Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-10-25
BURLINGTON HAWK-EYE.
The Davenper, Convention.

The Davenpert Convention.
Illness, from the time we left Davenport, and
while there until we reached st Louis prevented W
from giving . sketch Of the Rapids Convention held
On last Wednesday week. Although hastily and
somewhat crudely drawn up, our readers have seen
by the official proceedings, published in last,
the result Of that Convention. Upwards OF one
hundred delegates were present, and although much
talent was arrayed against the resolutions recom-
mending continuation of the work as commenced
by the late Lieut.. Lee, those resolutions were
adopted by majority ofafty votes. That majority
would have been much larger had il not been for
the absence Of several Of the delegates, occssoned
BY the lateness of the hour At which the question
was finally disposed OF.
In the early part Of the meeting Committee to
prepare business was appointed, who took the res.
possibility in addition to their legitimate and de-
fined duties, to report set of resolutions, setting
forth the necessity Of clearing the distractions in
the Rapids and recommending Congress, through
our Senators and Representatives in that body, to
make an adequate appropriation for excavating and
widening the channel in the Lower Rapids. Judge
Mason was not convinced that this was the best
mode Of improving the navigation, and he with COL
Curtis OF Keokuk made able speeches against the
resolutions and supported some of q less definite
character which he had introduced as . substitute.
Messrs H. w. Starr and D. Rorer advocated the
passage Of the majority resolutions the delivery
Of most able speeches. They took the ground that
Lieut.. Lees report and maps had been approvedby
government-that the work had progressed far
enough under his superintendent to show that it
was feasible and the most economical and speediest
way Of securing an uninterrupted free navigation
and that the construction of canal or dams and
locks would not only be work Of time, calling for
new surveys, but involving an expense that gov
eminent would not like to incur. Major Buford in.
terested the audience by "reminiscences relative to
his being the first officer sent out by government to
survey the rapids, many years ago. The meeting
was also addressed by Mr. Espy and other gentle
men. The vote was not taken till near twelve
O'Clock, when it resulted, have before stated,
in majority Of fifty in favor Of the majority reso-
buttons. We have every reason to hope that much
good will result from the action Of the Convention.
Editors Abouf.-Almost the whole editorial fra
ternity OF Iswa were in st Louis during the sitting
Of the Convention. Whether such absence from
their posts was serious loss to the readers of
their papers has not yet been ascerta,ned. We
however think that the shortcomings of editorial
ssfeed" for the last two weeks, will be more than
made up to these readers by the additional intel
lectual strength obtained by such reasonable relax
alton on the part Of our craft and Of their coming
in such close proximity to the tall minds of the ma
ton. The only reason we can assign for their not
being smarter and more sensible in their vacations
than they before. is the contemplation on their
return Of the sad reality that not enough has been
received from delinquent subscribers to pay their
expenses. The compliment of Col. Benton on their
being SO "well dressed" may afford them some
consolation, but it viii neither compensate the
mercer or the tailor.