Encyclopedia Dubuque
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SHIP CANAL: Difference between revisions
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The legislatures of Iowa and Wisconsin endorsed the project of a canal around the upper and lower rapids on the Mississippi. (2) It was suggested that the development of the land west of the Mississippi would develop more quickly if transportation of materials and products could be improved. The canal was characterized as "pushing Lake Michigan up to the front of Iowa by which transportation to the lakes would be reduced one-third. The canal would, it was argued, break down monopolies for conveying products, have the potential to double the price of all agricultural land west of the Mississippi, add ten-fold to the value of all city property on the Mississippi, double the value of all east and west lines of railroad west of the Mississippi, and make Iowa and Minnesota first class manufacturing and commercial and well as agricultural centers. (3) | The legislatures of Iowa and Wisconsin endorsed the project of a canal around the upper and lower rapids on the Mississippi. (2) It was suggested that the development of the land west of the Mississippi would develop more quickly if transportation of materials and products could be improved. The canal was characterized as "pushing Lake Michigan up to the front of Iowa by which transportation to the lakes would be reduced one-third. The canal would, it was argued, break down monopolies for conveying products, have the potential to double the price of all agricultural land west of the Mississippi, add ten-fold to the value of all city property on the Mississippi, double the value of all east and west lines of railroad west of the Mississippi, and make Iowa and Minnesota first class manufacturing and commercial and well as agricultural centers. (3) | ||
In a later editorial, the editorial page of the ''Herald'' suggested that farmland in Illinois and Wisconsin was 100% higher than in Iowa because these states bordered on the Great Lakes. This, the editorial continued, left them free from freight blockages and railroad monopolies. The paper suggested that if land values in Minnesota and Iowa only increased $2.50 per acre it would mean $200,000,000 to the two states. A report of a Mr. June, engineer of the Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement, provided an estimate that improvement of those rivers with canals and locks would cost $1,250,000. Improvements on the Upper Mississippi River would "lead to cities rivaling Cincinnati and Louisville on the Upper | In a later editorial, the editorial page of the ''Herald'' suggested that farmland in Illinois and Wisconsin was 100% higher than in Iowa because these states bordered on the Great Lakes. This, the editorial continued, left them free from freight blockages and railroad monopolies. The paper suggested that if land values in Minnesota and Iowa only increased $2.50 per acre it would mean $200,000,000 to the two states. A report of a Mr. June, engineer of the Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement, provided an estimate that improvement of those rivers with canals and locks would cost $1,250,000. Improvements on the Upper Mississippi River would "lead to cities rivaling Cincinnati and Louisville on the Upper Mississippi." (4) | ||
The [[PEOSTA HALL]] was tentatively scheduled for the meetings and the railroads had been convinced to transport delegates to the canal convention for half price or free. The [[NORTHWESTERN PACKET COMPANY]] agreed to carry delegates for two-thirds rate if there were twenty people from the same town. A mass meeting of local citizens was scheduled for the [[COURTHOUSE]] to elect seventeen delegates to the Ship Canal Convention to be held in Dubuque on May 4, 1864. [[RICHARDS, Benjamin B.|Benjamin B. RICHARDS]] was the chairman. (5) | |||
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4. "The Ship Canal--Its Need and Advantages," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', April 26, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640426&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | 4. "The Ship Canal--Its Need and Advantages," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', April 26, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640426&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | ||
5. "The Canal Convention," ''Dubuque Democratic Herald'', April 27, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640427&printsec=frontpage&hl=en | |||
Revision as of 00:18, 30 August 2015
SHIP CANAL. During the winter of 1863 a canal convention was called at Des Moines. The idea met with great interest in the states along the Upper MISSISSIPPI RIVER. The McGregor News stated that "a ship canal is absolutely necessary to develop the resources of Iowa and Minnesota." (1)
The legislatures of Iowa and Wisconsin endorsed the project of a canal around the upper and lower rapids on the Mississippi. (2) It was suggested that the development of the land west of the Mississippi would develop more quickly if transportation of materials and products could be improved. The canal was characterized as "pushing Lake Michigan up to the front of Iowa by which transportation to the lakes would be reduced one-third. The canal would, it was argued, break down monopolies for conveying products, have the potential to double the price of all agricultural land west of the Mississippi, add ten-fold to the value of all city property on the Mississippi, double the value of all east and west lines of railroad west of the Mississippi, and make Iowa and Minnesota first class manufacturing and commercial and well as agricultural centers. (3)
In a later editorial, the editorial page of the Herald suggested that farmland in Illinois and Wisconsin was 100% higher than in Iowa because these states bordered on the Great Lakes. This, the editorial continued, left them free from freight blockages and railroad monopolies. The paper suggested that if land values in Minnesota and Iowa only increased $2.50 per acre it would mean $200,000,000 to the two states. A report of a Mr. June, engineer of the Fox and Wisconsin River Improvement, provided an estimate that improvement of those rivers with canals and locks would cost $1,250,000. Improvements on the Upper Mississippi River would "lead to cities rivaling Cincinnati and Louisville on the Upper Mississippi." (4)
The PEOSTA HALL was tentatively scheduled for the meetings and the railroads had been convinced to transport delegates to the canal convention for half price or free. The NORTHWESTERN PACKET COMPANY agreed to carry delegates for two-thirds rate if there were twenty people from the same town. A mass meeting of local citizens was scheduled for the COURTHOUSE to elect seventeen delegates to the Ship Canal Convention to be held in Dubuque on May 4, 1864. Benjamin B. RICHARDS was the chairman. (5)
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Source:
1. "The Ship Canal Convention," Dubuque Democratic Herald, April 22, 1864, p. 4, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640422&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
2. "The Ship Canal," Dubuque Democratic Herald, April 24, 1864, p. 4, Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640424&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
3. Ibid.
4. "The Ship Canal--Its Need and Advantages," Dubuque Democratic Herald, April 26, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640426&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
5. "The Canal Convention," Dubuque Democratic Herald, April 27, 1864, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A36e8EsbUSoC&dat=18640427&printsec=frontpage&hl=en