The Rock Island Argus., 1880-12-24
The Hennepin Canal.

The Hennepin Canal.
The Chicago journal of Wednesday con-
tains the following account of the meeting
OF the canal committee in Chicago, that
day which We repubiish below. The
Journal prefaces with some remarks of
nature peculiar to Chicago interests and
then says
In 1874 number OF gentlemen in the
western part of the State, in the vicinity OF
Rock Island. met in that city in the inter.
est of q canal from the Illinois and Mich
igan Canal at Hennepin to Rock Island.
This mesting memoralized Congress on
the subject, AMI bill was introduced into
the House aui went to the Senate, but
fell to the reference committee. where it
quietly died. because the committee did
not think the country was in condition
to make the canal.
THE PROPOSED CANAL
is a com mmercisl one-not q ship cana.-
largo enough TO pass the barges that run
on the Upper Mississippi river. Such a
canal would be 60 miles loag 70 feet wide
and feet deep. with $50 locks. Such
canal would be Of great importance 10 the
Northwest sni especially to Chicago.
Above Davenport AMI R)ck Island there
is 500 nllestof n4gig4bie waters All this
would be u tde tributabia to Chicago by
water sal roai3rei in lep snlaa. of rail-
roads dIrins a great part of the year
hu
the ireightsrs above Rock Island
cannot use the Illinois river aud
canal because it is 800 miles to the mouth
of the Illinois river. and 200 miles from
there to Hennspin, which could be lessen
ed By this canal to sixty miles TIL. COS
of the commercial canal is estimated at
$5. 100000.
The conlmittee appointed six years ago
was called together ut the Grand Pacific
| Hotel
THE MEETING
was called 10 order by Mr. Allen. He said
that the transportation question had
oslied them together to-day. Water, he
| said, was the cheapest way of carrying
| freight, and as a means of transportation
Vas not played out although some thought
| so. The canal will cost from 81 900 900
| to s.. 900, ,O00-not owe. the latter amount.
| They did not propose to antagonize rail
| roads, Extending the canal from Heunepin
| to Rock Island vas virtually extending the
| water com n unlcstion Of Chicago 700 miles.
Mayor Harrison was chosen Chairman.
The Mayor said that he was deeply
| interested 10 the matter, ands warmly
endorsed the movement.
| Hon. Benjamin Shaw. of Dixon. was
ohossn Secretary of the meeting.
| Hoa William Bross referred to early eff
nois Canal, and concluded by stating
that per cent, of the internal revenue
paid by the West, if appropriated, would
be sufficient to,gve the Mississippi valley
steamboat connection with the great lakes.
MIR. james L. Camp. of Dixon. gave a
graphic and interesting history of the
efforts to have TIE canal constructed.
Captain Robinson, of Rock Island. said
that in this movement there was no desire
to cripple the railroads.
Hon, H. D. Dement, offered the follow
ing
/ RESOLUTION
Resolued, That tie following named
gentlemen bs committee to draw up o
memorial to the Congress of the United
States iu the interest Of tho completion oil
the improvement OF the Illinois river, the
enlargement of the Illinois and Michigan
canal aud its extension from Hennspin to
the Mississippi at or near Rock Island.
Carter Il. Harrison, of Chicago; james
Nj. Allen, Gsneseo; ]. L. Camp, Dixon;
T. J. Robinson and G. Truesdsl, of Rock
Island; Charles Randolph and Wm Bross
of Chicago; Edward Russell and Robert
Krauss. of Davenport: Robert Mahin, ot
Muscatins; w. M. Potter, of Clinton; j
|. NJ. Gould. of Moline
The resolution was adopted, and Mr.
Dement, was added to the committes.
Mr.. Camp moved that the committee
, consider the propriety of calling conven.
, ton. and, if dssmsd advisable, to select
a'place and time of meeting"
i, La con yersation with W. H. Gsst, ESQ
who was present at the meeting, he told
the writer that there was great interest
|, manifested at the meeting; that Dixon
was working hard for the canal; that il
would have some opposition. but tha.
Rock Island. in his opinion, could be
secured as the terminal point if the proper
effort was made. Why, said Mr. Gest, il
is the best thing possible for Rock Island
and | cannot understand Why our people
are so slow in the matter
If. Sc Mr.. Gest says, We could get this
canal through, with Rock Island assths
terminal point, real estate would greatly
appreciate, this is sure as fate, while
commercial interests would be greatly
benefited. It 10 certainly worth the trial
and it is hoped Rock Island will make
some effort to secure the terminal point.
The gentlemen who essayed to sernade
Miss L, few evenings since, should have
had clear. throats, and their efforts would
have been better appreciated. DIR. Bulls
lColgh Syrup is the best remedy extsnt
for tick or congested condition of the
Throat and Bronchial Tubes, giving In.
slant relief.