, 1875-02-16

1nB Legislature OF uHn0l8, IN Apf1l+ 1878,
appropriated the net revenues Of tho Illinois
l. Michigan Canal for the construction Of
lock aud dam at the mouth of Copperas
Creek on tho Illinois River, tho whole cost Of
tho work not to exceed $3.50. 900. In October,
1874, 100000 Of these net revenues had ac-
cumulnted. The estimate for tho work was
Ss427,o0o. In the meantime Congress had
mnde an appropriation Of 100000 for the
improvement Of the Illinois River Upon rep
RESERVATIONS by the Governor and other State
authorities, portion Of this money was ex-
pended in building the foundations for the
lock at Copperas Creek. This expenditure
by the United States, and thu work done by
tho State Commissioners, has reduced the
amount necessary to be expended by the stato
to soGo,9t9. To meet this they have cnsh
on hand and estimated tolla for 1876
amounting to s1s9,S97, and application has
been made to the State to appropriate tho
difference, amounting to $s71 ,55a
A few days ago Springfield dispatch,
coming late at night, contained the argument
Of the minority Of tho Legislative Commit
tee in opposition to tho appropriation, and
the night-etlitor in charge Of the late news,
misunderstanding tho constitutional pro-
vision on this subject, inadvertently indorscd
this report. This subject Inns been 80 often
and SO thoroughly discussed in The TRIBUNE
that but few Of our renders could have been
'nisled by the brief paragraph in question.
Tho State Of Illinois has the capal and it has
the Illinois River. The design OF the canal
was to afford continuous navigation from the
lake to the Mississippi River, but, owing
to various causes, the river ceased
to be navigable but for short
timo each season, aud the canal ceased
to connect with tho river. To make either
available it waa found necessary to construct
locks and ,lama on tue river. One such lock
and dam has been constructed at Henry,
which has practically extended river naviga.
tion north to 1aSa1le, and securing an abun.
dant supply OF water at all seaaons. The con-
struotion Of the second lock and dam at Cop.
pesas Greek will be to secure this navigation
from point GO miles further south. All
that is required to complete it is 371, ,o00
Tho appropriation Is but IN advance OF one
years surplus earnings Of the canal. 4 few
years hence the other locks will secure per-
nanent steamboat navigation OH tho Illinois
River from March until December through
from, the lakes to the Mississippi, and thence
to the Ohio River and the extreme South
| The argument OF the minority TINT the ex
renditure is unconstitutional ia based upon
misapprehension Of the restriction Of the
Constitution, which reads:
The General Assembly shall nsvsr loan thu crsdt oi
tho state Or make appropriations from the Treasury
thereof In aid Of railroads eaHals: Frpufdta Thu
any surplus earnings Of my tana may bs appropriated
Tor its enlargement or extenaion.
This restriction il exclusively upon any ap.
preparations Ia aid Of railroads or canals.
The bill pending before the Legislature ist to
appropriate $7l 600 to improve the Illinois
River, aud is no mora an appropriation for
tho canal than ia the appropriation made last
session for the Wabash River. 1t IL true that
to improve tho Illinois River and make
It navigabie Ia to greatly benefit the
business Of tho canal and add to
it's revenues, aa it Is to benefit tho
people Of very large portion Of tho State ;
but M improvement Of tho river 90 a. to
make it navigable is not Unconstitutional
because Of its resulting beneAts. There Is
10 weight OF force In the constitutional
objection. What tho Constitution iutondst
was to prevent the Legislature engaging ii
any undertaking to enlarge the canal itself 81
a. to make 1t, at the expense Of tho State, ,
wide Btrra1n and the Constitution lin,,tet
any appropriation for that purpose to the ne
revenues derived from the canal. Tho syol
improvement, constitutionally, IL An indo
pondent work, and stands precisely on tAt
! Same ground that 1t would DO II thase vas,