The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-10-29
The Resolution Passed by
Congress last Winter in
Regard to River I'm
provement.
A Visit to the Island and In
spection Of the Harbor
This Morning.
OFF for the Sunny South at
O'clock this Afternoon.
AN IMPORTANT DELEGATION.

1
pointed senatorial commission for the
purpose of investigating the work being
done on the lower Mississippi. To carry
out the instructions of congress, per.
sonal inspection was necessary, and the
commission decided that the fall of the
year was the most appropriate time for
the work, Us the water would then be low
and some idea of the condition of the
channel could be arrived at. When Gen.
Logan, who is chairman of the commits
sion, was here several weeks ago, in
attendance at the soldiers reunion at
Davenport, he stated that the commission
wOuld'leave some time during October.
and that Rock Island would probably be
the starting point. HIS was correct in his
assertion; although it was several times
stated that st. Louis was to be the place
of starting. 1t was therefore not defnit-
lly known that We were to be favored
with visit from the distinguished body,
until last Thursday, when the United
States steamer Gen. Barnard made its
appearance and Capt Durham announced
the fact that he had received instructions
to wait here for the Senators, who would
arrive Sunday evening from Chicago.
A meeting of prominent citizens was
held in the law office of Sturgeon & Olsen
yesterday afternoon, and la reception COM
mittee appointed, consisting of Capt. II.
c. Cleaveland, Capt. T. J. Robinson,
Major j. NJ. Beardsley, and Messrs. Morris
Rosentield, and Fred WeyerAauser. These
gentlemen drove to the upper depot in
carriages, where they met the delegation
from Chicago Arriving at the Harper
house, few minutes social conversation
was INDUCED in before supper. The
ARGUS representative found the following
persons comp osed the party: Senator
Logan, of Illinois, Jonas, of Louisiana,
Walker, of Arkansas, Sawyer, of Wis
consin; n. T. N. Robinson, clerk of the
committee; James l. Christie, deputy
sergeant of arms of the United States
senate; J. F. Shuey, stenographer; W. B.
Taylor, Gen, Logan's private secretary,
and clerk of military affairs of the senate;
Hon. Fl. H. Evans, state senator from
Aurora, guest of the commission; Nelson,
porter. A few home gentlemen accom-
panied the commission to supper. The
evening was pleasantly spent in the hotel
parlors, discussing the general news OF
the day, but especially matters pertaining
to the river improvement. The Hennepin
canal project was also discussed, and the
senators were fOrcibly shown the many
great advantages that would be secured il
canal was established, with the outlet
just below the Rock Island rapids. Con
gresham Murphy, of Davenport was
present, as well as Col. D. W. Flagler.
\ THE RESOLUTION.
/ In order that our readers may become
n fully acquainted with the duties of thu
!. commission, we publish the resolution al
). passed by congress last February:
Res0lged, That committee of five sen
ators be appointed by the President pr
a tempOre to examine ilto the works now il
y progress for the improvement of the
Mississippi river below Cairo, and the
methods employed in making such i'm
provements, and the contracts touching
, the same. and the application of the APP
E preparations made by congress for that
n purpose.
Also, all matters pertaining to and the
3 feasibility of the outlet system for the
IS improvement of said river.
VII Also, in the improvement made at thu
a mouth of said river, the system of jetties
and the extent to which the same have
Facilitated the navigation of the river tC
I the gulf, their permanancy and the meth.
It cd now employed in the improvement
thereof. and into. all matters touching
said improvements, the met hodl
It and effects thereof, and CON
$ tracts touching the same
: The said commission may hold its SEES
t sions during the recess of congress, a
/. such places on said river or elsewhere, a!
may be necessary for full inquiry into tn,
Q matters above referred to, may send fo
persons and papers. examining on oati
any of the persons employed ON the Mis-
Il sissippi river improvement commission, o.
j. by the same and others, if deemed neces
sary, including all river men and rive
residents.
The said commission shall report to tn,
senate the result of such inquiries at tn,
!, earliest day practicable of the mex
session of congress.
The actual expenses of said commission
: including pay of a clerk and witness fees
! shall be paid out of the item of the con
+ tingent fund appropriated for expense
n of special and select committees or
vouchers therefor duly approved by tn,
chairman of said committee and sad com
mission shall have power to employ
!; lstenographer if necessary.
G The senatorial delegation arose betime
g this morning, and as soon as breakfas
! was over an adjournment was made tt
t the hotel parlors, where some testimon,
!, was taken in regard 70 the condition O
the harbor in this vicinity. The testimon,
was taken down in short hand by Mr. t
r +. Shuey, stenographer, who is pleasan
It and agreeable gentleman. A remark wa
/ made that the commission commenced
: their labors rather early when Gen. Logar
replied: ooh, we are workers" The
general is evidently right, and he in
formed the reporter that he intended r.