The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-04-24
THE CANAL.
A Meeting Recently held at
Chicago.
Plain Talk About the Probable
Result.

4
A meeting in the interest OF the Hen
nepin and Rock Island canal was held las'
Friday evening at Chicago, when mum
Der of local advocates of the canal projeci
were in attendance, and addressed the
gathering. Very short notice was given
of the contemplated meeting, and as "a con
sequence there were not so many there as
otherwise might naturally be expected.
Among Others in attendance were the fol
lowing:
The Hon. G. b. Farwell Jesse Spalding.
Judge Murphy of Davenport, MIR. Keep,
Colonel Allen. r. T. Crane, M. A. Meyer,
C. M. Henderson, Edison Keith, Major
Beardsley, Mr. Bradley.
MR.. CRANE
was called to the chair. and NJ. A. Meyer
was selected as Secretary.
On motion Judge Murphy, of Dayen
port, was invited to address the meeting.
He stated the object of the meeting He
had hoped, and had reason to believe, that
a larger gathering would have been pres
emit. He was compelled TO say ii the
meeting was fair measure of interest, the
Quicker it was abandoned the better. He
did not see single member of the Board
of Trade. For himself he was a delegate
from the Davenport Board of Trade. This
canal improvement had been agitated for
the past dozen years. The city of Chi
cago should realize the vast Importance OF
this improvement, and wake from its leth-
argv. The difference between rail and
water transportation is about one half 1t
costs as much to ship grain from
Iowa to Chicago as from Chicago to New
York In one year enough could be saved
to build the canal eight times or 3d.. 800,
600 The trouble in Chicago was that
they had enjoyed too much prosperity. A
few gentlemen here took an interest IN It,
We have never found city or individual
in the northwest or northeast that did not
favor the Improvement of the Hennepin
canal A commission was organized last
October. and we have been doing the very
best we could. We have worked up an
interest. We have furnished map which
has been published in 500 newspapers, and
everybody in Washington thinks it the
grandest project in the world. The Pro
duce Exchange of New York, conservative
as it is. gave us an endorsement. He I'M
derstood that the peoples representatives
in Congress were about unit in favor OF
The bill The bill has passed the Senate
and will pass the House, ceding the Hi
nois and Michigan Canal to the General
Government We on the river have got
tired. because we do not find the response
we are entitled to. Even your Journals do
not give MS the consideration we desvere.
We are forced to think that there is
a quiet. potential influence at work against
us and in favor of other than water trans
portation. We are in the middle of the
stream and must not go back. 1T we only
do our duty we will succeed. campaign
requires munitions of war, and so we urge
YOU to do more in the future than in the
past. Chicago has shown that she has
ability and capacity.
THE CONSTRUCTION
of this canal is of more importance to Chi
cago than any other. The speaker alluded
to the sneers in the papers of st. Paul and
ST. Louis against the project. some of
which claimed that it was only scheme to
drain the city of Chicago You gentle
men can make this success or a failure.
We are over the line. This meeting is for
the purpose of considering ways and means.
is necessary. One or two
men can't do the work. Appoint your
committees to take hold of this great
work
THE HON. C. b. FARwELL
said if the House should not adjourn be-
fore the first of July we hope to reach the
bin before adjournment, otherwise we
must take it from the Speakers desk as it
comes from the Senate. The members did
not need any lobbying They were all in
fav or of it.
MAJOR ALLEN
thought some new efforts necessary All
was done at Washington that was possible.
Of course there was strong opposition,
and efforts were necessary to push it by its
friends in the West. Chicago is very
important point, and if il will only get up
and shake itself, it will tell like thunder in
Congress. He thought organization more
necessary, and with the influence of Chi
caeo behind the bill it would pass this SEES
sion of Congress without doubt. 1t was
delicate matter to urge advice upon gentle
men of their business habits. In order to
keep this transportation coming this way
It must be made cheaper, or else the large
system viii be perfected and grain will go
Town the river. Chicago has no lease upon
ne CoIHInSICe u LIE great lNOftlWest Inc
is being improved by the gov
,rnment, Would they sit by and see this
great trade divided? Chicago has double
interest in the Hennepin Canal. on account
IF the enlargement of the Illinois and
Michigan Canal Action was necessary
MAJOR BEARDsLEY
poke of the work done in Congress upon
hia hill and ito Dredacaasora The ueYt
hing to be done was to see that this thing
hould not die, but pushed ahead.
Mr.. Farrell moved the appointment of a
of five to take charge of the
natter the Chairman to ha anA Of +t~ 1900
niTtee. Carried and the same when APP
pointed, stood as follows: Messrs hurry
Nelson. j. M. Durham, c. M. Henderson,
z. T. Crane, and Edison Keith.
The meeting then adjourned.
Mrs. Nancy Hartman. of Mansfield, o.,