&2 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE 



Every dollar that has been wasted, or that may hereafter be 

 injudiciously applied in building railways, will react upon the 

 country generally. 



Experience is our great teacher. From the past we learn to 

 direct our forward movements. 



We have extensive and magnificent rivers and lakes in the 

 United States^ which, with some artificial water channels, are 

 of incalculable advantage for carrying heavy freights. 



The Erie Canal has a capacity greater than a half dozen first- 

 class railways. 



The lakes are unlimited in their capacity. The Mississippi 

 river can float the commerce of the world with an expenditure 

 of a few million dollars in its improvement. There are other 

 rivers and other water channels to be improved and constructed 

 that will deserve the consideration of the country. 



The experience of this country, as well as that of European 

 countries, leaves no chance for doubt as to the comparative 

 advantages of water, when practicable, over the iron rails, as a 

 means of moving heavy freights. 



Nine-tenths of the grain, shipped east from Chicago, goes by 

 water. 



Freights by rail, east from Chicago, are fifty per cent, cheaper 

 than they are west from there, except on roads within the 

 influence of the Illinois and Michigan canal. 



This canal saved to the producers of the West more than one 

 million dollars in 1873. When the improvements of the Illi- 

 nois river are complete, as contemplated, and the canal extended 

 from Hennepin, to some point on the Upper Mississippi river, 

 its influence for the good of the producers of the Northwest 

 will be millions upon millions. 



Your committee do not pretend to any attempt at justice to 

 this transportation question in this report. The documents 

 relating to the Continental Railway were placed in our hands at 

 too late a day in the session to examine and report with any 

 satisfaction to you or ourselves. 



The more we investigate the subject of transportation, the 

 more we are convinced of the necessity for regulating railroads 

 by law, and of beginning without delay the improvement of 

 such water channels as the public interest demands. 



All of which is respectfully submitted, with the hope that the 

 little herein said may do some good in leading us to a correct 

 conclusion and solution of this much-vexed question of trans- 

 portation. 



D. W. Dame, 



RoBT. HuNTEK, [ Committee. 



Jasgis" Allaj^, 



