The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-27
q Rock Island, Illinois, Monday. April 27, 1874

presented the report OF the committe on |
transportation routes and made lengthy |
speech in explanation and advocacy there
of.
Mr. Window said the committee have
come to the conclusion that no substantial
reduction ON the cost of transportation is
to be anticipated from nnregulated compe-
tition between existing railways, nor is
competition to be induced by authorizing
the construction of additional lines, if they
are to be under private management and
control As to the power of Congress un-
der the Constitution to regulate inter-
State commerce, the committee find:
l. That Congress, in its discretion and
its responsibility to the people, may first
prescribe rules by which instruments, ,vehi-
cles and agents engaged in Transporting
commodities from one State into and
through another, shall be governed, wheth-
er such transportation is by land or water.
2. That it may appropriate money for
| the construction OF railways or canals,
where the same shall be necessary for the
regulation of commerce,
| 3. That it may incorporate companies
with authority to construct them.
4. That it may exercise the right Of
eminent domain within State, in order
to provide for the construction of said rail
ways or canals; or,
5. 1t may, in the exercise of the right
of eminent domain, take for public use,
paying just compensation therefor, any
existing railway or canal owned by private
persons or corporations.
These propositions are discussed at
considerable length in the report
OF the committee, and the decisions OF
courts from which they are deduced are
there cited. After most careful consid-
Grafton of the merits of various proposed
; Improvements, taking into account the cost,
practicability, and probable advantages OF
each, the committee have come to the
unanimous conclusion thai the following
are the most feasible and advantageous
channels of commerce to be created or i'm
proved by the national government, if
Congress shall act upon this subject, name
ly:
l. The Mississippi river.
2. A continuous water line of adequate
. capacity, from the Mississippi river to the
city of New York, via the northern lakes
3. A route adequate to the wants o.
commerce, through the central tier o.
} States, from the Mississippi river, via the
Ohio and Kanawha rivers, to point il
} West Virginia, and thence by canal anC
I slackwater, OF by freight railway to tide
water.
|. f. A route from the Mississippi river
+ via the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, to F;
r point in Alabama or Tennessee, and theme
by canal and slack water, or by freigh
q railway to the ocean.
:, The committee estimate the cost of i'm
| nf ho Of
e 100000. OF the northern route, includin
the Fox and Wisconsin river canal, and tn
n Hennepin crnal, and the enlargement q
p the New York canals the cost is estimate
at SIS, 100000. Of the center rOute-ir
e Guiding the radical improvement Of tn
: Ohio river, to give six or seven feet of nav
e igation, at low water and of the kanawh;
J. river to give six or seven feet of water
IT $25, 100000; and connection by canal {
TO freight railway to tide water i'll Virgin;
: a canal to cost $4,000, 900, or a railroad
r. S25. .OO0,O 600. OF the southern route, in
to provement Of the Tennessee river to giN
y; three feet navigation, 5000, 900, and col
I'd struction of a canal or freight railway
&c the Atlantic ocean, at a cost respectivel
Il or $35, zoo, 900 or S30,000,000.
I'd If canals be constructed, the total co
n. be chosen, the total cost will be abo
s Sl20,O0O,0OO An actual expenditure
Of from $20,O00,0 900 to $25,O00, 900 per a
OF mum will be required for six years, VIII,
es the whole can be completed.
ce The resulting benefits will for all tiu
he annually more than repay the entire COZ
ny But am asked, how is the money to
Is raised for these Improvements reply:
By a system of rigid economy in all e
nd nenditures not absolutely necessary,
tor which nearly enough can be saved for ii
he purpose. 2. By the issue of public il
Ter provement bonds; or, 3. By taxation
er- the latter policy be adoped, | suggest tt
ne the restoration of the tax on tea and G.
fee will produce about $4,000, ,0UO per g
mt mum, which will be sufficient to compile
eo the entire work in six years. The rep,
ing of that tax has caused but little if al
"a reduction in the costs Of those articl
in aud its restoration would not materially
Inc crease it. AT the end of six years, the
le would be repealed, and these great put
lu- works would stand forever as monume
rio to the wisdom OF the present Congre
no, | do not believe, however that it would
Ter necessary either to issue bonds or to Il
Oh any additional taxes The inauguratio
OF the system of internal improvements III
Gated, would 50 stimulate the business
can ergies Of the country that we would fin'
the easier to raise the additional revenue
quired than it now is to meet existing
me legations.
city Mr.. Sherman moved that 1000 eS
hao coyies of the report be printed. Refer
the
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