The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-10-08
THE NAvIGATION OF THE OHIO
RIVER.
CONGRESSIONAL ExUURsIOn.
COMMITTEES ROCKS,

CINCINNATI, Sept. 20, 1865.
The presence of serious Instructions
and impediments to the free navigation
OF the Western Rivers has been so long
ielt and suffered from, that 1t has ceased
TO De a to endure their continued
existence silently, or without an ener-
getlc effort for their removal. Move
ments looking to merely local improve
ments have been made. These not be-
Ing general, nor sufficiently thorough
to enlist the support of the great
commercial interests involved, have
mostly proved insufficient and in
operative. These distractions, al
ways drawback to the commerce OF
our rivers, have become a crying evil,
ruinous to their prospects, demanding
at our hands immediate attention,
otherwise the cities and towns on our
river banks Will become mere railroad
way stations, and the navigation of our
waters matter of history.
The grave Importance OF this subject
so impressed itself upon the public
mind that a convention of delegates
from cities and towns on the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers was called, and held
in this city on September 23d, 1855. Its
object being the discussion of the proper
measures to be taken In the premises,
IL being foregoue conclusion that steps
of some kind were inperRtiVely called
for.
10lS convention uelu II W Db tue uutY
of Congress to furnish the req uisite
the desired Improvements, and in order
to procure from that body the requisite
legislation, resolutions were adopted
recommending that an excursion by
water be organized from Pittsburgh to
New Orleans, and return by ST. Louis,
to which should be invited tho Presi-
dent, Vice President, and Cabinet, the
Members of both houses of Congress,
and tho editors of the leading papers,
whose influence would prove valuable,
the design of this excursion being to
afford an opportunity to our legislators
for the inspection of our rivers, of their
distractions, natural and artificial, and
OF being brought into personal inter
course with those best informed on the
subject, that free intercourse of ideas
might be had, and the influence of the
immense commerce of the valleys of
the Ohio and Mississippi be effectually
employed in the furtherance of the OBJ
jects sought. 1t is not oufintention to
discuss what is desired in particular.
Local or sectional advantages are or
should be lost sight of in the general
good which will be secured in the per-
manent Improvement ofthe water COM
munIcation, from the head waters of
the Ohio and Mississippi to the Gulf.
The large and rapidly increasing
commerce OF the West demands that
this subject should be urged upon our
representatives until success is achieV-
ed, and uninterrupted, safe and cheap
transit to the ocean is a reality.
It WAS decided by the convention that
the excursion should take place soon
after the Presidential election-abOut
the 10Th of November next, by steam
ers chartered for the purpose, aud the
undersigned were named committee
to have in charge all business apper-
tanning thereto, with iustructions to up
portion tho amount of financial aid re-
quired, by an assessment upon the
cities and towns interested; such assess
meut' to beSbHsed upon their we'll known
river Interests
After careful consideration we
have fixed the amount expected from
your city ut 81, 500 and request that
cisiv0 action from your authorities
in the matter and advise our chair
man of their decision on or before
the 10Th OF October, 1868, either by mail
or telegraph, that we may be enabled to
report tntelliRently on the important
question of means to carry out this
project, 10 - convention of delegates
from contributing places, to be hereaf-
ter called by this committee. Any sur
plus Remaining above actual wants Will
be returned in proportion to the amount
contributed We rely upon the impor-
tauce OF the subject we present, rather
than upon the manner of its presenta-
ton, TOR attention and aid at your
hands, which, If vouchsGfed, will ma
terialiy assist in making the excursion
Il success, and 1t in its turn will supply
us an occasion to influence, those with
whom the duty rests to render our in
ternal navigation free to the ocean.
Please forward names of the gentlemen
of the press for whom you desire invf'
tations.
COMMITTEES: A. p. C. BoNTE, Charm.
L. f. ECKERT.
JOHN q. RENO,
BENZ. F. DAVIDSON,
GEO. l.. JOHNSTON,
WIN. II. WALKER,
EUuISUi[ie Ind.