The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-10-02

between the local and through freight-
could be effected without injury to the
interests of railroads, while it would
greatly promote the general con-
venience. The report of the committee
also recommends q liberal spirit be.
tween States in granting reciprocal
rights ofway the desirability of an air.
line from Cincinnati to Chattanooga,
and also of a railroad chain from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, lying entirely
south of the Central Pacific. With
reference to narrow, gauge railroads, the
committee felt reluctant to express a
decided opinion for or against a system
whose merits or dement's do not as vet
seem, in their judgment, to be ascer-
tanned by the only inlallible test of prac-
teal use. At the same time the COM
mittee consider that enough is known OF
the working of narrow-gauge railroads
lin Wales, Switzerland and other coun-
tries to justify the statement that their
diminished cost of construction and
operating, and increased facility of
overcoming heavy grades and accom-
plishing sharp curves, offer to many
sections Of our country great induce.
ments for construction, especially for
the convenience OF local traffic and the
bringing into railroad connection Sec
tions of the country where the physical
geography renders wide gauge imprac-
ticable.
The convention took important action
also on the subject Of interior lines Of
water communication, among which is
a great project which nearly concerns
Baltimore, q ship canal between the
Chesapeake and Delaware bays, in
length thirty.two miles. including some
ten miles of river. which will reduce
the distance to European ports 1873
miles. A memorial to Congress re-
questing survey, and if found valuable
to the interests of the country, that the
canal shall be constructed, was recon-
mended. In addition. at the instance OF
a Western delegate, a preamble and
resolution were adopted in favor Of the
appropriation by Congress of q sum
sufficiently liberal TO complete the i'm
provements of the harbor Of Baltimore
and the ship channel to the Chesapeake
Bay Reports were also adopted fs
vorable to the James River and Kara
wha canal, the improvement Of the
channels ofthe James, Appomattox and
Rappahannock rivers in Virginia,
through moderate appropriations, and
also the St. Johns river. in Florida;
the Fort st. Philip canal, to connect
the waters of the Mississippi river and
the Gulf of Mexico, and the removal Of
distractions from the mouth OF the
Mississippi; the completion OF the Wis
consin and Fox rivers improvement,
connecting the waters Of the Upper
Mississippi with Lake Michigan; the
Tennessee river and Atlantic canal, and
other canal and river Improvements
deemed of national importance.
An interesting report on immigration
was also adopted, in which it was de-
clared to be the duty OF the General
Government to protect all immigrants
upon the voyage, at the port of landing
and during their transit thence to their
place of destination within our borders;
for the adjustment of collection of head
money upon immigrants, and also re
commenting the State Governments to
disseminate information among the
European nations relative 10 their eli
mate, soil, resources and other induce
ments 10 emigrants. In discussing this
subject, the great conveniences and ad-
vantages afforded TO Europeans landing
at Baltimore were contrasted with the
distractions and oppressive charges
imposed upon them in New York. On
the subject of public lands the Conven-
ton declares it impolitic hereafter to
donate them in large quantities to rail
road companies or to States to aid in
the construction OF railroads, but holds
that they should be reserved for home
steads for actual settlers, and donated
for the creation OF school funds for the
education Of the people.
In regar d to finances, the Convention
recommended an early return to specie
payments; a gradual payment Of the
public debt; equal aud fair levying and
collection Of taxation. pronounced pro-
hibitory duties not to the interest Of the
nation; advocated uniform tax on man.
ufactured tobacco, and reduction OF the
present tax; abolition of the income
tax; such arrangement OF regulations
respecting the whisky tax as to surely
collect it without embarrassment to
that industry. A resolution was adopt
ed also asking the refunding Of the
cotton tax, as well as the taxes paid or
coal, iron, oil and other articles.
The other chief measures adopted
were as follows: A report OF the com
mittee on Navigation relative to Amer
lean ship,building, protesting against
local rates on ships and cargoes as op
pressive in many ports, and asking Con
gress to pass law applying to all ports
equally and fairly; especially complain
ing of quarantine exactions at the por
of New York; asking that rates o
pilotage should be equal and fixed, ex
cept in cases Of great danger; recon-
mending the establishment of seamen'
homes; approving of the views OF Sec
rotary Robson in reference to the es
Enlistment OF shipyards for building
iron vessels. A report of the committee
on Foreign Commerce, recommending
subsidizing American steamship lines
) to Central and South America and Mex
leo; also declaring the present customs
system no longer adapted to the require
ments Of the nations commerce, anC
ask the adoption of tariff suited to it:
present condition. A report of the com
mittee on the Mineral and Mining In
terest, recommending complete gelogica
, and neurological surveys Of all thu
States and Territories of the Union by
Government authority, and asking the
enactment Of stringent legislation te
| provoof accidonta tn miners re