The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-13

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chusetts Rhode Island New Jersey South Carolina, Geor
GA Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, and Ohio.
A committee was then appointed to nominate officers
for the convention. The convention reassenbled at four
O'Clock p. M but the committee not prepared to
port dispute had arisen among them by the attempt Of
some OF the friends of Thomas Corwn of Ohio, TO thrust
him forward as the most becoming present lie
the opposition, and had the good sense decline and Ed
ward Bates, of Missouri, nominated and appointed
PRESIDENT with number of vice presidents and secreta
ries committee also appointed todraught series OF
resolutions 10 report to the meeting.
The following letters, with many others, were read ON
the 9th inst.
The letter from, Colonel Benton.
ST., LOUIS June 20, 1917.
To Messrs, Wayman and others:
GENTLEMEN. In my brief addressed to you on my re-
,un from Jefferson expressed the g5atllcauen should
cago and made known the which would
prevent me from having that pleasure,
The lake and river navigation of the great west to pro-
which the convention is called very early had share
ofmy attention, and had doubt of the constitu
the circle of internal improvement by the federal govern
men when the object to be improved should be one Oh
The junction of the two great systems of which
occupy much of Countrywide northern lakes on one
oher-appeared to me to object of that character
and Chicago the proper point for eeotng l9 % na
St Louis newaPes in v9 o3'e ed nn@a nn
mani but Ise % Complete it Articles The ST. Louis En-
qurer of April, 1919 express the opinions which then
the same paper to the Secretary War, by Messs era
ham and Philips favor of that canal, (and which re
o o" upon w' aRe%c % favor s Of the Chicago
These gentlemen with Mr. John C. sullivan Of Missouri ns
from the sonth end Of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi
proposed to them to examine the ground between Gh
the construction of canal by the federal govern
men They did So and on their return TO ST LOUIS SUD
ted all their observations me and hence the pubca
War. l mention this to show that my opinions ON thus
subject of long standing and that the nationality OF the
Chicago canal and OF course, of the harbor its mouth
are by means new conceptions with me- But must con
Tess that did observe then, what have since scientific
falls of Niagara surmouned by shp canal and schoon-
or clearing from Chicago for Liverpool.
globe; and since the application of steam
power the propulsion of vessels the essential
qualities open navigation Speed, distance cieaPhes5
magnitude cargoes, all there and without the pes
ohe sea from storms and enemies The steamboat is the
ship OF the river and hnds IN the mississippi ana It's tfiou
the theatre for the diffusion OF Its USE and the
display OF its Wonderful river connected with seas
by head and by the mouth, stretching its arms towards
the Atlantic and the Pacific, lying IN valley, which Is
valley from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson's bay, drawing
its first waters not from rugged mountains, but rom ne
plateau of lakes in the centre OF the continent and in
the which take their course north to Hudsons bay
draining the largest extent OF the richest land, collecting tue
general market IN the sunny south and there TO meet
products Of the entire world Such is the Mississippi
And who calculate the aggregate OF its advantages, and
the magnitude of its future commercial results
Many years ago. the late Governor Clark and myself un'
valley of the Mississippi made it about $4,000 miles
which 10000 We're computed to unite above ST. Louis
streams which fiat keel, batteau could be float
ed, and justly for every tributary OF the humbes boata
central waters, but of the commerce upon them. OF this
immense of river navigation, all combined into
uepo of its trade presenting even now, in its infancy,
astonishing and almost incredible amount of commerce.
destined forever. 1t is considered inland
Counting by time and money, the true commercial
of distances and ST. Louis nearer to the sea
floe1
the distance between that city and the mouth OF the Mss
Spp mort H Of delivery by aw and has Collected 1 of
duties foreign imports during the current year. and, with
Ss Of s a
characteristics of seaport she entitled to the benefit OF
one fully and clearly as New York or New Orleans
About twenty years ago, moved in the Senate, and OBJ
tanned appropriation Tor survey OF the rapids OF the
Upper Mississippi; twas probably the appropriation
ever obtained for the improvement of the upper part
river, About twenty ve years ago. moved, and succeed
the improvement OF western riversit the first time
that river had been included Thus, the important
items OF the Chicago CANAL the rapids of the Upper Msss
spp aud the Missouri river among the first pro-
pose include Them within the circle OF internal improve
,icnt by the federal government have always been
friend of that system, but to its abuses and here lies
the difficulty, and the danger and the stumbling TO
Objects of general and national importance
can alone claim the attention OF the federal government
and of such objects believe all the departments
OF the govemme be united. Confined to them, and
The reach them, and the treasury sustain
them Extended local sectional objects, and neither
the constitution the treasury could uphold them.
National objects OF improvement are few in number,
definite character, and manageable by the
local and sectional Objects are lnnumcrape and indehic
and ruipous to the ueasurY Near twenty years ago. the
treasury threatened with demand Tor two hundred
millions of dollars for objects oil internal Improvements then
applied for and many OF them OF national importance
The cnormity balked the system and SO 1t mus
be again. il the proper discrimination is kept up be
local and national subjects 1t Is for Congress To
make that discrimination: the President cunnot lie must
reject or approve the bill whole. Here, them is the
point which the friends of the system, in Congress, must
exert all their care vigilance. No arbitrary rule
the admission exclusion OF proper Objects
but really national objects admit OF dispute and,
fined lhem apprehend but little danger OF losing bill
either executive vetoes, for OF Con
grcss
Very respectfully, genlemen your friend and fellow
citizen, THOMAS IL. BENTON.
Letter from S,ias Wright
CANTON, May 81 1917.
GENTLEMEN: Your circular, inviting attend " a
Northwestern Harbor and River Convention, to be assem-
bed AT Chicago OH the Monday of July next duly
received forwarded by Mr.. Whiting, of your committee
My attention had been previously called to The sub
iec by the invitation friend, city, the
convention and generously rendering me quarters in his
family during its sitting. forced, from the
private business inform him that could not make the
Journey the time named and the period which has
elapsed declined his invitation, has only tended
confirm the conclusion pronounced to him. Were posi-
bic for attend the proposed convention, without an
sacrifice should most gladly do
location gives strong feeling In reference to tho pros
pcriy safety of the OF the lakes. The sub
lec of the improvement OF The lake harbos is one which
Congress has rendered somewhat familiar
in Legislative aspect, while personal travel upon
the lower lakes made the necessity Tor these
provemens manifest TO my senses.
am that questions OF constitutional power have
been raised reference appropriations of by
Congress- the improvement tie lake harbors; and
am well convinced that honest have sincerely
tanned strong cupes upon this point; but all my observa