Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-12-26
Correspondence Of the HERALD
The Detroit Commercial Convention

Ine 0etrOiL Commerclal Convention.
EDITOR Misunderstanding been ap-
pointed by Gov. Fairchild a delegate
from the State, and also having Gre
dentlals from the village of Bosco.
bel, considered it dutysto attend
the Commercial Convention at De
troit. The object and purpose of this
convention was to take into cOnsd>
GRAFTON the subject of water commn-
nication between the Mississippi riy-
er and the Atlantic Ocean, and to
urge upon Congress not only the i'm
portance but the necessity of this
great national work, whereby the
frelghts between the producers OF
the West and the consumers of the
East might be materially cheapened.
Delegates to the number of about
70 were present, representing the
states of Maine. New Hampshire,
Vermont, New York, District of Col
umbia, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wis
consin, Iowa and Minnesota. The
delegates from this State were Gov.
Flirchild, Col. G. ID. Robinson, An
ton Klause, George Hoskinson, z. V.
Duester, Capt. John Nader, w. W.
Coming, and myself.
The convention was called to or.
der by Col. Thomas of Iowa, who
stated that this Convention was call
ed to deliberate upon the most inn
pcrtant question of the age, that of
increased outlets for the products of
the West. The eubject was one of
vital Importance and may well de-
mand the most earnest, the most
elaborate, and the wisest counsels of
thoughtful minds.
Gov. Fairchild was made perma-
nent President and made few re-
marks urging the Importance of the
Fox and Wisconsin River improve
ment.
Hon. Jno Young of Montreal stated
that local jealousies should be laid
aside, and all should join in any feas-
lille effort to create new avenues of
transportation between the great
Northwest and the sea-board, as
there would be need in the near fu-
ture for all Of them.
An able and interesting paper from
Amos s. Tryon of Lainston, N. Y,
was read, showing the necessity and
p ssibility of a ship canal around the
falls of Niagara upon the American
side.
The following resolutions were
considered and unanimously adopted
WHEREAS, This convention Is deeply impressed with
this central thought towit that the true prosperity
OF any nation only be found in the gre aest pros
perty ofits individual members and the various com.
mercial and internal rel atons between the different
States therefore
Resolved, That, in the opinion of this convention.
| the General Government at Washington should at
once adopt liberal policy to intercommnnica alton
between the West aud toe water by the Great Lakes
ad the rivers Leading to and from the centers of the
States lying adj AGENT thereto.
q Resoired, That, in the opinion of this convention
the construction OF the Niagara Ship CaHa is of great
National Importance, and Representatives In Congress
requested to do all in their power to procure an
appropriation for that purpose
Resolred That the Legislature of the State of New
York be requested 70 grant permission the General
government 70 enter upon its territory for the pur
pose OF surveying and constructing the Niagara Ship
Canal
RESOLVED That more water routes by which
q steamboats, Of the Mississippi reach tn harbors
and unload into the vessels of the Great Lakss of
such Importance TO so many states east and west
that II mas become matter Of National Importance.
No one familiar with the subject
can doubt the Importance of add.
tlonal facilities for transportation be-
tween the Mississippi river and the
seaboard and it must be apparent
to every discerning mind that
what the great cereal produciu g
states of the Northwest demand is
cheaper transportation from the Faith
err Of waters to the Great Lakes
This to us is in my judgment of more
vital interest than the enlargement
of the Erie and Welland Canals, or
the building of Ship Canal around
Niagara The products of the rich
soils of the vast prairies of the West
and the untold wealth of our mines
are Of little comparative value for
want OF cheap transportation to the
markets of the East. Freights from
the Mississippi TO the Lakes are to-
day quite as high-the distances be-
ing 200 miles-as from the Lakes to
the Ocean-distance 900 to 1000
miles. Enlarged facilities we must
have, and it would seem that they
are within our reach If the proper eff
forts are now made. The arbitrators
appointed by the Government and
the Canal Company have made an
award, by which the Government is
to pay the company 1926, 900 tor all
their rights and franchises. 1t is a
very low award, and it is hoped the
Government will accept it during the
present session of Congress, and that
tbe necessary appropriations be made
to push things" upon this much
needed and great national highway.
Yours Truly,
w. w. FIELD.
BoscoBEL, December 18th, 1871.