The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-01-24

The Hennepin canal project is receiv-
ing strong support from all eastern jour
nails Just now. The New York Times,
one of the most influential newspapers of
the great empire state says:
In this paper for December 2Sth last
under the heading of "Relef by Cons
greSs, we called upon congress to begin
at once the work of building the Henne>
pin canal, for the purpose of connecting
the Mississippi river with the great lakes,
and thus Cheapening to cost Of transpor-
tation between the east and the grain and
cattle fields Of the harvest. The house of
representatives has promptly given heed
to this demand. as will be seen by the
following dispatch:
AN appropriation of $3.50, 900 is re-
ported for the Hennepin canal. with the
provision that the work be begun as soon
as possible"
This appropriation for the Henncpin
canal, which is one of the public works
most needed by the country, ought to
have been at least five times more; but it
will do for beginning. AT next session,
after the cutting of the canal has fairly
begun, congress can supply all the funds
needed for its prompt completion.
There should be no delay about en-
ploying all the labor that can be put
upon the work The Hennepin canal
has been talked of for forty years, and
all the engineering problems connected
with its building have been fully studied
in every detail, so that operations upon
it, under the appropriations now made
ought to be commenced before spring.
A Washington correspondent of the
Chicago Times telegraphed his paper last
evening that an Ohio member of congress
said yesterday; ut looks to me as it the
Hennepin canal would be given lift by
congress pretty soon. / see a great deal
of change Of sentiment on this subject
during the past two or three years. When
first proposed it had no friends TO speak
of, but now there are many. 1t may he
on account of other projects springing up
which would give the Hennepin strength
by combination, yet do not believe it.
think there is decided majority in IA
VOL vi tIEt IICdStlIG III tllC ii'uSt.
But the senate
Il believe majority vote would be-
given it in that body OF course, much
depends upon the shape in which the
matter if presented 1t will come up in
a separate and distinct bin from the house
committee on rivers and harbors. In no
way will the regular river and harbOr
bill be hindered by the Hennepin canal
project.
'Will there not be a constitutional OBJ
lection made to the Hennepil canal, as
usual?'
80 yes There are some who object to
every class of improvement. almost, on
the ground that it is unconstitutional; but
the men who take refuge behind the con-
stitution are not many now, and they are
generally laughed at. | don't see how the
Hennepin canal can be ruled out any more
than the Mississippi on constitutional
grounds. 1t is not an internal improves
ment, by any means, nor is it an improve
ment for the benefit Of any state, or two
or three states. 1t is a matter Of interest
to every state beyond the Mississippi. 1t
throws the northern states and the Mis-
sissippi together and will very materially
cheaper freight rates to the people in the
west, The railroads are fighting the
measure, and / presume will continue to
tight it, but have yet TO hear the first
objection to it from citizen not inter-
ested in railroad property, 1t would open
new field for the cattle and stock men
think of nothing that would bless them
more 1t appears to be only a question
of few years when ships will be running
from the Mississippi into the northern
lakes.