The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-08-23

that would most nearly meet the require
ments OF the law. Several weeks were
spent In visiting the several competing
points. Many OF these were found to
possess some of the"prcrequistcs' men,
toned, in a high degree; but while this
was true the other OF these elements
were almost invariably found wanting
AZ length the commission have selected
Grand Tower in Jackson county rs more
nearly containing all these "prcrcqul
sites than any other point visited.
It's In Southern Illinois, Tits oieasy
access both by river and rail-convenltnt
both TO ST. Louis and Southern markets
To which the prison must look Tor pur-
chaScrs OF It's manufactured articles. IL
is in direct and speedy communication 0y
rail- with tho Cairo a st, Louis Ii, H.,
and the Illinois Central Railroad, which
with its connections, reaches every part
of the district prescribed by llo ,ct re-
terred to; the quantity OF both lure ana
sandstone of excellent quality, /, mex
haustiblc; it is above the highest water
known in the history OF the Mississippi
river; it is capable of thorough and cheap
drainage; the land required by the act can
be had at no cost to the state; and al
though a Southern Illinois Penitentiary,
is but little nearer the Southern bound
airy OF the State than the present state
prison at j Toilet is to the Northern bound
airy, and 1t Is safe to say that the cost OF
| transportation from 1t to st. Louis Will
bc:no greater than from Joliet to Chica-
20, If as great. 1t is in the midst of the
most heavily timbcred portion of the
State. Combining as il does SO many Of
the ''prcrcqulsites' required by tho bill,
the commission did not feel that lis all
| yantagcs could be disrcgardcd.
! But the commission Is not unSlppOri'
ed in its conclusions. On the 18Th page
! of the 3d volume OF the report OF the
geological survey of Illinois, published
in 1865, this point Is mentioned Tor the
excellence and incXhaustabc supply of
building stone for the manufacture OF
quick lime, and it is expressly referred
to "as a very desirable locality for the
establishment of extensive works for this
purpose"
The commission have also, since their
selection OF this site, seen the report OF
the legislative committee OF which the
Hon. James G. Wright, OF Du Page
county, n man well qualified for the
place, was chairman. In referring to the
question of q suitable site tor the South
ern Illinois penitentiary, after viewing
various sites. they say sat Grand Tow
er we were pleased TO find location in
every way desirable and ready for the
establishment OF a state prison.
Very respectfully,
john &. FONDA,
Y. ID, LAwRANCE,
ISAAC CLEMENTS.
Commissioners.
Springfield, H., August IL, 1877.
The governor, auditor and attorney
general, the approving board, have not
yet finally acted upon the matter OF loca-
ton, and the attorney general being alb
sent, it is probable that no conclusive ac-
ton will be taken, either by approving
the location or otherwise, until he returns
next Thursday. An impression obtain
ed that the commissioners would posi-
bly reconsider the matter OF location, at
Yesterdays session, but the preparation
and presentation OF their report, last
evening, rs taken reallrming the earlier
choice of Grand Tower.