Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-02-22

1
q Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and
Tennessee. The committee on reso-
Iuuons reported in favor of adopting
q It. FraZer's resolution was adopted,
i The resolution provides for the ap-
o polntment, by the governors Of Penn
sylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky,
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Tennessee,
: OF permanent committee of five
8 from each State to look after the i'm
, prOvement of the Ohio river and its
, navigable branches.
u Mr.. Smith, of West Virginia, offered
{ the following resolution, which was
? referred to the committee on investi-
r CATION, and instrueting that committee
10 inquire into the eXpediency of ask.
ing congress to make such legislation
as will remove all wharfage charges.
: Captain Decatur offered a resolution
recommending the establishment by
the government Of night and day sig-
nails at all points necessary for the
protection of river commerce, which
was referred to the committee on me-
moral to congress.
Captain Brisbane Walker, of West
Virginia, offered a resolution that a
committee OF ten be appointed to pre-.
sent the memorial of the convention
to congress, and that the committee
be instructed to 90 to Washington and
urge upon the members of congress
the passage OF laws for the improve.
ment of the Ohio river. Referred to
committee on memorial.
Mr.. Shryock, Of Evansville, offered
resolution, which was also referred
10 the committee on memorial, recit-
ing that the mineral resources Of the
hills and valleys bordering the Ohio
river Of themselves are enough to ius-
tlfy congress in giving aid TO the
scheme, which is necessary for their
full development.
Mr.. Hale, from the committee on
aid to investigation, submitted a re-
port recommending the establish |
ment OF water gauges and other lights |
OF the breast lights, to mark the points 1
at which the vessels should turn to |
run TO the next objective landmark,
and stern and 0oW-lights, such as are /
required to show the proper method /
OF crossing at places where the natu-
raj landmarks are indistinct- The
committee named a large number of
points on the river, beginning at
Pittsburg, where such lights should
be established with water gauges for
this purpose. Congress is asked to
extend the jurisdiction Of the light
house board over the western rivers.
TherepOrt was adopted.
Mr.. Hale also reported on the
subject of municipal tax on
tonnage for general municipal Dur.
poses, declaring such tax wrong and ];
oppressive in principle and without (
warrant in law They recommended
all steamboat associations to unite in
presenting before the courts a case to
test the validity Of the tax. The COM
mittee die not ask legislation, believ-
ing the tax 10 be wholly without
foundation in Law. The report was
eoncurred in. {
Richard mith, from the committee
on bridges, submitted a report, recon-
mending the support OF the bill intro I
duCed in congress by Mr.. Kerr, which
provides general regulations to gov.
ern the construction Of all bridges.
The object OF the bill was explained I
to be TO avoid the difficulties hereto q
fore attendant on the special legisla. [
tiOn obtained by each railroad COM l
pany desiring TO build a bridge. '
The report recommended to mem
bers OF congress the passage Of the i
Kerr bill. Report adopted. {
Hon. sc. OOvingtOn, from the com.
mittee on the Louisville and Portland r
canal, submitted a report. 1t gives a
brief history OF the work and requests
the passage by congress OF bill v
introduced by representative Holman, ?
Of Indiana, providing for making the {
canal free, and requests the appr0pri-
alton OF tOur hundned thousand dol
lars for the completion of the canal. Y
that being the amount estimated b
to complete the work. il
Mr. Hall, from committee on apprO. b
reported a resolution recon- c
an appropriation Of four o
hundred thousand dollars towards b
AMI perfeeting the work OF Z
dredging and constructing the wing o
dams now under charge of Col, Mer-
rill, and that Sl00, 900 be asked for in Ii
advance for dredge boats. This re- fC
port called forth discussion.
A delegate was opposed to frivolous s
to put up lights Ct
and dredge the channel. He wanted b
3 system OF locking and damming Is
that would give a channel the year p
through. A thousand towns, with a q
cOmme4ce worth seven million dol 81
ars, demanded something more than e
lights and dTedges. He was In favor al
If adopting the plan of locks and al
iams, and asking congress TO aid in
he work. N
O. w. Rowland thought it foolish to rs
lsk congress for an appropriation be- II
ore any plan was adopted. 1t was nc
Uncertain whether a lock and dam cC
)lan was practicable. In his opinion d.
he people living along the Ohio b,
would not consent to system Of locks e1
nd dams. Applause.
The chairman explained that this b
.pprOpriation was for the present to
lecessity only, and did not pretend to te
'e all that was necessary for the per- re
nanent improvement OF the river. ~
,he report was eoneurred In. "
The committee on the memorial to pl
ongreSs reported that 1t was mex N
,edient TO adopt the resolution re- ii
erred to them, providing for a COM to
nittee Of ten to 60 &c Washington II
nd urge legislation for the improve nS
aent Of the Ohio river, because there "
Vss no provision TO pay the expenses th
I such COMMITTEES, and there was no eg
probability that such committee th
would serve without payment OF ex- OF
lenses. LAB tl'
The committee further asked leave pI
o Trspare a memorial TO congress al 30
er the adjournment of the conven- vi
ion, to be presented at a future meet ol
ng, OF be left to the discretion Of the ~
and be presented to con- CT
sress Without submitting IL to the con- 60
lenllon. The committee were au- To
hOriEed to submit the memorial to II
congress. of
A, i. Frazer offered a resolution pe- th
itiOntDg congress to pass at its pres, "
mt session dill offered by Mr. Gar di
ields extending the Jurisdiction of the Sc
ighthouse board to the Ohio river, Sc
Adopted. M
Mr.. Cooper offered a resolution for frC
he appointment Of a finance COM ds
nittee to provide for the expenses OF of
he publication of such documents as at
nay be required by the convention. sa
adopted. if
On motion an executive committee W,
4 nine was appointed to take charge at
4 the subjects presented and continue re
he work of the convention.
A resolution was adopted to print ed
nd distribute three thousand copies su
4 the proceedings Of the convention. 4
Adjourned to meet at the call Of the it.
xecutiVe committee, th