North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-03-13
CHE Timfs.
McGREGOR, MARCH Is, 1867.
d. Louis Convention.

u. Louis Convention.
We arc favored by Capt. Flcmming and
Hon. G. L. Bass with Memorial to Con-
gress relating to the improvement of the
Mississippi and its afluents, particularly
to the Improvement Of the Rapids. These
gentlemen were delegates to the Convcn-
ton we are obliged to them for courte-
sies. The memorial is too long for our
columns, but its statistics arc very inter-
esting and we condense The Miss and
Ohio river states number IA i; population
in 1860, II millions 1--WE give round num-
bers j coast line Sc, 900 miles coast line
Of the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Gulf,
$1,000. These rivers drain 1,7S5,267
square miles while the U. S. has only
millions in toto. In 1860 the U. s. had,
in all, 1853 million acres Of improved lands
and 244 millions unimproved. OF these,
the ii river States had 95 millions of the
Improved ncrcs and II millions of the un-
improved. In go tho q. s. valuation was
Is billion dollars-the river States 81 bill
lions. Thus The IA pay over half the tax
e., work more than half the land, have
the majority of population and have the
largest amount Of land to develop. In go
ths whole product was 81 900. 0OO, 900, the
foreign exports we're only 373 millions, or
less than oze-hfth of the whole, leaving
four ffths for domes tic commerce or home
exchange.
In the memorial we find a table giving
the productions of the Union and those of
the IA river States. We have taken the
trouble to reduce the bushels Of Wheat,
Corn, Oats and Coal, the tons Of Hay and
Hemp, to pounds, SOFAS to correspond with
the pounds Of Tobacco, Sugar, Cotton,
Wool, and Butter. The product Of the
Union in pounds is 495,7O9 millions or
495 billions the IA states, demanding
national attention in commerce. produced
$3.50 millions or nearly three-fourths of
the farming products of the Union. The
Hogs, Cattle, Horses, (including asses and
mules) and Sheep of the whole Union,
number lS9 millions the IA states num-
Der % millions or about half of the whole.
The total tonnage Of the Union in 1860
vas 5 millions, the IA states had one mil
lion of it. In 1866 our river tonnage was
millions. This rapid development is
only the beginning Of the trade on these
rivers and their tributaries. In view OF
the Importance Of these great arteries of
commerce, the memorialists represent that
tho rapids in the Mississippi and Ohio,
and the accrctions at the mouth Of the
Mississippi should be removed or improv-
cd. Four hundred and thirteen delegates,
representing Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa,
Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Penn
sylvania, Kentucky, Arkansas, Tennessee
and Louisiana, appointed by Boards of
Trade in these states, convened in St.
Louis, Feb. 18th and 18th and passed the
resolutions following. Congress is res
pectfully invited to turn an eye to the west
and inquire if so vast interests as we rep
resent should not receive national atten-
hon.
Resolved, That the interest. Of the whole
Mississippi valley, require the immediate
improvement, by the National Government.
Of tho Mississippi river, from Belize to the
Falls of St. Anthony, including especially
the bars at the Belize, the upper and low
or rapids, and the removal of obstructions
above those rapids and also of the Ohio
a. 10
tally the work at the Falls Of the Ohio
said Improvements to secure the nayiga-
ton of said rivers free from all tolls or
tribute.
Resolred, That the vast Importance of
such action as will secure the needed i'm
provenents at any early day, of the fol-
lowing rivers, is commended to the favora-
bic and earnest consideration of Congress,
viz: the Missouri river from its mouth to
Fort Benton the Illinois river; the Red
river the Tennessee river to Chattanoo-
ga; the Wisconsin and Fox rivers the
Arkansas river to Fort Smith; the Cum
berland to Nashville.
Resolced, That when the financial con-
dition of the country may justify, Congress
be requested to cause proper investigations
70 be made. as to the necessity of improv-
ing, hereafter, oil the other navigable riy-
crs of the Mississippi valley.
Resolced, That Congress should legis-
late on the subject Of bridging the Missis-
sippi and other navigsble rivers of the
United States, as will, while recognising
the equal importance of railroad and riv-
er transportation, karmonise both these
interests, b. securing proper facilities for
both.
Your committee recommend, in pursu-
ance Of foregoing objects, the appointment
OF committee consisting of one member
from each state represented in this Con-
vention, with subcommittee of FIVE to
prepare memorial to Congress demon
strating the national importance Of said
objects, and that each member of said
General Committee report to said sub-com-
mittee such statistics as will facilitate the
work. 1t is further recommended, that
the resolutions adopted, and the memorial,
be forwarded to Congress in the name Of
this Convention, by its president, and that
copies thereof be furnished to each senator
snd representative from the states of the
Mississippi valley.
On the outside OF this issue, it will be
seen that the late Congress appropriated
S5oO,OOO for the lower and 5000, 900 for
the upper rapids 100000 for dredge
boat from TT. Smelling to Rock Island
$4,000 for dredgc boat on the Wiscon-
sin; $500, 900 for the mouth of the Missis-
sippi, and 100000 for the improvement
OF the Ohio. These sums, though eyin-
cling signs Of regard on the part of our
National Legislature, are about enough to
get everything ready-"nothing more"
We hope the western men in Congress will
insist upon heavier appropriations. Hon.
w. b. ALLISON and the Iowa delegation.