Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-06-04
CHICAGO, H., June 2, Is


Such a crowd pervades the Garden City
to-day, that even its wOnted activity, bus
tie and Broadway air is doubled.
The delegates to the Ship Canal Conven-
tiOn began to come in last week, and the
hotels had all their desirable rooms en-
gagged by letter or telegraph week ago,
and by yesterday morning scarce an attic
could be procured in which the wsyfaring
man could lay his head. The tent which
was provided for the occasion was furnish
ed with seats for 4, 700 persons, all of
which are filled to-day. Representatives
Of business interests from Maine to Kan
sas are here to forward the great national
scheme which it is the object Of the Con-
vention to promote. Ohio contributes q
large proportion of the delegates; Cleve-
land, Toledo, and nearly all the cities in
the State send some Of their best citizens.
But Cincinnati is not represented. She
feels that the proposed Ship Canal may in
terfere with her eastern railway connec-
tiOns, las it certainly wilD and her dele
gates therefore decline to attend. The
same is true Of Philadelphia, which as
sumes to see in the scheme only project
for the aggrsndizement of New York City
and State. It is not presumable, however,
that the objections Of these cities will out
weigh the principles of public safety
which prompt the speedy accomplishment
of water connection between the lakes and
the rivers. The annual commerce Of the
lakes is estimated as already double that
Of our foreign commerce, and the accom-.
plishment of this plan will increase that
disproportion almost immeasurably in IA
vor Of the former. The Convention is
called to demand of the Government re-
cognition Of the great West as cO-equsl
with the East. And If she is thus equal
it is but simple justice to ask that all
available means be taken to increase her
opportunities for defense against any for
eign foe. An enlarged canal from the
lakes to the Mississippi, and ship canal
around Niagara Falls, are matters demand.
ed by common foresight and prudence
They are no faUor8 asked for the West, but
rights which the Government should IN
hesitatingly grant. This is merely the mill.
tary view. As a matter Of social and ma
tional economy, the aspect in favor of the
proposed work is equally strong. Every
farmer and producer in the West is inter
ested through his pocket; while the masses
of the great Eastern world look with hope
and longing to a system which will ensure
him an abundant supply of the necessaries
Of life, for which he is dependent upon
the prairies Of the West.
A few facts will illustrate the correct.
ness Of this statement. The receipts ol
-four and grain at Chicago during the five
months Of1868 just closed, show an increase
over the same period Of 1862, of about fvc
million of bushels. OfcOrn alone the receipts
foot up nearly nine millions Of dollars
against four millions, six hundred thous-
and of the year before. It is we'll known
to all shippers and vessel owners that the
carrying trade of the past two years has
taxed to the utmost the carrying facilities
Of the lakes, canals and railroads. If such
an increase as this is 10 be annually look
ed for, there must evidently be a cores
ponding increase in the means of trans
portation. The shipments Of grain and
-four from the port of Chicago have in
creased from seventy-eight bushels in
1888 to over ffty-fUe millions in 1862. So
much for the grain trade. In provisions,
the results are equally astonishing. Du-
ring the last year the number of hogs
packed in Chicago exceeded the great
PorkOpOlis Of Cincinnati by four hundred
thousand head. These facts we gather
from the statistical tables il the Chicago
Tribune Of this evening. They illustrate
better than mere assertions can do the i'm
pOrtance of the system which this Conven-
tiOn proposes to put in practice.
The Convention held a merely prelim-
mary meeting this morning, listening to
an interesting address by Hon. George
Brainard, and appointing Committee Of
two from each State to present a report
upon permanent organization this after
noon. Judge spalding, of Cleveland, and
Mr.. Bissell, of Toledo, we're the two Ohio
representatives. Vice President Hamlin
is here and is strongly urged for the Pres
idency of the Convention, upon the ground
tlstno possible charge could be brought
against him Of favor Of any particular in
terest.
As I close the Convention is gathering
for the afternoon session. 8. D. P.