Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-09-15
THE CANAL ROUTE.
Cap. Marshall Reported as saying
the sonth Roate WouId be APP

cap. Marshall Reported as Saying
the sonth Roate Would be Ap.
proved.
Today's Chicago Herald contains the
following:
Captain W. L. Marshall returned yes>
lerday from the meeting of the United
states engineers on the Hennepin canal
row at Rock Island. General Poe, of
Detroit, and Major Mackenzie. of Rock
Island. gave their opinions to Captain
marshall, and he is now engaged in pre-
pairing the report to the secretary OF
war. Captain Marshall could not di>
vuige what the board has decided upon,
out from the circumstance that he
was selected to draw up the report
1t is quite likely that the so.cal,ed
southern route for the Rock Island
can al at Rock Island. as originally SCI
lec,ed by him, has been susi aimed by the
board 1t was against this route that the
people OF Rock Island rose in arms and
took the quarrel before the war depart
ment. resulting in the appointment of the
board. The season is now so far gone
that nothing in the way of actual canal
construction can be done this year. The
condemnation proceedings for the south
ern route cannot begin at Peoria until
October, and 1t will be spring before they
are decided. A year has been wasted in
the trouble at Rock Island
The danger of Rock Island obtaining
such reputation as this is what THE
ARGUS conteEded against from the first
and while the Herald's statement is over
estimsted, there is no doubt that Rock
Islands coed name has suffered through
the selfish persistency Of some Of its citi-
zens, and the canal as measure has not
been bent fitted by the sq1abble over the
route. But this does not agree
with the statement in this morn
| ing's Union that the north route would be
adopted. THE ARGUS continues to MAIN
tsins the theory advanced Yesterday
that the south route would either be ap-
proved, or that new line would be con-
sidered from Turkey island to the site
of the old distillery or thereabouts. 1t is
devotedly TO be hoped the latter will be
adopted, but the decision of the engi-
neers ought to set aside all kicking no
matter what it Is. That the north route
below Turkey Island is out of the CUES,
ton there is no doubt. Our only hope
now is for the new line spoken of.
How amusing it is to see the Unions
attempt to place Capt. Robinson's atti-
tide toward the canal terminus in any
thing having the semblance of other than a
purely selfish disposition. Itsays 1.-THE OBJ
lec,ions on the score of undue expense and
reserved rights, were equally met, one by
one, and Capt. Robinson's take all YOU
want was the spirit of all the property
holders along the north shore" We
don't know what the other prop
erty holders offered, but no doubt
they were willing. As far as Capt.
Robinson is concerned he has made no
proposition to the government that did
not have q string tied to it from the $780,
000demsnd which drove the canal to the
south side of Rock river down, and his
last agreement was that he was to have
IS 900 for any rights the government
might desire. OF course he would be
willing to say take all you want at that
rate. The captains generosity is re-
markable. 1t is proverbial.