The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-01-15

fund and the surplus revenue of the Uni
ted States, which was divided among the
States in 1886. by repeated declarations
the faith of the State is pledged to for
ever pay for school purposes an amount
equal to 6per cent per annum on the sun
above stated. So long us it remains the
policy of the State to make appropriations
out of the general treasury in aid OF ed
ucatIOn, the existence of this nominal
debt and the interest charge thereon does
not increase in any way the amount 10 be
raised by taxation, nor does It's existence
in any way negative or impair the state
ment that Illinois is now out OF debt
REPORTS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS
transmit herewith the biennial re-
ports of the Secretary of State, the Audi
tor of Public Accounts, the State Treas
urer. the Superintendent OF Public In
struction, and the Attorney General :
They form an Indispensable guide and
aid in your work of legislation, and
should receive your careful consldera-
ton.
CANAL.
Among the most important ANA urgent
questions which call for your dellDera-
ton and action at this session are those
affecting the Illinois and Michigan Ca
nal. The appropriation of the last cen
eral Assembly of $50 900 per annum for
the purpose Of making necessary repairs
and providing means to put and keep the
canal in navigabe condition, has not
been used, and not a dollar drawn on It's
account. The ordinary revenues of the
canal have been sufficient tor its present
needs and to keep II in It's present condl-
ton. ! regard this appropriation as a
wise provision against accidents or un,
forSeen contingencies, ana recommend
that it be renewed for the next two years.
Its expenditure would be very small
matter to the state, as compared with the
great loss which would result if, for want
OF it, the canal could not be kept in
working condition.
The demand for the enlargement OF the
canal and the completion of the Illinois
river Improvement grows more urgent
every year, and it lisa matter which by no
means interests Illinois alone, but it is OF
equal Importance to all the states which
border on the Mississippi river. and to
all those which depend upon the great
valley for their food supplies. While this
water way happens to be wholly within
the territory OF Illinois, its Improvement
is not u question of local or state inter
est.
The state has reimbursed Chicago tor
its advances in deepening the canal, ana
it is now the property of the state with
out incumbrance. The constitution con-
tains the following provision: The Hi
nois and Michigan Canal shall never be
sold or leased until the specific provision
for the sale or lease thereof shall first
have been submitted to vote OF the peo-
pie of the state at IA general election, ana
have been approved by a majority or all
. Ia, of nlaptInn |
earnestly recommend that you provide
for submission to the people of the state
of proposition which will allow the Ca
nal to be turned over to the United States,
on proper conditions and limitations, and
that you provide for the presentation or
the whole matter, to our delegation in
Congress and to the Nation in such light
as will secure early and favorable action.
Whatever special advantage may ac-
crue to IlinOlt by reason OF her having
the canal within her borders, will be fully
her due in return for the millions she has
already expended on this work. The adj
vantage to the nation resulting from con-
Meeting the lakes with the Mississippi
river, the North and East with the West
and South, by water way through
which can pass the bulky products OF the
Mississippi Valley, will be infinitely more
than the cost of such improvement.
The deepening Of the canal 80 as 10
give steady southerly current OF the
waters of Lake Michigan into the Illinois
river has been of immense sanitary ad-
vantage to the city of Chicago, in that its
effect has been to purify the Chicago
river and in Il great measure save the
sources of water supply of that great
city from contamination by sewerage.
But, in consequence OF the enormous IN
crease of population and manufactures in
Chicago, the supply Of water flowing
through the canal does not sufficiently
dilute the sewerage to make 1t ln0cu0uS.
and the result is IA serious injury TO the
pOpulOus districts which border on the
canal, in the counties of viii, Grundy
and La Sale. The evil consequences OF
the insufficient supply of water are most
keenly felt in winter, and such represent
atoms have been made to me by the au-
thoritics and citizens of Joliet, Lock
port, and other towns, that have caused
investigation to be made by the Canal
Commissioners and by the State Board OF
Health, whose reports Oh these questions
will be placed before you, with Sugges-
tions as to the best means of remedying
the evils complained of. 1t Is represent
ed to be perfectly feasible to 50 Increase
the flow of water through the present
canal as to make its bed and borders
heathful and pure. The subject should
receive your immediate and careful CON
sideratiOn. There can be no discussion
as to the duty of the state to see that its
own property Is not maintained or oper-
ated in such condition as puts IN peril
the health and lives of its citizens; and
that such is the present condition, IN
winter ut least, of the Illinois and Mich
igan Canal seems to be clearl& estab-
lished.
RAILROADS.
The annual report of the Railroad and
Warehouse Commissioners will be found
to contain IA comprehensive statement OF
the condition and operations OF the rail
roads in this state more than ever before.
This vast interest, whose annual gross
earnings are nearly $50 900 900 and which
employs over $4,000 persons in our state,
and in which every citizen IS interested,
either rs taxpayer, stakeholder, or pat
ron, when enters into and concerns