The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-07
Our Canal,
In the Richmond convention, on the 4th
a telegraphic report says:

In the Richmond convention, on the 4th,
telegraphic report says:
Mr.. Ingersoll desired to withdraw his
substitute in view of compromise meas
ure that had been agreed upon.
Mr. Potter, of Iowa, then asked leave tc
withdraw his substitute, on condition tina,
Col. Cabell would present his compromise
He explained that he had been influenced
to offer his substitute, in the first instance
only by the fact that there was great doubt
whether the Rock Island and HennepiI
canal was included in the senate committee
resolutions, and he wanted definite in
dorsement of the great work by the con
vention
Col. Frobel, of Georgia, explained tha
he had drawn the original resolutions, witt
the distinct understanding that the Roci
Island and Hennepin canal was included II
the senate report but as there was doub
on this point he was entirely willing to in
clude this work.
After few explanatory remarks, Col
H. Cabell, OF Virginia. offered the follow
ing
Resolred. That In addition TO the lines of trans
portation recommended BY the United States scnat
ognizcs the proposed Rock Island canal, in tn
state Of Illinois. connecting the Miss ssippi rive
with the Illinois river and canal, and the chain o
Of water ways to the eeaboard as project OF grea
merit, promising materially to cheaper the cost U
transporting the grain of the Northwest to tn
markets of the world and we therefore respectful
urge upon congress the necessity OF the SPEEDY con
strucion Of the work.
Col. Cabell said that it was not at al
surprising that in great country like this,
,,t 81 -
appreciated the Rock Island and IIenne
pin canal; but he was sure that the able
arguments of the gentlemen from the
northwest had convinced every one that
this is one of the great national highways
that ought to be pushed to speedy com
pletion. The only wonder had been that
the state of Illinois had not completed
long ago, so important a work, until Mr.
Utley explained that there was an obstacle
in the state constitution. He thanked Mr.
Dore for his able argument, which settled
the constitutionality Of congressional ap
preparation, and proceeded to argue that,
although the recommendations Of this con-
vention require the expenditure Of at least
$3.50, 100000, yet the increased resources
of the country, resulting from these lines,
would more than pay the debt incurred.
He ably presented these points and insist
ed that, while Chicago is in a position to
be independent of New York, it was very
greatly interested in the lines which will
bring her in close contact with the cotton
and tobacco Of the south, for which she
can exchange her ''hog and hominy.'
Mr.. Hunter,of Virginia said that he had
become convinced that the Rock Island
canal comes within the purview of his con
stitutional theory, and he would therefore
vote for it.
COL Frobcl, as the representative of the
empire state of the south, desired cordially
to indore the Northwestern scheme.
Maj. Allan, Of Illinois, was called out, and
made an amusing and iorcible speech, in
which he said that the canal was really the
fastest mode of transportation, because il
could deliver more in given time than
the railroad only it did not make so much
fuss about it.
The chairman, Mr.. Henry, replied that
the difficulty was the freight trains had tc
give way for the gentleman from Hi
nois and his friends to dash by in the pas,
senger trains-.iust what was intended to
be avoided by the proposed double track
freight railroad.
Col. Little, Of Iowa, made a very huDor-
Gus aud able speech, in which he pointed
out the advantages Of this Rock Island and
Henncpin canal and said to the friends Of
the central line, If you will just help this
little canal of G5 miles through, We Of the
northwest will say to our representatives,
Go for what the southern people want.
Val S,I W. nj
mously adopted.
Iessrs Utley Of Illinois; Harris, of
Kentucky; Darlington, of Virginia; Pot.
ter, OF Iowa; Frobel OF Georgia aud
Josiah Quincy, of Massachusetts, were APP
pointed to present the memorial to con-
gress and Messrs Dore, OF Chicago;
Thurber, of New York; Potter, Of Iowa /;
and Dobbs, Of Buffalo, were designated to
make the petition to the New York legis-
lature