The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1890-10-31

Canals
Three years ago the editor OF this
paper collected q vast number of
statistics regarding canals, including
maps of the larger ones, and esti-
mates as to cost. Labor in this di-
rection will soon be resumed. In the
light of modern engineering, and
modern transportation frauds, we
pronounce without any fear of the
contradiction of Time, that in 100
years from date all the freight of the
United States will be carried by water
transportation. Canals already
reach a speed, in Europe, of Is miles
an hour. The great and overwhelm-
ing advantage of canals, over rail-
ways, other than the cost, is the fact
that any man worth $500 may own
his own boat and transport his own
grain. The average cost of the canal
freightage is one mill per ton mile.
Our attention will be devoted to can
aling this northwest in a very few
weeks, as well as to the entire coun-
try. A clipping from an exchange
brought the matter to mind:
Remarks on the Hennepin Canal.
Mr.. Henderson, of Iowa. Mr..
Chairman, l hope the motion of the
gentleman from Georgia will not pre-
vail, and that this provision of the
bill will be retained. The Legislature
of my State has repeatedly appealed
to Congress for the enactment of this
legislation, and this was done again
in the strongest terms at the last
session of the Legislature. The adop-
ton Of this great feature will Justify
me with my people in voting for a
bill which otherwise it might be diff
ficult for me to support because of
tie provisions it embodies. 1 am
earnestly for this legislation and for
this canal for the following reasons.
which l desire briefly by state
First. 1t will connect over 600
miles of the navigable waters of the
Upper Mississippi with the naviga-
ton OF our Great Lakes. and then bv
the Erie Canal and the Hudson River
connect with the Atlantic Ocean at
New York.
Second. Because it's construction
would cheaper transportation from
the great food-producing valley of the
Mississippi to the great focd-con-
Stunning regions of the East.
Third. Because it will be constant
check on the great railroad trunk
lines and prevent excessive charges
Tor carrying freight.
Fourth. Because freight has been.
is, and can be carried by water at
about One-fourth to one-half the cost,
by rail.
Fifth: Because cheaper transpor-
tatlon has become an absolute neces-
sity to farmers, and all internal COM
merce is much interested therein.
Sixth. Because the great civilized
nations of the world, France. Austria.
Germany. Holland, England, Russia.
India, Canada, and other countries
have expended untold millions in the
construction of canals. In this the
New World may safely follow the Old
World.
Seventh. Here is the Mississippi.
with hundreds of miles of water way
constructed by nature, waiting to be
welded to the great lake system to
give vast water system bringing
the East and Northwest into close
relations. 1t only waits for the Gov
eminent to put in a small link, GER
talnly but a few millions, and bene-
fits will come at once to East and
West, benefits that cannot be over
estimated and benefits that wise leg
islation dare not longer keep from
our waiting and appealing people.
Congressional Record, page 5526.
May 25, 1890.