The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-04
cHIcAGo's SHIP CANAL.
Importance OF the Work Urged by
Judge Prendergast-

CHICAGO, jan 2--Judge Richard Prendergast,
In his inaugural address to-day as president of
the Chicsgo ship canal trustees, made some
notable utteranees. After outlining the present
immense water power that would be created at
the western edge OF the city on the Detplaines,
making possible the construction there Of per
hsps the greatest mills on the continent, Judge
Prendergasf sid:
the general subject OF such q waterway As it
IL the policy OF the state of Illinois 70 cooper
ate In constructing, includes branch which in
TIE peaceful and profitable days Of commercial,
industrial and agricultural activities is not
borne in mind by the masses Of the people, and
YET which ls important 70 al Of them.
The Judge refers TO the restriction oil our naval
force on the great lakes By treaty with Great
them were a mighty wilderness Now the lakes
are bor6ered with regions Of dense population,
and great cities all along their shores British
Canadian authorities AZ the expenditure OF more
tAs1 Sa.oa,aso, have constructed q series of
waterways between the lakes and Atlantic sea-
beard Of such dimensions that over rs war YES
sels on the British naval list can pass into the
great lskes, and tn addition IL hes been the
policy OF that government 10 foster the conxtruc-
tor OF steel vessels for commercial purposes 70
nayigs'e Canadian waters, susceptible OF use Is
armed cruisers IN case OF hoSftiities.
he mentions the system OF armament on Van
coryer island, commanding Puget sound, etc,
and says.
.sin addition 70 all this, Is well ss the British
military AID naval stations that circle our coun-
try IN other waters we have upon our northern
ffolile-s rich, strong and vigorous country
and people, bound By many ties 10 England
presenting sii along our borders q magnificent
sysfen Of offensive snd defensive utilities. sud
Up 70 this hour the government Of the United
states has done substantially nothing 10 meet or
cope WITH . hostile demonstration from this
scarce-
II he federal government has SURVEYED Lake
Peoria which Is but widening o! the Illinois
river near the CITY Of Peoria. and naval experts
bare pronounced i an adequate and available
tise for government station for the eonstrue-
ton, E2neuverlng and steering of TORPEDO gun
beats Indeed, the mos. Of the investigation
and expenditures made by the federal govern.
rent In Illinois river have had relation %
the subject Of ultimately perfecfing its
accessibility from the Mississippi river
70 Lake Michigan, but OF course such
station would he an stSgrdify IN so Gar as II
Nistes 20 the LAKES without q channel for the
passage OF vessels froEn 20 To the lakes and there
y 20 DOUBT the construction Of main channel
aaceo os The logic OF the si.uation and O. events
VIII compel the construction Of the REMAINDER
az The waterway BY the federal government
which. smong other things. would act in the
construction OF such naval station near the
city cf Peoria"
After resume OF what re considers the trs-
rnsndous probable commercial etEects OF the
esnal, Judge PsendeTgast. in conclusion, said.
~ Zen Marquette, Joliet. IA sale and Heune-
PIN EiAue Their wezry marches 20 reach the river
q pV soto they walked the Way al destiny This
valley regi1n, formerly highway OF waters. has
become and must become more and more high
way OF commerce"