Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-13
vAe Na.ionaI cemu.ereIeI Convention

ST. LOUIS, Dec. 12.-The national commercial
| convention organized to-day with b. Il. Crane
| of Georgia as president. A series of rules OF
business was adopted, after which recess was
| taken,
Alter the recess the president announced COM
mlttees on the following subjects: PrOpriety of
consolidating the commercial convention with
the national board Of trade; on improvement Of
| western rYerSj on ship canals; on Atlantic and
Great Western canal; on fire and marine in.
surance companies; on tariff on government
regulations OF railroads; on aid to railroads; on
transatlantic railroadj on forest and timber
GROWTH on the national postal telegraph.
Mr.. James of Tennessee offered a resolution
requesting congress to appropriate $3.50 600 for
the improvement of the Tennessee river, as
| recommended by the engineer bureau Of the
war department., A committee was appointed
on miscellaneous business,
Mr.. Richardson of Missouri offered a resoIu-
ton urging congress to acquire, on equitable
terms, all telegraph franchises in the country
and incorporate them in the present postal sys-
TEN.
Mr.. Brinkley of Missouri offered resolution
for the appointment Of committee to memorial
lie congress TO pass law regulating the
weights and measures of tin cans and
wooden packages containing oysters, fruits veg-
etables, &c. Referred to the committee on mis-
cellaneOus business.
MIR. Bonner of St. Louis, from the special
committee to consider the question, reported
memorial TO congress to establish territorial
government over the country known as the In
dian Territory, bringing the people thereof I'M
der the laws and jurisdiction of the United
States on such basis as will secure a homestead
70 the head of each Indian family, and to sell
the remaining land on such terms as will induce
rapid settlement and deyelopement of the terri
tory, the proceeds of such sales to be he'd or in
vested by the government as fund, the interest
of which shall be distributed annually and eQuit-
ably amOng the several tribes or the establish
ment Of free schools, TO the end that the Indian
may learn the arts and occupations Of civilized
life.
Mr. Lipman of st. Louis offered a resolution,
which was adopted under suspension of the
rules, that those states and localities which have
not already adopted theSystem of public schools
be earnestly requested to give this subject carly
and favorable consideration.
MIR. James of Tennessee offered resolution
declaring it inexpedent for the government to
take charge Of telegraph lines
The committee on canals submitted a report
stating that no project OF greater interest to one
third of the country had been laid before
the conyention than that for a canal at Fort st.
Philip; that surveys had been made which
showed the plan feasible; the interests of the
south and west demanded the canals. And the
report asked congress for an appropriation suf-
dcient to carry out the work. The committee
also recommended a resolution requesting con,
gress to take such legislation at the present ses-
ship canal around Niagara Falls on the Ameri-
can side.
The committee on the Atlantic and Great
Western canal reported memorial to congress
setting forth the great importance of the con
strucuon Of canal from Huntsville on the
tennessee river, TO point on Coosa river in
Georgia. about seventy-tive miles of which would
afford more speedy and cheap transportation
OF the produce OF the great west to the seabOard.
ms report developed strong opposition on the
part oil several st. Louis and New Orleans gen.
temen, because it asserted that grain could not
he shipped in good order via the Mississippi and
gulf of Mexico owing 10 the humidity of the
climate. The report was recommtted for modi.
ticatiOn.
The committee on forests reported resolu-
ton requesting congress TO pass an amendatory
act to that relating to soldiers and sailors
homesteads, containing the provision that all
persons entitled to homesteads under that act
who Shall cultivate five acres of timber of one
years growth, shall be entitled to enter the
same and receive patent therefor; adopted.
resolution recommending the doubling of
salaries OF the president OF the United States
heads of departments and judges of the SUI
preme court, was indefinitely poStDOped
MIR. DAVIS OF Pennsylvania presented resolu-
ton asking congress to appropriate Two million
dollars to determine by actual experiment the
value Of the different modes for improving nav.
lgatlon in our rivers TO fully meet the require
ments OF commerce; referred
Mr.. Davis also offered resolution opposing
the merging of this convention into the national
board OF trade.
Mr.. Bishop Of Ohio presented resolutions that
the legislatures OF states should pass penal
laws, where such do not already exist, for the
punishment OF those who issue or negotiate
spurious warehouse receipts; that there should
be laws which would protect holders of ware.
house receipts in SAFETY and integrity of proper
" covered by such receipts, andlhat warehouse
receipts be made negotiable lkeIother CONNER.
clal paper; adopted.
Inc committee on government regulation of
railroad tre'ghts reported resolution urging
congress TO reserve in ali future grants OF char.
tiers or aid the right to regulate Height and pas.
seuger tariffs. A resolution was offered favor.
Ing the establishment Of national tribunal of
commerce by the government and sustained by
government.
Mr.. Balm of Missouri offered an amendment
asking congress to establish a department Of
commerce. The whole subject was referred TO
a special committee.
Adjourned till tomorrow,