Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-02
BRIDGING DETROIT RIYER.
A Protest From Governor p i1lsbury-se
rotary McCrary's Reply.

A Protest From Governor Pi1lsbury-sec-
rotary McCrary's Reply.
At meeting of the chamber Of commerce
few weeks since tie joint resolution of
Congress, approved June 20, 1879, relating
to bridge across the Detroit river, at or
near Detroit, and providing for the APP
pointment of board of engineers to con-
vsne at that city to consider tho subject, was
discussed at length.
A protest was sent the secretary of war,
and the Governor was aisu asked to send
protest, which he did as follows:
STATE OF MINNESOTA, J :
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT., y Of.
st. Paul, Nov. II, 1879.
Hon. George W. McCrary, Secretary Of War,
Washington, D. Q.
SHIN compliance with resolutions of the
chamber of commerce of st. Paul, and pursu-
ant to my own convictions upon the subject,
beg leave. respectfully, but earnestly, to pro-
test against the construction of bridge across
tho Detroit river. as contemplated by the board
of engineers which understand are to meet in
Detroit on the 18th inst, for the consideration
of that and other matters.
I need scarcely state that the vast and grow
ing commercial interests of this State and of
the rapidly settling country north and west, de-
mand unObstructed navigation through the
great lakes and their connecting channels. 1t
IA indeed difficult to ex"ggerate the magnitude
Of these interests or the rapidity of their
growth. The annual wheat export of this
State alone exceeds twenty five millions bush
els, large proportion of which seeks water
transit to the seaboard by all the great lakes.
much larger proportion of the increasing
products of Dakota is dependent upon this
route alone for the means of reaching the mar
ket, while the transportation which will be re-
m 10 oo xn,sf h. .e
the agricultural and mineral resources of the
vast country drained by the Northern Pacific
railroad battles computation. .a..
An ample, unimpeded water communica-
ton must for long time be the
only means of successful defense
| against exactions of railroad combinations,
with which these great interests are constantly
threatened. Anything, therefore, which jeop.
ards in any manner this free water transit as
! means OF connecting transportation is Justly q
cause of serious alarm. That the proposed
bridge over the Detroit river will prove an ob
! structlon to such free navigation cannot be
doubted, and therefore, on behalf of the peo
pie of this State. and of the vast country whose
interests are deeply involved, protest agains,
| its construction. Most respectfully, your ODE
olent servant, j. b. PILLSBURY,
| Governor of Minnesota.
10 this Secretary McCrary returned the
following reply:
War DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY.
November rs, 1879.
SIR:-Acknowledging the receipt of you
! comm unication of the 18th inst, protesting
against the construction of bridge across the
Detroit river, have the honor to enclose here
with, for your information, copy of the re-
port upon the subjec, by the acting chief Of
engineers, dated November ~, which contain.
a copy of the joint resolution Of Congress, ap
proved June 20, 1879. ipursuant to which tn,
board OF engineer officers, to which you refer
was ordered to convene at the city of Detroit
Michigan, and which, it will be observed, does
not authorize the construction of bridge
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. W. McCRARY, Secretary of War.
10 the Governor OF the State of Minnesota, st.
Paul