Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-04-09
Cheap transportation.

convention was recently held at Rock
Island. Ill. TO consider the question of
chean Transportation, at which addresses
were delivered by ex-L ieutenantGovern
VIM. Bross and Mr.. j. G. Dore, OF Chi
cago. and other gentlemen, after which
the following resolutions were proposed,
debated and adopted:
WHEREAS. The question Of cheapcning the cost
of transportation OF the products OF the country
has come 10 be considered and is now universally
regarded, both by the PRODUCER and consumers,
az second to no other question before the people;
and,
WHEREAS, This convention. composed OF repre-.
sentatives from the agricultural, mercantile ana
manufacturing interests OF the Northwestern
States, has been convened TO CONSIDER tns impof-
taut question; therefore,
Resolred That we believe the time has come
when the Government Of the United States, in the
discharge OF its duties to the people, under the
power expressly conferred upon II by the Constitu-
tion should declare its purpose to assume such
supervision and control over all branches OF inter
State commerce viii secure 10 the people OF the
whole country relief from all unnecessary burdens
imposed, either by existing monopoles or by those
that may be established, with comparatively little
cost
RESOLVED, That the expression Of popular opin-
ion heretofore given, demanding completed
communication by canal between the waters OF the
upper Mississippi River, the Illinois River and
the lakes, as those expressions were seyerally
made at the conventions OF 1855, held at Geneseo
and al Rock Island and as authoriativelyp place on
record by tho respective memoriaists to Congress
Of the Tenth General Assembly Of Iowa, the Leg
islature Of Illinois, the City Councils OF Davenport
and Rock Island, and other cities 10 Iowa and
Illinois, ought moi TO have remained unnoiiced and
neglected so long by The National Government,
and should now be promptly considered, respected
and complied with.
RESOLVED, That IN the Judgment OF this conven-
ton the construction Of canal OF sufficient
capacity for commercial purposes from the
Mississippi River at or above Rock Island TO the
Illinois River at or near Hennepin would tend
more efectualy to the solution Of the question OF
cheap transportation for those States bordering
upon the Mississippi River above Rock Island than
any projected work involving similar amount OF
money, and is imperaiivey demanded by the ne
cessties Of tine producer Of the Northwest as well
az the consumer in the Eastern States or In foreign
lands
Resotced. That while this convention especially
indorse and urge upon the attention OF the United
States Government the construction OF the work
herein named, we would also urge upon II any and
all interstate improvements that are feasible, and
he completion Of which will not involve an ex-
penditure disproportionate TO the prospective ben
efts. among which we rec ognize MS prominent the
improvement Of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers,
and the control by the General Government OF the
railroads engaged In Interstate traffic.
Res0tDed, That we urge upon the people OF ILL
nois that they cede 10 the General Government the
entire control Of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and
maintained as nawgable highways for the benefit
OF the nation provided this should be necessary In
order to secure prompt and efficient action by the
General Government in prosecuting the work es-
pccially indicated by this convention.
Res0tped, That this convention appoint com
mittee Of thirteen whose duty ii shall be to me-
m0rialze Congress in accordance with the views
expressed in the foregoing resolutions.
ResOtoed, That the bill now pending before Con-
gress. introduced by the Hon. j. b. Hawley, to
provide for the construction OF a canal connecting
the waters OF Lake Michigan, the Illinois, Mssis-
sippi and Rock Rivers, meets with our hearty
approval; and we cheerfully unite in recommend
ing our Senators and Representatives In Congress
to their influence to aid in the passage of this
act.
Resoiged, That for the purpose Of securing water
competition 10 the seaboard, well as competition
with corporate monopolies we are in favor Of the
speedy improvement OF the Mississippi River, and
the construction # necessary, Of ship canal at its
mouth.
The committee to memorabilia Congress
is composed OF the encouragement gen.
tlemen: James M. Allan, Geneseo Waldo
M. Potter, OF Davenport; CALVIN d. Trues-
dale, of Rock Island; Charles Atkinson,
of Moline; l.. ID. Whiting, of IisKilwa I;
James L. Camp, Of Dixon; W. II. Wells,
of Peoria; +. ID. Brewster. OF Peru; VIM.
Reddick, of Ottawa; John Mahen, of Mus
catine; A. b. Smedley, of Cresco, and d.
b. Sears, of Rock Island.