The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-08
A Congressional Kxcursion Proposed
from Pittsburg to New Orleans.
IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION TO THE
MAYOR OF ST. LOUIS.
The following communication was received by
the mayor of st. Louis on Saturday. 1t explains
itself and predatory comment il unnecessary:
CONGRESSIONAL EXCURSION.
COMMITTEE kooMs.
Nrx~xxr>r Arr 0A.x 20 1910 z

COMMITTEE Rooms. I
CINCINNATI, Sept. 20, 1865.
The presence Of serious distractions and i'm
pediments to the free navigation Of our Western
rivers has been 80 long felt and suffered from,
that IT has ceased to be q virtue to endure their
continued existence silently, or without an ener.
getic effort for their removal. Movements looking
to merely local improvements have been made.
These not being general, nor sufficiently thorough
to enlist the support of the great commercial in.
terests involved, have mostly proved insufficient
and imperative. These distractions. always q
drawback to the commerce of our rivers. have
now become crying evil runoHs e ts:' sf;en
lion, otherwise the cities and towns on our river
@s our 3ss ss matter e;
history.
The grave Importance of this subject % i'm
pressed itself upon the public mind that conven-
ton Of delegates from cities and towns on the Ohio
and Mississippi rivers was called, and held in this
city on September 20, ICES, its object being the
discussion Of the proper measures to be taken in
the premises. IL being foregone conclusion that
steps Of some kind were imperatively called for.
This convention held 1t to be the duty of Con-
gress to furnish the requisite means for the edsc.
i've prosecution Of the desired improvements and,
In order to procure from the body the requisite
legislation, resolutions were adopted recommend.
ing that an excursion by water be organized from
Pttsburg to New Orleans, and return via st. Louis,
to which should be invited the president, vice
president and cabinet, the members Of both
Houses OF Congress-, and the editors Of the leading
papers, whose influence would prove valuable, the
design Of this excursion being to afford an oppor-
tunify to our Legislators for the inspection OF our
rivers, Of their obstructions natural and artificial,
and Of being brought into personal intercourse
with those best informed on ths subject that q
free intercourse Of ideas might be had and the in
fuence OF the immense commerce of the valleys
in the furtherance Of the objects sought Itis net
our intention to discuss what il desired In psrtcu-
lar. Local or sectional advantages are or should
be lost sight of, in the general good which will be
secured by the permanent improvements 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 oar representatives. until success IL
achieved, and uninterrupted, safe and cheap
transit to the ocean is reality.
II was decided BY the convention that the ex.
cursion should take place after the presiden-
tial election-about the 10th of November next
by steamers chartered for the purpose. and the
charge all business appertsning thereto, with in
structons TO apporsion the amount Of financial aid
required, BY an assessment upon the cities and
towns interested; such assessments to be based
upon their we'll known river interests.
After Q careful consideration we have fixed the
amount expected from your city at 10000. and
request that you will procure prompt and decisve
action from your authorities In the matter and ad
wise our chairman Of their decision on or before
the 10th Of October, 1885, either BY mail or tele.
graph, that We may be enabled to report intelli.
gently on the important question Of means to carry
out this project to . convention Of delegates,
from contributing places, to be hereafter called BY
this committee ANY surplus remaining above
actual wants vii be returned in proportion to the
amount contributed. We rely upon the import
snce Of the subject We present, rather than upon
the manner Of its presentation, for attention and
aid ct your hands, which. II vouchsafed, will ma.
terislly assist in making the excursion success,
and i in it, turn win supply us with an occasion
render our internal navigation free to the ocean.
Please forward names Of the gentlemen of the
press for whom you desire invitations.
A. P. G. BoNrE, Chairman,
T. +. ECKKRr,
JOHN C. RENO,
BENZ. +. DAVIDSON,
GEoRGE L. JOHNSON,
WIZ. II. wALKER, Evansville, Ind,
Committee.
The following 10 the reply Of Mayor Thomas:
MAYoR's OFFICE
sr. LOUIS. October 8, 1853.
Hon A P. G. Bonio Chairman commistss Congressional
Dear Sir-Your letter OF the 10Th Septsmber
has been received. Our City Council, under our
charter. cannot meet IN regular session until the
second Monday In October. ! cannot, therefore,
say What amount the council viii appropriate,
put ! WI lay your communication before the
Board Of Trade and the Union MRchants' Ex.
change Tor tnef consideration and attention. ~ /
leving that these bodies, in Connection Win H. |
Cry Council, WI aid any enterprise looking 70 |
Tie unobstructed navigation Of he vsstsrn vsfsrs.
end especially the Mississippi river.
Very rs'5:ssislly
II