, 1880-03-14
THE STATE DITCH.
Appointment of Delegates to the
Ottawa Convention.
Revival Of the Project for Ship-Canal
to the Mississippi.

The public meeting Of citizens, announced
several days ago, for the purpose of electina
da,cxates to the coming Ship-Ca Convention
to be held at OTTAWA on the 18th lust, was held
last evening In the room Of the Coal Exchange
at the Grand Pacific Hotel Among the gentle
men present were Long" John Wentworth
George Sherwood, William Bross, Gen O. l.
Mann, Marshall Carter, Aid Throop, Dr.. ]. 81.
Rauch* Willard Woodland, Canal-CommisstoneI
Glover, Gen. BEEN, Benjamin Gallup, W. X
Arthur. Malcolm Mcdonald J. z. Scammon, "
n. B1amard, Aid Wickersham, Col. P. G.
Turnkey.
The meeting was called to order by Marshall
Carter, WHO nominated John Wentworth to pro-
side. The nomination Was made unanimous.
Mr.. George Sherwood was chosen Secretary. On
taking the chair, Mr.. Wentworth stated the OBJ
5ect Of the meeting and invited discussion Mfr.
Carter, Gov. Bross, Malcolm Mcdonald, aud
Benjamin Gallup spoke OF the desirability Of
restoring the Bridgeport pumping works, e1-
tending the tunnels, and, eventually. OF building
ship p-canal, which was probably the only uld-
mate mcans OF providing for Chicago's sewage,
xnd at the same time securing an additional
commercial highway.
Ex-Canal Commissioner Brainard said he had
favored and still favored the idea OF ship
canal, believing it to be the one thing needed.
Before that could be obtained. he IVES In farorof
the proposed pumping-works az temporary
expedicnt
The Chairman suggested that It would be quite
n well to keep the idea Of drainage In the back
ground. II they got the Ehip-canal they would
get an important outlet for the commerce Of
the Northwest, and If it helped the sewage ques-
ton any, well and good.
Col Arthur urged that the one thing needful
IVES to widen and deepen the canal
DR.. Rauch agreed with the Chairman that it
was not necessary to set the question OF sew
age to the front, important as it was The ship
canal was local as well as National measure,
along the banks ct the canal the more necessary
did i become The people below, eren to tha
WANTED MORE WATER,
and there would be no trouble below from pol
luton Of the water~snppIy, owing to the process
Of oxidation which was continually taking place.
The Bridgeport pumping-works, which he had
all probability appropriate money, would be q
useful temporary e1pedlent, which should be
followed IL the end both from commercial
and sanitary point Of view, by ship-canaf
Aid Throop felt that it was an important
qucsdon,-more 50, perhaps, from commercial
than 1rom = sanitary point Of view. Chicago
centre Of the West and Northwest and what she
Heeded was the cheapest mode OF trans
D1t9a p9rtation. which evefybedy was ready to
ehip-cauM would be Important as q
war measure. Not only Chicagos manufactures,
but the produce OF the entire Northwest would
largely seek water outlet in u southwestern di-
recuon. Illinois, III the next twenty five years,
was likely TO be oneof the most populou5 States in
the Union, and it became her ard Chicago to look
well to tue future II they got the facilities they
needed, the population would increase in ratio
not yet approached. great as it has been In the
past
j. I. scammon alluded to the proposed ship
canal chiefly as an economical question, and said
It would ut once solve the transportation prob
LEN and crush out railroad monopoly
people Of the State to first pass upon the ques-
tion Of selling or leasing the canal to the Gov
That done, and an affirmative vote
ncnt would probably take charge Of it and ap-
propriatc money to widen and deepen it. The
Legislature would have to submit tho
QUESTION TO THE PEOPLE,
aud It might be we'll to circulate petitions cali
ing upon that body at its next session to take
such action. From sanitary point Of view
there was no doubt that the ultimate remedy Of
Mr. scammon said the General Government
bad set this precedent Of aiding the project and
he didn't want to see the matter postponed for
Gen- BEEN wished it to be understood that he
Tas IN no way opposed to the project, but he
thought It advisable, from legal point of view.
Col. TURNKEY said he didn't believe the ship |
canal would COST over S12,0 00o and il it wasn't
ouAt Chicago would In time become uninhabit- |
able.
Judge Glover said the question was one which
lad to be met very speedily. The present Of
ensive condition OF the water IN the canal
Eas almost uncomfortable, and something of
character should be done to
improve it. He. had believed, and still
'clleved, thar the agricultural interests
4 the country required the enlargement Of the
ami, :: and he hoped to see the day when the
! dfssissippi River boats would Lie out here in the
'hicago h.lrbYr. and ply back and forth between
ere and the Father ct Waters
Aid. Wickersham referred to the subject In its
anltary aspect, believing the pumping works to
e temporary e1pcdlcnt- and the ship-canal
be onty means Of permanent relief.
Willard y Woodar1 remarked that the principal
1thculty in the past had been the entire want Of
ny. det'nit pian Of action in regard to the
roject- He was IN hopes that the Ottawa Con-
entton would taboo speeches and go to work
nd present some detait plan of what was
united, and then move on Congress In q sys- !
.1natic way. When this was done, he believed
be city aud the State would accomplish their
bjects
The Secretary, who had apparently consulted
city directory, Nominated the following List Of |
elegates:
arter Harrison, George Armour,
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