St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-01
prosecuting the great work entities him to
public thanks.
Improvement of the Mississippi from the
Falls Of 81. -4ntItosy to the Dss
Moi1.es RupiGs.

Improvement of the Mississippi from the
Falls Of 81. -Inthony to rhe Dss
Moines Rapids.
The improvement of the entire Mississippi
river is a matter of great interest to Mime
sofa and the Northwest, but most especially
is'the improvement of the upper Mississippi
of vital Importance, this portion of the
stream being the connecting link between
the northwest and the great highway to the
sea. Congress has recognized the i'm portance
of this stream by making appropriations for
its improvement, but so far as the upper
Mississippi. river is concerned, the amounts
selves, have been very small in comparison
with the magnitude of the work and the very
important results to be obtained.
Tue radical improvement of the upper
Mississippi was inaugurated in 1878. Since
that year work has been going on quietly
and steadily, and as rapidly as the available
funds would permit. The work is being car
ried out under the supervision of the engi-
neer corps of the army, and the general
plan being followed is the concentration OF
the water into one channel by the clos ng of
side sloGghs, the bringing of the river TO 4
uniform width by the construction of dams,
and the protection of caving shores and
heads of islands.
There has been expended IN connection
with the permanent improvement of the
upper Mississippi up to the present time,
under the head of 'Improving the Missis-
sippi river from st. Paul to Des Munes
rapids" distance of SIS miles, about ST.,
600, 900, and under the head of 'Improving
the Mississippi river from Des Moines
rapids to the mouth of the Illinois, l73
miles, about $500, 900.
The results accom- plished with this COM
paratively small expenditure have been mos.
beneficial to the interests of navigation. The
most troublesome obstructing sand bars
have been removed and in the upper por-
ton of the river the ruling depths have
been increased about two feet. 1t
is now practicable for the largest
upper Mississippi river steamers to make
regular trips to st. Paul with paying loads.
Contracts can now be made by these carriers
for the open season with q certainty that the
same can be carried out. The improvements
already made have greatly reduced the cost of
transportation aud have made possible freight
rates much lower than are practicable with
other than water routes. During the past
three seasons many Of the largest boats
on the upper Mississippi have mada regular
trips TO st. Paul. Without the improvement
he retofore made by the United States govern
ment it is safe to say that transfers of river
freights at La Crosse with attendant cost
would have been necessary.
To the vast mbering interests Of the
nOi thwest the improvements 50 lar cannot
but have proved of very great benefit TIE
valuable RATS of logs and lumber, which de-
pend on the upper Mississippifor means OF
transportation to the various distributiu g
points, can now be moved much more
rapidly with far greater safety and at less
expense than was practicable few years
since.
In January, 1881. committee represent
ing the steamboat aud raft Interests Of tue
Mississippi river caused to be prepared and
submitted to congress statement in regard
10 the condition of the river, and the I'M
provements up to that time made. From
this statement the following quotations are
taken:
1.-THE river interest, the men whose capital
is invested in river craft engaged in nayigat-
ing the river unite in teslifying to the value
and mportance of the work already done By
the government engineers. The system Of
improvements established by that depart
meut of government officials, as far as car
red out, is certainly cheap and practicable
method of making the river nayigablc ut or
binary stages of water. There can be no
doubt but that the commerce of the great
west has been greatly benefited, and viii con-
tinue to be more and mere each year, by the
prosecutiunof the work as mapped out by the
engineers.
Further evidence Of benefits resulting from
the plans nov being carried out are found
in the report OF the select committee APP
pointed 10y the United States senate in 1888.
Their report states:
''The engineer officer under, whose direc-
ton this entire work was done, and who is
still in local charge, testified that lac had
watched carefully the effect OF the improve
ments so far atten pied, aud was satisfied
that the results clearly demonstrated the pro-
propriety Of the system; that It las passed
beyond the domain of experiment and when
fully carried out will secure good, navi-
gable channel at all stages of the river be-
tween st. Paul and the mouth Of the Illi-
uois river This testimony would seem TO
be amply sustained and corroDeratcd by that
OF the rivermen and river residents whose
interests are involved in good navigation.
With scarcely dissenting voice these citi-
and importance OF the work already done by
the government engineers, to its cheapuess
and practicability, and to the large benefits
that have accrued and will continue TO &C
cruc 10 the commerce of the great west by
It's further prosecution.
the present success Of the system in use
is urged as the best reason why there should
br no cessation of the work. Upon this
point there seemed to be no difference of
opinion.
without going to the extent of indorsiug
all the opinions OF the citizens who live
upon the banks OF the upper Mississippi, or
OF the rivermen WHOSE capital is invested in
the numerous craft engaged in navigating
the stream, your committee are persuaded
that II the work of improvement Is worth
doing at at all, it is worth doing well, and
that TO secure permanently, thoroughneSs
and economy in its prosecution, uniform
system should be adopted and adhered TO.
The system now in use on the river between
the mouth Of the Illinois and St. Paul, with
the notifications suggested by experience,
seems 70 be adequate to the improvement Of
navigation, and should, in the Judgment Of
YOUR committee. be pushed rapidly to CON-
plction All completed works have given
good results"
But while so much can be ssid regarding
work already carried out. it remains as .
fact that the improvement is in its infancy.
What has been accomplished Gu the upper
Mississippi, simply demonstrates that the cX-
pcrimental stage Is passed; that the plans
being followed are correct and that when
carried 10 completion tbcy VIII accomplish
all that is claimed for them, aud that such
completion will give TO ;ne northwest ~ un-
interrupted channel 30 tae sea. free t. all,
and OF sufficient capacity to satisfy the needs
OF commerce for all time; aud Eith such 4
line Of communication open, freight rates
mast and viii he reduced to their lowest pos