871 TO No
vember 1872. While it shows that the Chica-
GO deep cut, which retarded the opening of
navigation until July In 1871, is success in
the matter of furnishing steady and abuud-
ant supply of water for the canal, it also sh ows
that it was attended with good deal of extra
trouble and expense during the first year in
the way of securing the high banks and keep
ing the channel clear of debris. Nevertheless,
IN spite of these hindrances, and in spite, fur
ther, OF the fact that the low stage Of water
IN the illinois river during the summer Of 1877
virtually cut off all supply from the canals
great feeder, the tolls for the year were more
than sufficient to cover expenses During
1872 the same drawback Of low water in the
Illinois was again experienced, but the dam
at Henry had meantime been completed. and
the effect Of that important improvement upon
the tolls Of the canal were conspicuously APP
parent The tolls during the season Of 1872
are IN excess of any previous year, and al
pairs were again unusually heavy, (the old
board Of trustees having left the canal In
dllapdated conditlon) the Commissioners
had the satisfaction of paying over to the
state treasury a surplus Of trifie over $780,
O0O
The Commissioners most justly attach
great deal of Importance to the dam at Henry
and the matter OF the improvement of the IL
linois river generally. Though the Henry
dam is but first step in the great Improve
ment and naturally can be relied upon but lit
tie in the way of great results, the revenue
it added to the canal in its first season was
enough to pay the interest on its cost. The
Commissioners show that by the construction
Of a few more dams, at cost OF not over 81
100000, the Illinois canal would virtually be
heightened to $50 miles and would form
thoroughlare second in importance only to
the great Erie canal. To doub. that the leg
islature will proceed in the great work of i'm.
proving the river which it thus began by the
construction Of the Henry dam, with such
promising results, is to cast doubt upon
their good sense and possession OF ordinary
business sagacity.
The report is almost an anomaly in these
DAYS by showing the singular fidelity ana
scrupulous economy with which this great H.
terest, involving the handling and expendlt
ure of large sun Of money, has been admin-
istered by our Board Of Canal Commissioners
since their advent to office. The Commission
ers go out OF office with the inauguration OF
new governor, by whom the Commissioners
for the next term are to be appointed. In
these days when u general desire fox some
thing like civil service Ieiolm ueyades the
public mind, th,re is no doubt but the popu.
lar feeling on the subject would he fully met
by the Ie-appointment of Board that has
done 50 precminently well. The position is
one involving such an extended field of du-
ties, and depending so largely on experience,
knowledge OF details and business tact, that
change IN the Board and general superperin.
dence and management OF the canal would ne.
accompanied with at LEAST some untoward con.
sequences. The able management Of the
canal under the Board Of Trustees. with the
single objec. in view of paying the debt for
its construction, was owing unquestioaubly to
the pauci,y OF changes in the membership OF
the Boaid and now, with its vastly increased
duties and responsibilities, frequent change
in the Board OF Commissioners is still more ia
be dreaded.
The present board has been an accountable
one in several regards It's members are well
distributed to different parts o, the state, rem
resenting regions remotely as well as those
immediately affected by the canal 1t would
be unjust to the balance of the state that the
canal should be managed exclusively by those
Immediately on It's borders, and inclined TO
have cheap and quick transportation at the
EXPENSE OF its revenues; while it would he
equally unfortunate to have it controlled by
its enemies. The present board have struck
the happy mean between all parties in way
to give undivided satisfaction. The political
composition Of the present Board is also
very happy. While a majority Is justly given
to the party in power, democrat on the
Board like Mr.. HickoX is u judlcioGs restraint
on anything like indecent political par,inhty
On the part of his colleagues, while II. liick.
OK has yet been able to act so PLEASANTLY and
tremendously with his colleagues as to enjoy