Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-05-22

He did not wish to make speeches to the
Convention, but an argument to Congress.
The previous question was called, and
the report being submitted was adopted.
COMMITTEE ON RIVER, N~AvIsATIoN, a.
NAILS, AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
Gen. Featherston, Chairman of Com
mittee, submitte&t the following report:
WHEREAS, 1t 4 one of the Leading OBJ
jects of this Convention to encourage and
suggest Improvements in the Western
and Southern rivers; and
Whereas, The falls of the Ohio is the
only obstruction upon that beautiful river
o its whole length of one thousand miles;
| and
whereas. The present completed por-
ton of the canal around these falls is not
only inadequate to the wants of conf
meree, but the tolls assessed ON all crafts
are so eXhorbitant as to seriously retard
business; and
Whereas, The great proportion required
to enlarge and complete this ANA has al
ready been expended, thus leaving a de-
felt of only about three quarters of a
million of dollars; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That it is the unanimous opin-
iOnO Of this committee that Congress should
make immediate appropriations sufficient
to complete the canal around the falls of
the Ohio, and that the Government should
ldkE tAbAIG tOilNIOl Oi Sdiu EdHdly dllu 81
reduce the tolls that the South and South
west may be supplied with coal, lumber,
grain, manufactured articles, etc, with as
little tribute as possible, as well as to en-
able the great country above the falls to
import merchandise from Southern ports
with as little expense as possible.
And be it further resolVed, That the on
v~ention appoint a committee, which shall
be composed of three delegates, whose
duty it shall be to memorabilia the Con-
gress of the United States in behalf of the
foregoing preamble and resolutions, and
of speedy and substantial aid to the prae-
tical project suggested. 2
In presenting the foregoing preamble
and resolutions, the committee beg leave
to call the attention of the Convention to
the national importance of the results
sought TO be accomplished, and trust that
the subject will receive unanimous ap-
prevail.
The Committee on River Navigation,
Canals, and other Internal improvements,
beg leave to report that they have had
before them and under consideration the
improvement and removal of Instructions
to navigation of the Southern and Wes-
tern nayigable rivers, the enlargement of
and the completion of the James river
and kanawah canal. and al improved
system of navigation on the Western and
Southern waters by the Mississippi Valley |
Navigation Company of the South and
West, and also the question of submitting
to the Legislatures of the several States
the Importance of renting for a limited
time taxes on lands donated or subscribed
for great public works and other subjects
of like importance, and your committee,
in view of the magnitude and importance 1
OF the interests confided to them, and the
very limited time allotted them for in
vestigatiOn, have not been able to come to
any satisfactory conclusion with reference
to these subjects, and they therefore res
pectfIlly recommend that a committee of
one from each State represented in this
Convention be appoiAhed 20 investigate
and report upon these subjects to the next
Commercial Convention, and be also in
structed to prepare and transmit to the
Congress of the United States such me-
MORALS on these subjects submitted to
them, as in their Judgment may seem
proper.
The previous question being moved the
reports were adopted unanimously.
COMMITTEE on AGRICTLTURE AND
GENERAL BUSINESS.
David +. Butler, Chairman, reports As
on the resolution referred to this com
mittee concerning the printing ola portion
of a preliminary report by Commodore /
NJ. f. Maury, the committee beg leave to
report as fallOws:
hESOtEcN, Indl lLlS convention EcR3TtS I
the Preliminary Report No 1, of Com
modore NJ. L. Maury, as a document of
great value, and we recommend 10 the
various Councils, Boards of Trade, Cham
berso of Commerce, merchants and othrs to
provide means for its extended publica-
ton and distribution.
ReSOiCcd, That a committee of three
members from each State, with the Presi-
dent added, be appointed to solicit aid and
cooperation in promoting the circulation
of a portion Of preliminary report No. 1, 1
a. the best means of attaining the objects
therein set forth, viz: to develop the re-
sources, to point out the commercial adj
vantages, and by the commencement ola
leading line of steamers to establish direct
trade and encourage immigration.
ReSOlCed, That a committee of five be
appointed, who, in the name of the Mem
phis Commercial Convention, to memoir
alize Congress for pecuniary aid in the
completion of the two great water lines,
the one connecting the Mississippi Val
ley with the Chesapeake, and the other
by the Tennessee river to the Gulf, accord
ing to the plans of Professor Maury.
kesO{Ded, That the last named commit
tee collect all documents and information
bearing on this subject and send copies to
Professor Maury.
A motion was made to refer to the Com
mittee on General Business.
Inc previous question: was ttlIti ana 4
the reports and resolutions adopted.
The following report, signed by Chair
man Butler, was then read, and the rules
being suspended, unanimously adopted:
Agriculture-This is the first, last and
greatest employment of our people, and
lies down under all other pursuits. The
rich productions which it's diversiicatiOn
kives to the country are the main springs
70 all the machinery of domestic, social
and commercial life. 1t can never be
m~Onopolized or too widely disseminated.
In this, The whole bOundless Continent
is ours.
Since the war, in the Atlantic, Gulf,
and Western and Southwestern States, a
field has opened unsurpassed in this coun-
try. These States embrace varieties in
climate, soil and productions so numerous
that no other region on the Continent can
compare with them.
1t is TO this storehouse of our wealth
that we invite all men everywhere to
come. Under existing circumstances,
more than half the soil in some of these
States, nce under the pillow, is nov idle,
and the crops harvested from the remain
der do but approach its capacity when
more thoroughly cultivated d.
While vast projects of river improve
ments and railroad extension are attract
ing the capital and engaging the minds Of
all enterprising men, it cannot be over
looked that east ana WeSt OF the great
river, on whose banks we stand, within
it's valley, is TO be the home within the
life of some now in this house, of more
than one hundred millions of people.
And, that this valley will feed and clOthe
tina people, and leave a large surplus for
other countries less fortunate. The cereals
and other articles of food are grown now
with great success, and already give great
activity to cur rivers, railroads and cities.
And the same may be said Of tobacco.
But rice, sugar and cotton are now pass
ing through an experiment. The late
wonderful increase in the application of
fertilizers is also an expert
mental effort honestly made, in the hope
of a lasting success.
Cheap freights on railroads, especially
for fertilizers, building materials, imple-
ments for the farm and plantation, to-
gether with low rates of fare for the immi-
grant and his outfit, including ta6OreTS
from all quarters Of the earth, will SO
stimulate the energy and inspire the
hopes of the people that in ttn years our
desolations will be gone, and the senti-
ment of the past, There is life in the old
land yet, - be everywhere one grand reali-