The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-11-09

The sprightly Josie will be down early
in the morning.
The White Eagle spread her wings for
the north this afternoon.
The Keokuk went south last evening,
with good complement of passengers
and freight.
The st. Elmo passed on her way south
this morning. She had covered raft
ahead, which was loaded with potatoes,
etc.
NORTHERN LIGHTS.
Onaccount of the close of navigation,
all United States beacon lights between
st, Paul and Dubuque will be discontinued
on the ooh of November.
THE RIVER COMMISSION
According TO special from the st.
Louis Globe Democrat, the special sena-
torial river commission has arrived at
Vicksburg, Miss. The report says:
The United States steamer Gen. Bar
nard, under command of Capt c. W.
Durham, having on board the special
committee of the United States senate,
appointed to investigate the improvement
of the Mississippi river. arrived Tuesday
night about 10 O'Clock. The committee
have been on the river for about two
weeks and investigating the work done
by the commission, and also what is
needed in the future No time has been
lost and in the language of one of the
officers present, lit is working com
mittee" At every point where work is
going on the engineer in charge has been
examined by the committee, who have
endeayored to get all the facts about the
work in progress, and where the govern
ment is asked to accomplish any work.
gentlemen familiar with the work pro
posed are thoroughly examined before the
committee, but no buncombe speeches
are allowed to be made. TIE principal
witnesses examined have been the United
States engineers. owners and masters of
steamboats,. as well as pilots. There has
been no effort made to get the views of
theorists or people with a plan. The
work, shops and plan all along the river
have been examined closely, and all the
details investigated. The committee were
met this morning at the lower landing by
Mr.. J, f. Baum and Capt. E G. Carroll.
and the boat went up along the work at
Delta Point, to give the senators
an opportunity of viewing the
work accomplished there, which was
explained to these gentlemen by
Maj Miller and Capt Marshall. After a
trip along the entire length of this work
the boat turned and came up through the
west pass into the lake and in front of the
city landing, at the foot of China street,
where the party were met by large mum,
Der of citizens. The committee of citizens
had carriages there and the party were
taken out on drive through the city
The National cemetery was the first place
visited, where an hour was spent looking
over the beautiful ground and admiring
the views. From there they went to the
old battle ground where Gen Logan was
stationed during the siege. the general
recognizing many points of interest taken
part in by him during that memorable
time. The party also visited the ground
where the interview was held between
Gen. Grant and Gen Pemberton, where
the terms of the surrender of Vieksburg
were discussed. The general corrected
what has become matter of history by
being often repeated. He said in an in
terview between Gen. Grant and Gen.
Pemberton at the point where the capl-
tulation took place no terms of agreement
were arrived at, but the capitulation was
afterwards arranged in writing between
the distinguished commanders, and not at
the spot which is marked by big cannon
in commemoration thereof. Upon the re-
turn of the distinguished party, an, informal
reception was held at Magnolia club
rooms, where a number of citizens paid
their respects. After short period
pleasantly spent, the party again took
carriages and were driven to the boat,
where business was again resumed. and
the testimony of several persons relating
to the river improvements and river
matters was taken. The committee ex-
pressed themselves well pleased with what
they had seen. They expect to leave to
night, and will go to st. Joseph, La =,
oefore they make another stop. The fol
lowing gentlemen connected with the Ri.
yer Commission have been met at various
points and examined by the committee,
the engineer in charge of each reach ac-
companying the committee the entire
length of his work; Maj. Harrod and Gen
Ferguson, of the Mississippi River Com
mission, and the following officers of the
United States Engineer corps: Mai Err
nest, Maj Mckenzie, Maj. Miller, Capt.
Knight, Capt Meigs and Capt Marshall,
Senator Lamar came in this morning to
meet the committee here, Governor Low.
nv, who was expected in, telegraphed
Senator Jonas that owing to the election
troubles in Capiah County he was unable
to be present. This is the first visit of
Gen. Logan to Vicksburg since the days
of the siege, and he was deeply interest
ed in viewing the changes made since that
date, being unable to recognize the river
until the boat came into the opposite side
of the lake, when he smiled and said he
recognized the land now The General
with his committee, like he was during tho
war, is hard worker and does no things
by halves. Everything is done syste.
matte and thorough way. Hon. H. H.
Evans, of the Illinois Senate, who accom-
panies the committee, also spent several
weeks just outside of our city in 1868,
and was warmly treated by those inside
Like Senator Logan, this is his first visit
to Vieksburg in the intervening time The
Gen. Barnard is the largest boat that has
gone through the entrance on the west
side since the low water set in. She is
80 feet long, 3S feet wide. 1t is expect
ed that the Anchor Line boats will soon
land at the elevator, using the same ap
proach. Frank Moreys ex Congressman
of Louisiana, Joined the party here and
went down the river with them.