Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-09-19

pewa and tributaries Dunn and Bar
ron the Chippewa. Red Cedar and Eau
Galla +; Burnett anu Polk the St Croix:
Douglas the St. Louis river and Supe-
rior harbor and Bayfield, and Ash
Land their beautiful harbors. rich
mines. quarries and Indian reservations.
This indifferent outline will suggest
the Importance of a greater freedom of
communication and advice between
the people and their representative.
So far have strivcn to understand
and faithfully and impartially repre-
sent and promote the various interests
Of my constituency, and truly reflect
the principles of the great and Clio
rious party in which | had MY politi-
cal birth and baptism.
The action Of this convention. and
the many Aattering expressions Of the
press, assure me that | have reasonably
satisfied public expectation. [ give
you my record during this brief service
as my pledge for such future as may
await me, with the hope that expert,
cnce may add strength and efficiency
to my endcavors. Against the charge
that [ have acted for local and person
al gain. i place the record which dis
closes that the river and harbor act
serves tho eastern part of the district
with $4,000 to improve the Menomi-
nee harbor and $50, eco for the Har-
Dor OF Refuge at the mouth of the
Sturgeon Bay canal, now being com
pletcd the central and southern por-
tion by provision for the survey OF
the head-waters of the St. Croix, Chip
bewa and Wisconsin rivers, to deter
mine the feasibility of creating reser-
yolrs for the improvement OF naviga-
ton, $40, 600 having been allotted for
such purpose and is now being expend-
ed; the western portion gets $40. 900
to complete the jjetties and wing dams
at the mouth Of the Chippewa river,
and $50, 600 to improve the St. Croix
river, both Of which works are being
vigorously pushed !; the northern por-
ton has $4,000 to improve the natural
inlet to Superior uarbor the main
harbor getting 100000. TO this may
be added provision for continuing the
work OH the Fox and Wisconsin rivers
"a portion of which is located at Mar
quet,o county But the reservoir
scheme is instanccd as a personal one,
while in truth it is the most unselfsh.
broad and catholic measure, and if sue
cessful will prove the most general and
extended IN its benefits of any river
improvement ever yet undertaken.
For the construction of these rescr-
yoirs an adequate appropriation should
be secured at the next session of Con-
gress, so that the works may be COM
menced next spring and completed as
soon rs practicable. Cheap Transport
tatlon is the great problem and chief
necessity Of the day. To promote this,
a judieious and well appointed system
of internal improvements by the gen
eral government, under its power to
regulate commerce. will accomplish
much. The only protection for the
people against corporate eXtortion and
monopoly in the carrying trade is to be
had by the thorough improvement and
Of our free navigable waters,
and an equitable regulation of the in
ter state commerce upon railroads.
To accomplish this, my best endcavors
shall be given, whether in or outside
the national council chamber The
river and harbor bin under which we
have secured orr various appropriations
for river improvements, has been Sc
yerely criticised and condemned by the
press in some localities, mainly, how
ever, in the large cities which annually
receive millions from the United States
treasury for the construction of marble
and granite custom houses and post
offices Every dollar appropriated by
this act is based upon estimates and
Of the engineer de-
partmcnt. with full statement of facts
accompanying. And despite all criti-
cism, | believe it to be wise measure,
rejecting credit upon the committee
which formulated and reported it, and
beneicent and universal in its applica-
ton and operation. In view Of the
fact that the 4tth Congress at its sec,
ond session, failed to make any appro-
priation for such purposes, the sum
appropriated, about million dollars,
IS not excessive, and is less than 80
per cent. the amount of the estimates
for work demanded.
Gentlemen In rendering to you an
account of my stewardship, [ desire
to say generally, that in the discharge
os my official dulles [ have been gov
erned by my best light and Judgment.
The RECOMMENDATION of silver had my
hearty support [ opposed the abso-
lutte repleal of the resumption act, but
favored such a modification of it as to
prohibit the retirement and cancella-
ton Of Greenbacks, make them receiv-
able for duties on imports, and make
them eXchangeable for standard coin,
gold and silver, at par. | resisted the
dtteuipteu dtSluIudHce VI our revenue
system, especially the reduction of tax
on tobacco and whiskey, which must
be made upon the necessities of life.
The Wood tariff bill provided for the
reduction of the tariff on lumber of
one dollar per thousand feet. which
would rob this district in that product
alone, Of one million dollars annually,
mainly falling upon the laborers in our
mills and forests. This measure had
my most determined opposition. l
voted against and shall ever oppose all