Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-06-05
THE SHIP CANAL CONVENTION.
Editorial Correspondence. ]


calculated to harmonic the different in
terests represented at the Convention, by
recommending such measures and such
only, as are msnifestly of the highest i'm
portance. They were we'll received and
adopted unanimously. Much good is eI-
pected to result from this oonvening of the
practical business men Of the country.
They have come here after much thought
and investigation of the subject proposed
in the call, and each has been ready to
suggest what in his opinion was the true
course for the Government to pursue. All
are agreed that while the commercial ad-
vantsges Of the canals proposed would be
incalculable yet the appeal for Gov
ernment help should not be placed upon
that basis. It is only as a military ne
eessity" that Congress is asked to adopt
and complete the work. That it is nothing
less than this, no man can doubt who has
examined the subject.
The commercial statistics presented by
Mr.. Ruggles of New York, in connection
with his resolution, noted below, are ap-
psrently unanswerable. The gentleman
(wbO is perfect cyclopedia of facts and
hgures) showed that it is from the prairies
Of the West that the future revenue is to
be received, and the greater the facilities
for transporting the products of these
prairies, the surer will be the fOunda-
ton for future stability and wealth.
As an educator of the people, this Con-
vention will accomplish a great deal. Its
discussions and decisions and the results
Of those decisions, will be widely published
to the world, and even the school boy will
learn from them more knowledge of the
topography and general features of the
Northwestern States than the general man
of business has known heretofore. The
portages or carrying places between the
lakes and the Mississippi will be surveyed
and the advantages Of each made known /;
and the knowledge thus obtained will be
Of vast importance to the uncessing swarm
of emigration toward the Western States.
This meeting, therefore, even in the posi-
bility Of nothing more coming Of it, will
bring population and consequent wealth to
the States in which the proposed improve
ments are located.
But there is no danger that the subject
will now be dropped The Committee in
whose hands the matter is now left is COM
posed of men who will energetically and
judiciously use the power committed to
them. The names of Isaac N. Arnold Of
Illinois, Philo Chamberlain of Ohio, Calvin
E. Day Of Connecticut, H. L. Dawes Of
Massachusetts, A E. Lowe of New York,
and their coIaborers, as furnished you by
telegraph, are sufficient guarantee that
not many years will elapse before these
communications are completed, if energy
and ability on their part can have proper
effect upon national authorities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE DAY.
After the reporting and adoption of the
main resolutions, resolution for the ap-
poiniment of committee Of five engineers,
to report upon the probable cost of the
canals proposed, to which all estimates
shall be submitted, was reported, the sew
eral States in which the proposed improve
ments are located to submit to that commit
tee Of engineers estimates of the probable
Oost Of these improvements.
This resolution created SO much discus
sion that Mr. Foster, the original mover,
withdrew it.
Mr.. Ruggles offered the following resc-
luton:
RssolUed, That this Convention is of the
opinion that the increased stimulus given
to agriculture and commerce by increasing
the facilities for transporting western pro-
ducts by the proposed enlargement Of the
canal, will so far increase the foreign COM
meroe Of the country that import duties on
return csrgOes will very far exceed the
interest on the cost Of the proposed works,
and produce fund for its rapid reimburs-
ment. Carried, unanimously.
Mr.. R. made a few statistical remarks,
showing the truth of the financial prOpO-
sition. He set forth the extent of the
grain and pork trade of the West, and
what would be its future If these canals
be completed. He followed the course of
the corn Of the West Cof which the great
question has been how to get it to market)
through its incarnation, the hog" to
Europe, where it buys a corresponding val
ue of foreign fabrics, which pay Mr..
Chase an import duty in gold, with which
he pays the interest on the Public Debt
Mr.. Chase, therefore, looks TO the hog to
release him from financial embarrassment.
The facts and statements given by Mr..
Ruggles was very interesting and were
acceptable.
Several resolutions Of thanks to the Of
fcers Of the Convention by the citizens of
Chicago and others were accepted.
Mr.. Hamlin returned his thanks for
having had the pleasure and the honor Of
presiding over the Convention. His efforts
would always be devoted to the develop
ment Of the resources Of the country and
advancing its interest. [Applause.l You
may leave New England "out in the
cold" ("never,') but she will cling to the
West, as she ill to all in the Union. The
only complaint that he of New England
had to make was that so many Of her sons
had deserted her to come to the West
Loud calls were made for General Cor
eoran Of New York, whom Mr.. Hamlin in
troduced as "one who talks very well, but
he fights better" The General said that he