The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-01


as on Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, or
on the Ohio river at Louisville. He also
expressed opposition TO a similar provision
as TO the Henncpin canal,
Mr.. Teller advocated both propositions
as being in the interests OF trade AMI COM
merce The great metropolitan journals,
influenced or owned largely by the rail
roads, had been in the habit OF speaking
OF the Hennepin "frauds." The railroad
companies had been the sturdy opponents
OF waterways across the continent IL
there was a meritorious thing in the bill II
was the proposition 10 open ship canals
from Lake Michigan down through the H.
linois river and from Lake Michigan
across the country, which would accom-
modate the people Of the upper Mississippi
and the extreme west
Mr.. Dolph expressed doubts rs to the
practicatility or wisdom Of the Illinois
river scheme, but he saw no reason why
the survey should not be made.
Nj. West called attention 10 the fact
that the survey OF the Henncpin canal had
already been made (thc estimate OF cost
having been 81, ,0O0), and that the
present proposition was not fora survey
but for location" lie had persistcntly
and consistently opposed putting canal
projects into the river and harbor bill. II
the friends OF the lennepn canal wanted
| the appropriation made they should bring
! IL before the House rs q separate hill and
| have the matter fairly discussed. But the
putting OF such projects into the river and
| harbor bill would bring the whole system
OF internal improvements into scandal and
| odium.
Mr.. Sherman spoke Of the magnitude Of
| the proposed ship canal. lie said that
| the distance from Chicago To the mouth OF
| the Illinois river ut Ia sale was 200
miles n greater distance than the proposed
| Nicaragua canal from ocean TO ocean, and
the estimated cost OF the Nicaragua canal
was S05, 100000.
The discussion was further continued by
Senators Teller, Vest, Call and Allison.
Senators Teller and Allison advocated both
propositions.
MIR. Vest argued against the llonncpin
project, but having less objection 10 the
proposed survey of the canal from lGlSallc
To Chicago.
Mr.. Call favored all internal improve
mcnts.
Mr.. Allison stated that ~ far back rs
1854, q ship canal between the lakes and
the Mississippi was regarded by military
men and by the people rs OF the utmost
importance. N the river and harbor bill
was worth the paper ON which Il was writ.
ten, q. Is the most important waterway
project al IL. II ran through a dcnscly
populated region, tecming with Industries
AMI ccmniyiro, and was Congress The
asked 10 appropriate S22,0O,O 900 Tor river,
and harbors and 20 higglc about a propOsi
ton which was intended to connect thu
great lake system with the Mississippi
rivcr7 lie regarded the two propositions
N Two oil the most important IN the bill
and II they were 10 be "whistled down the
wind. !" and all the little streams Of th'
country were 30 bc dug out aud enlarged
lac would feel very little interest 20 "swal
, ls,s 4l.s su,,s" o. ise hill. lie Warned ,h'
, senators that II they run the hill On tn
nero local idea that all was desirable wa
10 get 5000 for little creek OF 900 70
a little harbor, they had mistaken thl
feeling aud sense Of the people rs rcspcctc'
internal commerce. Every civilized natiul
except the United States made large ~
penditurcs Of public money for canals aus
Waterways. France aud Great llrtall
were honeycombcd with canals.
Mr.. German favored the proposition IA
the survey Of a canal from laSallc Il
Lake Michigan, but moved TO strike on
the words "And capable Of carving no
teas than Coo, 900 cubic feet Of water pc
, minute flowing at the rate OF two miles pc
I, hour" Tho motion was agreed 10 an'
he amendment ~ modified was agrccd Ia
, II reads For the purpose Of securing
continuous nayigabo waterway bctwcci
Lake Michigan and the Mississippi rive
having capacity and facilities adequate 70
the passage II tho lasgcat Mississippi rive
steamboats, and of naval vessels suitnbl
for defense In time OF war, the Sccrtar
= of War isauthorizcd and directed a. caus
|. 90 be- made the proper surveys, plans an
4 estimates for n channel improvement an
locks and dams la the beds Of the lllinoi
aud Dcrplaincs rivers from laSallc I
: l.ockport, 90 rs 30 provide n nayigbl
waterway not less than 100 feet wi'lc an
J. not less than fourteen feet deep, and
have surveyed and located channel lror
!, lockport 10 Lake Michigan, at or near th
city Of Chicago, such channel 10 be suit
u able for the purposes Aforesaid, the nccc'
: sary expenses OF such surveys, estimates
plans aud location 10 be- paid out Of ia
, sum herein appropriated for the improve
Z mcnt oi the Illinois river.
Tho amendment directing the Scctctar
" Of War 10 locate n canal from the Illino
river at llenncpin 90 the mouth Of Roc
J. river, was then agreed 10, after q protci
by Mr. Vest that II would commit III
a government absolutely 10 the constructio
OF the canal, Senators German and Bee
= denying that II did 10, and Mr. Allison d'
y clining 10 commit himself ono way or tll
% other. Tho Inst amendment 10 bc ncie
upon was the insertion Of n provisio
!. a6olishing the Missouri river commission
= Mr.. Vest spoke Of the utter decay I
commerce Of rivers and canals, there M
!, being now single steamboat on III
Missouri river between Kansas City M
m 81. Louis That was something bcyon
n the power Of Congress 10 prevent, bccaui
time was the great element In commerce
IN lie recognized, however, that canals an
n rivers we're imncasuuby valuable iacto
ii In checking oxorbitanl rates Of railroad
n and therefore favored them.
"a Mr.. Beck moved 10 insert an Item
Io $50. 600 for the purchase Of the Green IN
10 Barren river Improvement In koniuck
10 Agreed TO.
n Mr.. Berry moved 10 Increase the Apr
4. pria,ion for White river, In Arkansas, fro
5000 10 s25, 900. Agreed 10.
u The bill and amendments were then :
OF ported from the committee Of the whole
4. The Senate, and the amendments
81 which separate votes were not asked we
10 agreed 10. Separate votes were demand,
ON tho IIennepin canal amendment q
no amendment abolishing the Missouri nv
~ commission and the amendment for 4
III purchase Of the Green and Barren river u
y, provemcnt In Kentucky; but there bel
vi no quorum present no further progr'
:. | =. ...Jo nth tho hiil and tho Sonf