Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-04-02
Cheap Transportation.

AT the recent convention held at Rock
island, Ill, to consider the question of
cheap transportation, addresses were de-
ltyered by eX-IieutcnantGover VIM.
Bross AID Mr.. j c. Dore, of Chicago, and
other gentleman, after which the follow
ing resolutions were proposed, debated
and adopted:
WHEREAS, The question of cheapening the cost
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 reprc-
sentatlves from the agricultural, mercantile and
manufacturing interests of the Northwestern
States has bean convened to consider this impor-
tant questions therefore,
Resot0ed 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 Con-
etituuon, should declare its purpose to assume
such supervision and control over all branches of
inter State commerce as will secure to the people
OF the whole country relief from all unnecessary
burdens imposed either by existing monopolics or
Ivy those that may be established, with compare
lively little cost
ReS0tged, 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 seycrally
made at the conventions of 1868, held at Geneseo
and AT Rock Island, and as authortatively placed
on record by the respective memorlalsts to Con
| gress OF the Tenth General Assembly of Iowa the
Legislature of Illinois, the City Councils Of Daycu-
port and Rock Island and other cities in Iowa and
Illinois, ought not to have remained unnoticed and
neglected 30 long by the National Government,
and should now be promptly considered, respected
and complied with.
Resotg6d, That in the Judgment of this conven-
lion the construction of Il canal of sufficient
capacity for commercial purposes from the
Mississippi River at or above Rock Island to the
Illinois River at or near iIenhepin 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 imperatively demanded by the ne
cessitea OF The producer of the Northwest M well
as Inc consumer IN the Eastern States or In foreign
lands.
ResoiUed, 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 inter State improvements THAI are feasible,
and the completion OF which will not involve
| expenditure disproportionate to the prospective
| benehte. among which we recognize rs prominent
the Improvement OF the Mississippi and the Illi-
| nois Rivers, and the control by the General Gov
! eminent OF the railroads engaged In inter State
| uafic.
Resoigea That we urge upon the people of Iii
| noia that they cede 10 the General Government the
entire control OF the Illinois & Michigan Canal and
| The Illinois River to be improved and forever
maintained as navigable 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
! pecaly indicated by this convention.
| RosotJed, That this convention appoint com
mittee OF thirteen whose duty 1t shall be to me-
morialiZe Congress in accordance with the views
expressed In the foregoing resolutions.
! ReSoiped, That the bill now pending before Con
gres-, introduced by the Hon. J. u. Hawley, to
provide for the construction Of a canal connecting
the waters Of Lake Michigan the illinois, Missis-
sppi and Rock Rivers, meets with our hearty APP
proyal; and we chcerfully unite Ia recommend
ing our Senators aud Representatives In Congress
10 their influence To aid In the passage of this
act
Res0tUed That for the purpose OF securing
water competition 10 the seaboard, well
competition with corporate monopolies, we are In
favor OF the speedy improvement Of the hiHsis
spp River, and the construction, II necessary, of
a ship canal at its mouth
The committee to memorlaliZe Con
gress Is composed of the following named
gentlemen: James M. Allan, of Gcneseo;
Waldo M. Potter, of Davenport; Calvin
| d. Truesdale, of Rock Island; Charles
Atk inson, of Moline; L. ID. Whiting, Of
Tiskilwa James l.. Camp, of Dixon; W.
II. Wells, OF Peoria; r, ID. Brewster, of
| Peru; William Reddick of Ottawa; John
Mahen, of Muscatine A. b. Smedley, of
Cresco, and d. B. Sears, OF Rock Island.