Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1867-02-13


ard look at the map Of the country must
furnish convincing evidence that it is des.
tined to reach higher proportions.
The weather is unpleasan,ly cool, though
the river is open. and has been, We believe,
during the entire winter.
We had tho pleasure this morning Of
meeting our young friend, DR.. Geo. Nc
Gosh, formerly Of Davenport, who is located
in this city, and boiidins up . handsome
practice.
Yours till the next time D.N.
ST. LouIs, Feb. II.
The delegations from the different points
are coming in fast to-day, and the people
here say the Convention will be largely at
tended, and that is effect upon the interests
Of the great Mississippi Valley will be of
most beneficial character. Together there
will meet men from ali sections--from the
head waters and the lower waters; from the
cities Of Minnesots, Wisconsin, Illinois,
Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky. Arkansas. Ten
ne see, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
The delegates from oil these places will have
somt thing original to oifer-something intl-
mstely connected with the interests Of their
immediate localities. These men will meet
together snd compare notes-wiil get nc-
oua,ntcd with each othcr-learn each oth>
er's interests and wants, aud join hands to
secure for each, as far as practicable, the de-
sired objects. The great and absorbing
question before the Convention will be that
of improving the rapids OF the upper Mis-.
sissippi. Give the river mon free and un>
obstructcd passage over these great natural
obstacles, end they will submit to the other
| inconvenience almost without murmur.
The bridges already built, and those in pros.
pect, form an obstruction in no way to be
compared with these natural enemies TO
river traffic. True, move will probably be
made in Convention looking to tho
regulation Of these bridges so
IS to be less Objectionable to
river. The old idea that bridges Of every
kind across the river must be frowned down,
torn down. burned down, and kept down.
has been pretty generally abandoned by
every thinking mind. All the river men
ask is (and their request is perfectly reason
able.) that these bridges either be built SO
| high, os with draws so wide as to afford the
least obstacle possible to the passage Of
their boats, and this, in time, will DC grant,
| 3D. Railroads have their office to perform,
| aud SO have the mighty rivers that flow
Though our land. The former can never
| compete with the latter in cheapness Of
ireights. The great mass of the heavy pro
ducts Of the Northwest will eventually seek
the market by water--by natural and by
articficial water courses.
Business is awakening up in st. Louis,
and yet there is comparatively nothing do
ing to what there will be few weeks hence
AS soon as the upper rivers shake off their
icy letters The shipments South, to day,
| amount to about NJ, 900 tons, and this is
| merely on orders. Had navigation been
open. and freights reasonable, the ship-
| ments would hardly be i.ss than $4,000
tons per day. There are plenty of freights
| in store ready TO 60 forward when the prop
er season arrives, on orders and specultion.
The Scott county delegation had the
pleasure Of calling At the Office Of the North
ern Line packet Company-where Captain
Abbott Of the late Rapids Survey, submitted
to Mr.. Griffith his drawings Of the proposed
improvements in the Rapids, ~ submitted
by Gen. Wilson to the authorities At WASH
ingtcn. The plan Of canaling the Lower
Rapids seemed to take as being the best
thing TO do. but the plan Of blasting out .
channel in the Upper Rapids is looked up
on with considerable allowance. II is very
fine in theory, and may be practicable, bu.
nevertheless, river men seem to iavor cana :
ing to any other plan
The Northern Line is making oil the
necessary arrangements to supply an etfec-
tive line Of passenger and freight boats be-
tween st. Louis and St. Paul during the
coming season. So far there arc no signs
Of any organized opposition to this line =
There will be few wild boats in the trade
no doubt, but no great amount of capital
will be devoted next season 10 "breaking
down the Northern Line"
Through the politeness Of Mr.. Grfliths,
the party Was introduced on Change, where
busy scene in buying and selling was pre-
ssnted. The st. Louis merchants
are not so much given to gambling
Is in Chicago, hence there is
not exhibited that frantic state Of mind
that 10 20 often witnessed on Change In the
latter city. Immense amounts Of produce
and flour change hands there every day, and
these transactions are for the most part bona
fde. In Chicago men buy thousands Of
bushels Of wheat Of men who may never
have owned bushel sf that article in their
livss-and call that business, but gambling
is less patronizsd here owing probably to
want of advancement 10 civilization.
There are about thirty boats laying here
1t the present time, while in four or i've
weeks il will be no unusual sight to see two
miles Of boats packed in solid al along the
landing at the lsvee-arriving and depart.
ing in rapid succession.
Our party is al in remarkable state Of
psssers ation-and will return hone imme