Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-04-02
Cheap transportation.

A convention was recently held at Rock
Island, Ill, TO consider the question of
cheap transportation, at which addresses
were delivered by ex- Lieutenant Governor
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 cheapenng 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,
AZ second 10 no other question before the people;
and,
WHEREAS, This convention, composed Of repre-
sentaiiyes from the agricultural, mercantile and
manufacturing interests Of the Northwestern
States, has been convened 10 consider this impor-
tant question; therefore,
Rss0tped That we believe the time has come
when the Government OF the United States, In the
discharge of Its duties te Hire people, under The
power expressly conferred upon II by the Consttu-
lion, 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 monopolies or by those
that may be established, with comparatively little
cost
Resosped, 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, az those expressions were severally
made at the conventions OF 1855, held at Geneseo
|
| record by the respective memoriasts 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 In Iowa and
Illinois, ought not to have remained unpoticed and
1 neglected 40 long by the National Government
and should now be promptly considered. respected
| and complied with
ResoIued, That in the judgment OF this conven
| ton the construction Of canal Of suficien
capacity for commercial purposes from thu
Mississippi River at or above Rock Island TO In,
| pnts Diver nj natt,, nm.
| more efectually to the solution Of the question o.
| cheap transportation for those States bordering
upon the Mississippi River above Rock Island than
| any projected work involving a similar amount d
| money, and Ii imperatiyely demanded by the ne
cessites OF the producer Of the Northwest az wei
the consumer in the Eastern States or In foreign
| lands.
Resotped, That while this convention especial,
indorse and urge upon the attention of she United
| States Government the construction OF the worl
herein named, we would also urge upon II any ant
all inter State improvements that are feasible, ant
the completion OF which will not involve ex
penditurc disproportionate to the prospective ben
ehts, among which we recognize as prominent tn,
Improvement Of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers
and the control by the General Government Of tn,
railroads engaged In interstate traffic.
Resotred, That we urge upon the people OF I'LL
nois that they cede TO the General Government the
entire control OF the Illinois Michigan Canal ant
| the Illinois River TO be improved and forever
maintained as navigable highways for the benefit
OF the nation provided this should be necessary II
order to secure prompt and efficient action by tbs
General Government in prosecuting the work es
pecally Indicated by this convention.
Resotoed, That this convention appoint com
mittee OF thirteen whose duty II shall be to me
morialize Congress In accordance with the views
expressed In the foregoing resolutions.
| Resolved, That the bill now pending before Con
gress, introduced by the Hon. j. B. Hawley to
provide for the construction Of 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 use their influence To aid in the passage OF tht
| act
Resolved, That for the purpose OF securing water
competition 70 the seaboard, well as competition
with corporate monopolies, we in favor Of the
speedy Improvement Of the Mississippi River anc
the construction, II necessary, OF ship canal at II,
1 mouth.
The committee 10 memorabilia Congress.
| is composed of the following-named gen
tlemen: James nj. Allan, Geneseo; Waldo
M. Potter, of Davenport; Calvin ID. Trues
dale, of Rock Island; Charles Atkinson
of Moline; L. ID. Whiting, of Tiskilwa
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 ID
Is. Sears, of Rock Island.