Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-01-20

rules Tor the passage OF the memorial.
Mr.. James Smith, Jr., thought there was
no great haste, as it had not been discussed in
the Senate, and it is matter of too great
importance. He advocated its reference to the |
committee of the whole.
Mr. Wilson expressed his interest In the |
matter, and opposed its hasty disposition. He
favored its reference to the committee of the
whole.
Mr.. McMasters favored the memorial He
had seen the system in operation on the Chip
pewa river where it had been of great use to
lumbermen in floating logs.
Mr.. Hicks said he knew where the opposi-
ton to this measure came-from those per-
sons who sought to build up their own sec
tons by tearing Others down. He declared
that it was the purpose of these people to de-
feat the memorial simply for the fact that it
would improve the navigation of the Missis-
sippi above st. Paul. He said the spirit mani
tested was narrow and sectional, but perfectly
consistent with the past record OF the par
ties.
Mr. James Smith, Jr., disclaimed any inten.
ton of interfering with any measure that
would aid in the development of any section OF
| the State, but this plan was calculated, II put
into operation, to greatly injurc the entire
State. 1t was a scheme on the part OF Ger.
| tain class to make the government do what
| they should do themselyes-to build dams and
| furnish water to run logs to the mills. 1t was
held by some of the most competent engineers
that the plan would be wholly Intellectual in in.
creasing the volume of water below the falls of
| st. Anthony. What the people of the whole
State wanted was to have the water in the river
below Fort Smelling at a navigable stage all
| through the summer months, SO that the pro-
tucers would not be wholly at the mercy of
the railroad monopolies. The reservoir sys-
| tenn would overflow large quantity of valu-
| able arabic land and enable the pine land ring
| hot hnd hnly l,f Ian fnrS
after having stolen all the timber from them,
to claim any damages they might choose by
| reason of the overflow. Another wheel within
the wheel was to drive the Chippewa Indians
| from their reservations SO as to enable the
| ring to get possession of the timber lands upon
that reservation. One thing that made him
suspicious of the scheme was the fact that its
advocates were the same men who had opposed
all legitimate plans for the improvement of
navigation, and had filled the channel with
sawdust and edgings SO as to render 1t i'm
passable for considerable distance below St.
| Paul. If an appropriation for this purpose
was got from Congress, there would be moth
ing for the improvement of the river below
the falls-for the construction of wing dams
and the combining of the channel within proper
limits. 1t was far more important to keep the
water at good stage below the head of navi-
cation than to sQuander millions to aid the
loggers in getting their logs TO mill.
Mr.. Hicks said that at every session he was
continually having sawdust thrown in his
eyes. 1t was the great hobby OF st Paul,
whenever anything came up for the benefit OF
the village ten miles above, to talk sawdust.
For the purpose of allowing members to OBJ
tain light on the subject, however, he was
willing to make the memorial the special Or
der for II o'clock on Friday, and SO moved.
Mr.. Wilson was impressed with the import
ance of the matter It affected the people Of
| fl,n He
WINGED that something must be done to deepen
the channel above La Crosse, but did not be-
lieve the reservoir system would accomplish
that purpose. The people would demand that
if any money was expended it be for the pur-
pose of improving navigation, not for the pur-
pose of assisting a few mllers to float their
logs to market.
Mr. Hicks said that it would be quite as
reasonable to demand that the owners of
ste amboats should maintain navigable stage
of water below the falls as that the lumber
men above the falls should build their own
dams to float their logs. The two PROPOSE
lions were parallel. He did not deny that the
system would benefit Minneapolis, but it was
commended that it would also increase the vol
ume of water below the falls He wanted the
matter disposed of, and not dragged along till
it was too late for action at the present ses-
| sion of Congress.
Mr.. Sanborn said it was q question that con-
cerned the people of the whole State. 1t was
admitted that the reservoir system would ben
eft only the numbering interests, representing
only from five to six million dollars. The ag-
ricultural interests, however, represented fifty
to sixty million dollars, and this would be
benefited fully 10 per cent. by maintaining nav
igation on the Mississippi during the eutire
summer. Besides, large amount of good
land would be overfowed and rendered unfit for
settlement, and be made exceedingly unhealth-
r,,y H., {Lo ~
He thought the matter should be fully cOnsid-
cred. 1t was question of whether Congress
would improve the river for the benefit of the
lumbermen or for the benefit of the agricultural
community. Both could not be done. After
the channel had been deepened up to the head
of navigation, he would not oppose the expert
ment suggested.
Mr.. Comstock said that the distinction be-
tween what was and what was not commerce
should be drawn. He didnot consider logging
as commerce, and to appropriate money for
the purpose of assisting it would be perver-
sion of the powers of Congress. He then ex-
planned the reservoir system briefly and urged
that the House consider the memorial carefully
before passing it,
The memorial was then made the special or
der for II o'clock on Friday, with the under
standing that the previous question be not
called
The use of the hall was voted to Mrs Ma
thilda Fletcher for a lecture this evening.
On motion of Mr.. Dunn, the Senate joint
resolution providing for special committee
to whom all matters relating to the State rail
road bonds be referred, was taken up and
! adopted.
Mr. Mott stated that the several committees
would be absent on Friday, visiting State iD-
situations, and moved that the vote by which
the reservoir matter was made the special
order for that day be reconsidered, and the
hour of 2 O'Clock on Monday be submitted.
As Mr.. Hicks had left the House he with
drew the motion with the intention of renew
ing it this morning. Adjourned.