Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-04-03
Cheap transportation.

AT a recent convention held at Rock
Island, ILL.,, to consider the question OF
cheap transportation, addresses were de-
livered by x-Lieutenant- Governor VIM
Bross and Mr. J. G. Dore, of Chicago, and
other gentlemen, after which the follow.
ing resolutions were proposed, debated
and adopted:
WHEREAS The question of cheapening the cos,
of transportation of the products OF the country
has come to be considered and is now universally
regarded both by the producers and consumers
as second to no other question before the people
and,
! WHEREAS, This convention, composed of repre-
sentatives from the agricultural, mercantile ano
manufacturing interests of the Northwestern
States, has been convened to consider this lmpor
tant question therefore.
Resolved, 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 it by the Constltu
ton, should declare its purpose to assume such
supervision and control over an branches on etgr YER
whole country relief from all unnecessary burdens
imposed, either by existing monopolies or by those
cost
Resolyed, That the expression of popular opinion
heretofore given, demanding completed commu-
nication by canal between the waters of the upper
Mississippi River, the Illinois River, and
the lakes, as those expressions were severally
made at the conventions of 1866, held at Geneseo
on record by the respective memorialists to Con-
gress of the Tenth General Assembly Of Iowa, the
Legislature of Illinois, the City Councils OF Daven
port and Rock Island, and other cities IN Iowa and
Illinois, ought not to have remained unnoticed and
neglected SO long by the National Government,
and should now be promptly considered, respected
and complied with.
ResoEved That in the Judgment of this conven
ton the construction of canal of sufficient ca
pacity for commercial purposes from the Missis-
sippi River at or above Rock Island to the illinois
River at or near Hennepin would tend more
effectually 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 imperatively demanded by the ne
cessites of the producer of the Northwest as well
as the consumer in the Eastern States or In foreign
lands -
Reso,yed 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 the completion OF which VIII
not involve an expenditure disproportio nate
to the prospective benefits, among which
of the Mississippi and the Illinois Rivers, and the
control by the General Government of the railroads
engaged In Interstate traffic.
nois that they cede to the General Governmentthe
entire control of the Illinois q Michigan Canal and
the Illinois River to be improved and forever
maintained as navgable hlgnwaysa Tor ans
order to secure prompt and efficient action Dy the
General Government in prosecuting the work es-
pecially indicated by this convention.
ResoIUed, That this convention appoint COM
mittee of thirteen whose duty it shall be to me-
morialize Congress in accordance with the views
expressed in the foregoing resolutions.
ResoEUed, That the bill now pending before Con-
grees introduced by the Hon. j. b. Hawiey, 10
provide for the construction of q canal CONNECTING
fhe waters of Lake Michigan, the Illinois, Misss
eippi and Rock Rivers, meets with our nearly
approval; and we cheerfully unite in recommend
ing our Senators and Representatives In Congress
to use their influence to aid In the passage OF this
act.
Resolred, That for the purpose of securing water
competition to the Eeaboard, as well as competi-
ton with corporate monopolies, we are in favor OF
the speedy Improvement of the Mississippi River;
and the construction, If necessary, of ship canal
at its mouth.
The committee to memorialize Con-
gress is composed of the following-named
gentlemen: James M. Allan, of Geneseo;
Waldo NJ. Potter, of Davenport; Calvin
D. Truesdale, of Rock Island; Charles
Atkinson, of Moline; L. d. Whiting, OF
Tiskilwa; James L. Camp, of Dixon; w.
FL. Wells, of Peoria; f. D. Brewster, OF
Peru; William Reddick, of Ottawa; John
Mahen, of Muscatine; A. B. Smedley,. OF
Cresco, and D. B. Sears, of Rock Island.