Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-10-23
The Wisconsis River I'm
proVement.
Letter from Hon. II. S. Magoon
on the Subject.
He Favors the enterprise.

in, as to my views upon the subject of
the Wisconsin Rifer Improvements
As I hope soon to address the people,
personally, on this subject, it will not
be expected that any elaborate state
ment should now be made; but, simply
such clear and candid exposition of my
views and purposes respecting this
enterprise, as can be made in brief com
pass.
First. The improvement of the Wis.
consin and Fox rivers SO as to secure
a safe, speedy and commodious transit
for boats drawing FIVE feet, during the
whole navigable season every year,
has my approval, and will receive all
the encouragement and aid that l can
command: IF elected, it will be my
endeavor to further energetically, this
Improvement to a practical and perma.
nent completion.
What shall be a pPrmapent Impro Ve-
ment, and the safest method, is ques-
lion which, it occurslo me,s can be best
determined by board Of experienced
assisted by gentlemen along
the River, who have given the subject
especial study. The report Of Gen.
G. K. Warren, who.under instructions
from the SECRETARY of War, surveyed..the
Fox and Wisconsin, in 1866 and 1867,
recommends, particularly, what he de-
signates as his "Third Plan" To i'm
prove the Wisconsin river, his first
plan is merely to make the stream itself
the object of all improvement by using
wing-dams and scra pers. His second
plan is to have 27 miles channel in
river and 80 miles of canal. His "Third
Plan, which plan is the only one Gen
eral Warren, Oct. 81, 1858, urges to be
adopted, is to construct a canal, secur-
ing FIVE feet navigation, at low water,
from Portage to Prairie du Chen,
a distance Of l1s miles; the canal to be
70 feet wide at the bottom, 80 feet
wide at the top, the sides of the canal
to be paved; and the estimated cost,
$4,164.270. This plan, approved by
all well-posted men along the river wi tn
whom have conversed,and by the en-.
gineers, as the best yet suggested, will
secure permanently navigable transit
for boats drawing FIVE feet, from
Portage to the Mississippi, at Prairie
du CHEN, distance of 1ls miles; and,
when completed, together with sim
liar Improvement from the Portage.
100 miles northeast to Green Bay, will,
[ believe, be ofincalculable advantage
to. the farmers and other producers, mot
only of this District, but of almost the
whole State and of the Northwest.
That continuous canal from Prairie
du CHEN to Green Bay, a distance of
27s miles,is the best and the only per-
manent plan of Improvement, is admit
ted. The aggregate expense it is sta
ted, would be less than $4,000, O00,-
to make it complete, substantial, per-
manent, with five feet of navigation
throughout. The water supply is abun-
dant and inexhanstible. This plan is,
I believe, not only approved by your-
self, well acquainted with the whole sub
ject, but was, in effect, the plan adop-
ted and recommended by the very able
conventions on this Improvement, held
at Prairie du Chen Nov. 10,lsB8,and
at Portage City, Oct. 20, 1869. It is,
also, recommended by others, among
the ablest,and most experienced gentle
men, who have given the subject spe-
cial study. Therefore, not in the least
disparaging what has already been
done by the general Government TO
improve the Wisconsin, to cast
any reflection on the ability or eficien-
cy of those who have now the work in
charge, yet, the question suggests H.
self, why cannot the best possible plan
be adopted, and be at once pursued, land
With proper government aid, be ener-
getically pushed to completionP Why
should not the Wisconsin delegation in
Congress press unitedly together at
Washington, to hasten forward the re-
allzasion of this nationally important
enterpise7 Why, should not I. if cleo
ted, DO every thing in my power to
properly represent the people of this
District ON SO vital a question; and, on
the floor of the House, demand, in the
name of the people of the Northwest,
the earnest attention and the immedi-
ate efficient aid of Congress to consum.
mate this work. ~
Secondly. But it may be suggested,
that, not outstanding its vast advanta-
ges, the expense of this enterprise
should deter me from favoring it.
Now, wheather elected or not, Il propose
to examine this and all other CUES.
tons, candidly and fairly. Tam in ia.
vor of strict economy in every ex-
penditure out of the National Treasu-
ry. Not knowingly will [ ever favor
or fail to oppose, any mere job or hol-
low scheme to take one dollar from
the public funds. | believe in strict
official accountability. / know that
integrity and downright honest are jus,
as essential in public servants, now as
intellectual power and craftsmanship.
| know, that Right and Principle and
Duty are higher than any temporary
success, or any mere position whether
in Congress or out of it; and that THEY
and not the mere lure of Office, should
be the perpetual standard and arbiters
of public functions. Frankly, there.
fore, if my study Of this subject had
done otherwise than convince me ofboth
its feasibility and Importance, of both
its ultimate economy and necessity, the
improvement would have, if elected, nc
snnnorter In me. But. look snnarel,