The Alliance-independent. (Lincoln, Nebraska) 1892-1894, December 22, 1892, Image 2

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    THE PLATTE CANAL
Great Scheme for BuildiDg a Canal
Along tha Plalte Bivtr A Com
pany Organized-
THE STATE SHOULD BUILD IT.
The Feasibility and Great Advantages of
Such a Canal Demonstrated
The Kearney Canal, an
Object Lesson.
A Great Work Proposed.
Editorial.
The scheme to construct a great
canal clear across Nebraska ah.nx the
Platte river is not a new one. It Las
been discussed by many, and stveral
efforts have been made to organize for
the construction of euch a canal. It
has been one of the many favorite
schemes of Col. W. W. Patterson of
Kearney. Several years ago, w heard
the Colonel, in his eloquent way,
demonstrate the feasibility or con
structing such a canal, and dilate upon
the immense advantages which euch a
work would bring to the state.
A new impetus has lately been given
to this agitation, and a company of
Omaha capitalists has just been fot med
and incorporated for tte purpose of
building the canal. It is kt.o.vn as the
Omaha Canal Company.'
The articles of incorporation of the
Omaha Canal and Power company have
been filed with thj secretary of state.
The principal place of business is
Omaha and the nature of the business
to be transacted is to be the construc
tion and maintenance of canals, water
ways and dams and the development of
power by water, and the transmission
of such power by electricity or other
wise, and to furnish the same to pri
vate and municipal corporations and
individuals; also to construct, build and
maintain irrigating ditches aud fur
nish water therefor, to transport
freight by boats or other water craft.
The capital stock is $3,000,000 and the
Incorporators are II. Kountzo, II. T.
Clark, B. . Smith, Prank Murphy,
George L. Miller, S. L. Wiley and
George E. Barker.
THE FEASIBILITY
of constructing such a canal can hardly
be questioned. It was demonstrated
by the construction, several years ago,
of a canal eighteen miles long in Buf
falo county, known as the "Kearney.
'canal." The canal begins -6r below
the level of the P,la.t eighteen miles
west 01 jvearmvy. The Kearney end of
the eanaj, 'oa tho bluffs norta of thti
Y "where several beautiful lakes have
been constructed eighty feet above the
level of the river. There Is enough
fall in the canal to give a good current
and the water flows the year round.
It is well known that, in that part of
the state, the Platte becomes entirely
dry almost every summer. This at
first view would appear to stand in the
way of success in constructing such a
canal. But it does not. In fact it is
a matter ot no consequence whatever.
Just beneath the surface of the sandy
bed if a great sheet of water slowly
flowing through the sand, and reaching
out for miles on each side of the river.
This is known as the "under flow."
The Kearney canal is so constructed as
to utilise this underflow. The result is
that the volume of water carried by
the canal in the dry season is practi
cally aj great as that carried by It in
the wet season. All that is necessary
for the construction of such a canal
to arrange at its head for catching this
underflow, and carrying it out onto the
higher ground where the soil rests on a
solid clay.
THE ADVANTAGES.
TV. . i i . v .
.uo uses 10 wnien sucn a canal can
oe put are many and its advantages
correspondingly great.
First It could be used for the trans
poriauou 01 neavy freight oin vast
quantities, whether grain, etc., going
out and coal coming in. Freight could
be carried far more cheaply than by
ran. I he canal would furnish compe
tition with the railroads, and force
them to reduce rates or lose the carry
ing trade of the whole Platte Valley.
Branches could be constructed along
a number of the streams flowing into
the fiatte, and these advantages could
thus be extended to a large part of the
state, o
Second The canal would furnish al
most unlimited power for the running
of mills, factories, electric power and
light plants, etc. The utilization of
the current for water power purposes
need not cause any dimination of the
volume of water, for the great fall
would make it easy to use the water
for power and then turn it back into
the canal at a lower level.
Third All the water that could be
spared could be used for irrigation pur
poses. If the canal were properly con
structed with feeders from the Platte
at convenient points to replenish its
volume, a vast amount of water could
be used for irrigation. While the rain
fall of the Platte Valley is most years
sufficient for the raising of good crops,
it requires no argument to prove that
crops many fold greater can be pro
duced by irrigation, and that farmers
long the line of the canal would be in
dependent of the seasons.
These advantages would accrue not
onlv to the country and other cities
lying along the canal, but to the whole
state. The wealth of the state would
bo vastly increased. Freight rates
would be forced down on all lines which
would have to compote with canal trans
oortation, and that would fcave th
effect of rtducinir at3a all over 'the
state.
This canal would in fact be the great
est work of internal improvement that
could possibly be made.
In view of all these facts the question
naturally arises. Why should not the
state construct own and operate this
canal? Is there a single valid reason
why it can not, and should not.
While many advantages might come
from the construction of such a great
work by a private conoration. many
others would not.
Let us see what are some of tha dis
advantages of having such a canal built
by a corporation:
Tlrst The capital for constructing
it would doubtless bo furn'shed : to a
considerable extent by the people liv
ing along the line. Counties, precincts
and cities would vote bonds to secure it
These bonds would constitute a dona
tlon pure and simple. The rest of the
capital would be secured by selling the
bonds of the company most likely to
foreign capitalists. The stock held by
the members of the corporation would
consist mostly if not wholly of water.
If the canal paid large dividends the
stock would in time bo further watered
Not only th3 bonds of the company, but
the various county and municipal bonds
would be held either in the east or in
foreign countries, and the interest on
them would be a perpetual drain of
money from tho state.
Second It would soon centralize a
large amount of wealth in the hands of
a few men. The state would of course
have the right to regulate and control
charges for transportation on the
canal the same as on railroads. This
would bring the canal into politics.
And such a powerful corporation would
control, rather than be controlled by
the Btate, unless tiere shall be a great
change in Nebraska politics. As a
corrupting factor in our politics, as a
source of endless contention and strug
gle, such a corporation is, to say the
least, exceedingly undesirable.
Third The charges for transporta
tion, power, and irrigation privileges,
instead of being reduced to cost of
A MANTS VIEW.
IJow lie Hellavea la Kringluff up Btt
ChUfrca.
A wan whose son and daughter are
models of behavior as regards their
perfect manners, confided to the
writer that he had an unfailing sys
tem in the bringing up of children
that had worked so well with his own
that he was trying the sane thiDg
witn ins nttle granddaughter, and so
far with the success that attended his
former efforts.
Said he: "Many children are de
pnved of everything when they are
small and surfeited when they grow
older. The first glimpses of so much
that they have heretofore never seen
or tasted bewilders them and they ac
most awkwardly and are self-con
Bciuua uuu emoarrasseu. with my
children I gave them everything in
great quantities at the start. If they
lined candy they were given more of
it than they could eat, and 6oon the
little piece sufficed.
"With toys it was the same wav.
Other children would go in a store and
want everything. Mine having had so
mucn either asked for nothing or dis
criminated in their choice.
"Jewelry was never withheld and
to-day my daughter is not seen with
overloaded hands and ferns worn at.
inappropriate times. On my table
was always used the best and it
was set in the most formal and elegant
manner, therefore, when my children
were old enough to go out in society
no. form could disturb their usual calm
or no display appear overwhelming, as
it often does to unaccustomed eyes. It
is the only way to do. Surfeit them
when little aud they will not make
shows of themselves when older."
The scheme is all very well if money
is no object, but many a parent has
methods equally successful that are
not quite so expensive, but, "Chacun
a son gout"
HOME.
IIU Flmt
A CENTURY IN ONE
Uncle Joncy" Field, Who Cant
Vote In 1817.
"Uncle Josey" Field of Middletown.
N. J., liars reached the ajeof 100 vears.
Joseph Field was born near where he
now lives, aud has never lived
elsewhere. Ho has alwavs bean a
farmer, and still spends much of his
time looking after farm work. His
parents came from Long Island in
1700, and in 1702 bought a larire tract
of land, part of which is the farm now
worked by Mr. Field. He was a bach
elor until he was 73 vears old. when
he married Euretta Headden, a neigh
bor's daughter. Mrs. Field bore
three children within a few years.
When the last one was a baby the
mother died. Two of the children
were girls aniUHie.a boy. The young
Erin
THE PENITENT SOUL,
la the arkne and Buenos at mmht.
Midii tha m'Bfrled stariirht aul gloom,
i w" ius pure uuna mi a ligni
Clear and strong, as sunshine at neo.
And across the darx azure vault.
Written in letters of pure silver and foii,
Purge thy so-J of tny own iberuued
ramus
Repent yo, be mauly, be bold."
And the light lmrnd bright thro' the
AaJ a 8ul touched with pathos and pain
i jiolu suauow ou-, into ilRtit,
And wiil ne'er dwell in darkuess again,
is stronger than earth
far stronger than
was miirriitil fr Wi inm T
service, would be raised just as high its j whiting, and she has a child. Or, his
circumstances would verif The birthdav Mr. FilH nnrl hi onii.
8,Vw w'-C'Wol the
roaus mignc, ana prooaoiy wouia, gain
a controlling interest in the canal.
Then instead of its competition reduc
ing freight rates, the rates of canal
transportation would be kept up to a
level with those charged on the rail
roads. If this should not happen, a
pool or combination would doubtless
bo formed between the railway and
canal corporations to keep up rates and
bleed the poople. Tho capital invested
in mills, factories, etc., would be at the
mercy of a grasping corporation, and
the farmers depending on irrigation
would be no better off.
The disadvantages of having the
canal built by a private corporation
would in fact outweigh all its advant
ages. It is time the people of this
country should stop delegating to pri
vate corporations rights and powers
properly belonging to the public. It is
time the peoplo began looking after
their own interests.
An agitation should begin at once
for the building of this canal by the
state of Nebraska. The canal is bound
to be built sometime, and the sooner
the agitation is begun the sooner will
the people see that it is to their in
terest to build, own and control it.
rail-
furest of the l'eoplc.
Will the old parties never learn
anything? Will they never learn
that there is a justifiable unrest
among the masses? Will they never
learn that the agricultural classes
have suffered so much injustice that
they moan to hew their way through
all opposition to an equitable adjust
ment of affairs as they exist between
them and the monopolies and trusts.
The readers of The Farmers oice
know that it has no objection to any
party that does its duty to the people.
But we insist that there should be a
recognition of the unrest of the peo
ple, an unrest that hits a mountain of
injustice to stand upon. That unrest
win swell and become more
urcu werepuoiosrapiiea togetner one
100 years old, the other I year. Mr.
Field's other two children live with
him and the bay, Joseph Field, jr.,
has charge of tlie farm. Mr. Field
cast his first vote in 1817 for the whig
candidate, lie has been a Republican
for years, but has never taken any ac
tive part in polities. He looks to be
75 or 80 years of age. He has always
worked hard and has been regnlar in
his habits. He has accumulated a for
tune and owns a large farm of the best
sort
Wrltlnff With the Left Hand.
The number of men who can write
legibly with the left hand is very small
in this country, where the fact of be
ing ambidextrous is not appreciated
at its full worth. Sir Edwin Arnold
remarked while in St. Louis that in
Japan every child is taught to write
with either and both hands, and he
hinted that this was not the only evi
dence of sound common sense he met
with while in the kingdom of the Mi
kado. I learned to write with my left
hand some years ago, in consequence
of the impression created in my mind
by reading the arguments of Charles
Reade on the subject, and now I
change my pen from hand to hand on
the first impression of weariness."
Fancy Kaines of the Pansy.
Though there are lovlier and more
magnirlcent flowers than it, yet the
pansy may be regarded as the general
1 - T i r ...
lavurue. it is ior mis reason, per-
naps, that it has so many popular
names, iiy some it has been called
"heart's-ease," but this title rightfully
belongs to the wallflower, because of
its supposed virtue as a cordial. There
is no doubt, however, that in various
times and places the pansy has been
styled by the following curious
budget of epithets: "Herb Trinity"
(from its three colors), "Love-and-
Idle," "Kiss-me-ere-I-rise," "Juimd-ud-
and- kiss-me, " ' 'Three- faces - u nder-a-
hood."
as the injustice continues. Who four
years ago would have supposed that
an independent or third party politi
cal movement could have carried
seven states in 189 especially when
a considerable portion of its last con
vention was so demagogic that it
urged the nomination of J. Q. Gresham,
then supposed to be a dyed in the wool
Republican, and since has become a
Democrat. But this independent
movement the People's Party, has
carried Colorado. Idaho, Kansas, Ne
braska. Nevada South Dakota and
Wyoming. This make3 thirty-five
electoral votes. It does not make any
difference what our politics are, it is
our solemn duty to recognize this
solemn remonstrance to the Infliction
upon the masses of what they regard
as, and which are in a large measure,
outrageous Injustice which must be
reformed either in the old parties ot
in new ones.
Wheu the Lawyer Hut Through.
Bilkins Don't you get Dr. Bijrfee
volcanic 1 wouian t have h-im to doctor a dog.
Uigfee? Why, he's
Wilkins Dr
famous.
"He doesn't know anything. He's a
perfect ignoramus. He doesn't know
a stomach from a brain. He doesn't
know a sick baby from a kicking-mule."
Why, he's a great medical expert.
He is called in all the famous cases in
court"
Yes, and I heard him cross-exam
ined and puzzled by a criminal lawyer."
ThrAlliance-Independent from
now till January 1, 1894, for only $1.00.
Subscribe now.
- " ' '
wkal He Thought.
Mrs. Williamson Don't let me hear
of your walking on the railroad track
again. Suppose a train should come
along and cut your legs off; then what
do you think you'd do?
Maurice I think I 'd have a pretty
hard time getting home.
WANTED.
White beans, honey, sorgham molasses
butter and eggs to sell on commission.
J. W. Hartley,
State Agent
For a love thit
friend's ,
And a friendship
man s,
Swept away the thin veil of illusion
Helped a mortal his own soul to scan.
And therj in the presence of the Highest,
'Neath the rays of an Infinite love,
A soul mounted up to the heights
With a h'ubt stronsr nd free as a dove.
T! e shadows fall over tho landscape,
I5ut the sunliirht i lias ; them away,
Anil a soul that h is turned from its error,
May walii in a whit.; lisrht everv day.
-M. VV. Wilkins.
Hold lour . ru fxl.
There is a uniform sentiment ier-
vading the whole a.my of industrial
reformers that this light for industrial
rearrangement must so oa after
electiou as well as before it and
must continue until the cause is won.
This is welL -In time of peace pre
pare for war' is as applicable to
peaceful politics as it is to bloody
strife, A convention should be
called in every state when the tur
moil of tho present is past and a
plan of campaign marked out and
then rigidly followed. And what
ever it is must be a camDaisrn of ed
ucation, of real, thorough education,
in which the reform newspapers and
the reform pamphlet and novel should
bo made to nlay a leading part And
it can all io without special sac
rifice to tb engaged, if they will it
so. ihe ople can be induced to
pay for th own education by going
about the nniter of making them do
so. in an intelligent wav. Mnv An
that now directly, but those that can
not be induced to do it in this way
can be induced to do it indirectlv
the same as they carry burdens for
the oppressor now without knowing
it They must be lead to unload
thoso burdens after tho same manner.
Thero is a plan in coutemplation to
propose towards this enJ. We hope
to seo it forrrulaled immediately. It
will give us at. least a powerful press
to invade the homes of those now ob
livious to reform principles. Tho
people must first know before they
can be made to feel, and they must
feel before they can be expected to
act Ihe reform Dress must ha th
pioneer in tho work. It must -be, as
it has been in the -past, 'onlv much
more so, the eyes ears and tongue of
the crusauo. And the reform papers
must be multiplied many fold. It can
'be done. The plutocratic press is
now the bane of reform, it must be
made to give way to a press of prin
ciples and truth. Examiner, Hart
ford, toon.
Will There !: f in c'
Will there be a panic next summer?
Let us see what the pointers are:
1. It is a fact that every great bank
panic has occurred the year following
a presidential election.
'J. It is a fact that once injabout sev
en years we have a small panic; and
once in about twenty years a big one.
It is a fact that there is a scarc
ity of money and that private debts
and bank credits are piling up moun
tain high.
1. It is a fact that the gold-bugs
are triumphantly giving the thumb
screws of contraction another turn.
o. It is a fact that Grover Cleve
land is going to represent Wall street
in its opposition to any relief to the
people even to the extent of oppos
ing free silver.
6. It is a fact that all business is
practically being done on credit in
stead of for cash.
7. It is a fact that things are decid
edly -shaky" in all lines and sections
of the commercial world.
8. It is a fact that the grab-alls are
about ready for another move on the
financial chess board in the great
game of confiscating the accumula
tions of the little fish through sheriff
and mortgage sales.
Everything points in the direction
of a -panic" within the next ten
months. Sentinel.
Do Tt FAH to Sec
Our Overcoats
JXt O.OO, JO.OOapd 5512.
They CANNOT BE EQUALLED for the money
Elsewhere.
li Meij's ai)d poij's SUITS
for Winter wear we will show you the best values to
be had. Come and see them at the
GJobe GJothipg f-iouse.
Cor O apd JOth St,
BEST WESTERN GOAL OUR SPECIALTY.
FARMERS' ALLIANCES, SCHOOL B0A.EDS AND CLUBS will,
save money by buying their
Coal Direct by tie Car Load.
Write for Prices.
i
Wholesale Goal Dealers, 1615 Curtis St..
Denver. Colo
w
iY TtE QLtOBE IS WQ-
THE
GLOBE!
A Keal Man This Time.
Daughter (delightedly) And didyol
really consent?
Father Consent? My stars! I had
to. The man demanded your hand
like a highwayman holding up a train.
Consent! My goodness gracious! I
believe, from the way he looked and
acted, he would have knocked me flat
if I hadn't.
uaugnter Oh, it ean't be. You
must have been dreaming. Why, when
he proposed to me he trembled so he
could hardly speak, and he looked so
haggard and weak I had to hurrv no
nd say yes' to keep him from faint-insr.
Pcrk Bred Poultry. White Plym
outh Rock. White Games, Partridge
Cochins, Toulouse Geese, White Hol-
iana xurneys, White Guineas, Pekin
Ducks. Eess in season. Prices low.
W. A. Baths, Jr.,
36tf Fremont. Neb.
USES NO OIL
HAS ROLLER BEARINQS.
HAS CHILLED IRON BOXES.
REQUIRES NO ATTENTION.
HAS A SOLID WHEEL
THE CLOBE IS AN ALL STEEL AND IRON MILL, AND HAS THE
LEAST NUMBER OF WEARING PARTS.
THE CLOBE HAS MORE POWER THAN ANY WHEEL OF ITS SIZE
IN THE MARKET, AND CAN BE BUILT ON A SOLID TOWER, AND WILL
ALWAYS BE FOUND WHERE PLACED.
THE CLOBE IS THE LIGHEST, SAFEST AND EASIEST RUNNING
MILL WHEEL IN THE MARKET, AND DOES NOT MAKE THREE REVO
LUTIONS TO GET ONE STROKE OF THE PUMP.
THE GLOBE IS THE IDEAL MILL FOR THE FARMER. THE
STOCKMAN AND THE IRRIGATOR.
BUY ONLY TUB GLOBB.
GEO. W. HOFFSrADT State Agent,
YOY O Street, Lincoln. Neb.
Please Mention This Paper.
Our Book List.
Our list of choice literature is made up of the best and most
reliable reform books, by the most noted writers. If you want to
keep posted on the great question? before the American people you
should consult the authorities, We name below a number of th&
best books published.
.50
.50
Have You Read
"Slghte and scenes in Colorado?"
"Sights and scenes in Idaho and
Montana?"
'Sights and Bcenes in Utah?"
"Sights and scenes in California?"
"Sights and scenes in Oregon and
Washington?"
"Sights and scenes in Alaska?"
This is a set of six books, beautifully
illustrated, full of story and legend as
well as valuable information for the
tourist, published by the passenger de
partment of the Union Pacific System.
Sent free on application and the receipt
of 2c for each book to cover postatro.
T. T. Mastin, C T. A., 1044 O St
E. B. SLOSSON, Gen. Agt,
Lincoln, Neb.
Gen. J. B. Weaver, A Call to Action. A valuable book that
snouia oe reaa oy every one, send lor a copy. Cloth and Gold
Stickney, The Railroad Problem. The greatest sensation of the '
year is this great book on the railway problem by a railway
president. Cloth edition has 14 illustrative diagrams $ ,50
Hamlin Garland. Mr. Garland is one of the brilliant writers of
our times, and his pen speaks eloquently in behalf of the toilinr
masses. The following are some of his best works: B
"Jason Edwards," Treating of Farm and Factory, ... rrt
,v"Main Travelled Road,' Six short stories,
"A Member of the Third House." The lobby in politics,'.'.'.'.'.' '50
Ignatius Donnelly, Csesers Column, The book of the centurv
"Dr. Huguet," Southern story with moral, . ,'
Opie P. Read. Amonsr American humorists Mr. T?ni ot.
the head, and "as a little humor now and then, is relished bv
the best of men" we add two of his books to our list Thev
are clean-and pure, and are worthy of a place in everv lihrnrw
"A Kentucky Colonel," ary ,n
' 'Emmet Bonlore, " A newspaper man vi
Copley Square Series, Comprising the following four' excellent
''Bond Holders and Bread Winners," King or
"Money, Land and Transportation," three essavs ';
lT.j,,.t.!nl 1 A tl 171 M .
luuuouiBi irecuuui, x uur aruciBs irom notea autnors 9L
"Esau, nr Tha Ttanlrnra Vi4m nianl '
Miscellaneous and special.
"Whither are we Drifting," Willey,
"The Farmers' Side," Senator Peffer of Kansas' '
"The Great Red Dragon," Woolf oik, . . . . -t
"Looking Backward," Bellamy 50
"A Financial Catechism," Brice 50
"A Tramp in Society," Cowdtry 50
"Pizarro and John Sherman," Mrs. Todd
"Money Monopoly," Baker 25
"Labor and Capitol," Kellogg. ... 25
'"In Office," Bogy 20
"Ten Men of Money Island", Norton 25
" " " " " German edition 10
"Geld, Schilling," German edition.... wa"" 10
"Seven Financial Conspiracies," Emery..!'"' 10
Sokgs and Music. 10
"Songs of the People." Gibson. Words onlv
"Songs of the People," Published in sheet mug'ic 18
Bend for catalogue and prices. Thev ar mi-,
"Labor and Alliance Songster . wntffZS? Bumber
it ii 11 ic 11" .' .,J 10
., Musie edition. '
"Songs of Industry," Howe ' b d covers- -25
Any book on this list sent rtost raM ' W -25
to Alliances or clubs wishing to purchase a librarr 06
on the list for only tl.35. Address J r' and
PAPERS CLOTH.
$1.50
$2.00.
81.2&
1 25
1.2S
k2 If
.25,
.50
1.25
1.25 n
1.25 I ;
1.25
1.00-
1.25
1.00
1.00
l.0-
1.25-
Per dez.
by ex
it
si.ie
2.00
2.50
Liberal discounts
11
. book
ALLIANOK PuSffiNtfi,',. I
i
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