Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-09-09
THE HGNNEPlN TERMINUS,
The Public Meeting Before the
Canal Commission
Davenport and Rock Island Repre
scented at the Ko oms of the I'm.
provenent Assoclat on This
Morntrg-The Addresses.

fSA'N AHSStahk NJ VIC Oh the
Rock Island Citizens Improve asso>
citation this morning called By Gen. Poe
Of the canal commission on determining
the terminus of the Hennepin canal, was
attended by large plumber of representa-
tive citizens of Rock Island and Daven-
port. Gen. Poe presiding. announced
the object of the meeting The question
OF utility. he said, was not before the
meeting. He.spoke of congress having
fixed the terminus at the mouth of Rock
river, and the questions that had arisen
as the proper route to that terminus,
Two lines hsd been surveyed and he ex
hibited map showing both, with the
north route in yellow, and the south in
red. There were some arguu ents in
favor OF each, not common to both.
1t was the purpose of the COM
mission to make comparison between
the advantages and Disadvantages of
both, and to consider especially the com
mercial and engineering relations to both
Gen. Poe then stated that the commission
would be GLAD to hear from any and all
present on the questions under consider
alton.
President Jackson, of the association,
stated that Rock Island hsd already been
heard by the commission and would like
to hear from Davenport.
B. F. Tillinghsst spoke on behalf of
the Davenport Business Mems associs-
ton, which was represented at the meets
ing by strong committee. The people
of Iowa, Mr.. Tnlinghsst said, had been
working for % years for the completion
of the canal, with one end in view-the
completion of the great PROJECT at the
earliest possible moment. The question
now was not one of route in any sensa-
but for the speedy construction of the
waterway, to The end that shippers might
have the benefit OF the reduction in rates
at the earliest day. 1t made no difference
which route was adopted. we want the
canal. Having full confidence in the
judgment of the engineers all that was
prayed for now was speedy report in
order that construction might go ahead
with as little interruption as possible.
D. n. Richardson of Davenport, took
practically the same view.
Capt. T. ]. Robinson stated that be
agreed with the gentlemen from Daven-
port with reference to the importance of
the canal above that of route, but he uu-
dertook to say that with q residence of 90
years here and familiar with the lay of the
land he ought to know more about it than
Capt. " heller. although be had the utmost
confidence in Capt. Wheeler's engineer
ing ability, He then wentinto an enumer-
alton of the advantages of the north route
speaking of it as the most spproschable.
Then again high water will cause
trouble. Cor fning the water within
dams will cause damage to bridges Capt.
Marshall here interrupted Capt. Robin
son, stating that on both of the routes
the canal will be submerged as far up as
the foot of Vandruff island, but on cit her
route the canal could be kept above high
water. That there are three basins on
the son,h side aud none on The north
side, unless you construct one"
Gen. Poe asked what special advan
tage to the northwest will the northern
route have over the southern route.
Capt. Robinson replied that there WAS
| no hsrbor on the south side.
Gen. Poe-NVhat is the use of con-
struc'ipg elevators on the low ground
why not build hem around here on the
high ground?
Capt Rooinsol-The canal can be car
ried down the present northern route un-
til the head of Turkey island, and then cut
| across until you reach the Mississippi
river; there yol then find high ridge
where elevators IAN be constructed so that
grain can be lifted up out of river boats
and transferred iato canal boats.
MsJ. ,Mackenzie-Do you think there
will be any transfer OF freight that has
been shipped 500 miles to'travel so miles
on railroads
j. S. Wylie-I am interested in seeing
this canal built az soon as possible be.
cause want to see living reduction on
ton of coal.
Gen. Poe-Do you think there will be
any difficulty In running the b,rges across
the Mississippi and making transfer
and having elevators on that side of the
river2
Mr.. Wylie-No sir; none. 1t is nat
ural that all transfers of western freight
will be made on the western
side of the Mississippi, and the produce of
western Illinois be made on the east bank
IN