The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-21
ST. LOUIS.
Moro About tho Proposed COnVens
tIOn and Excursion Of Southern
and Western Congressman.

Moro About tho Proposed COnven.
tIOn and Excursion Of Southern
and Western Congressman.
ST. LOUIS, April 19.-A large meeting
OF merchants, bankers, real estate owners
and business men generally was held In
the Merchants, Exchange this afternoon
to further consider the question and hold
Convention Of Western and Southern
Congressman hero next month. The
Committee appointed at Fhe previous
meeting reported that the Mayor Of the
city, members Of the city government
and many prominent citizens who had
been consulted were fully agreed that
great benefits would accrue to the entire
country from the interchange Of views and
full and free exposition Of the wants Of
the Great West and Mississippi Valley to
the members Of Congress through an in.
iOi X conference in our city, and an ex-
cursion by the newly opened rail-
way from this city to the Gull Of
Mexico, through the Indian Territory
and Texas. Your Committee believes
that in no more suitable or iorcible man.
ner could We bring to the attention
OF the members OF our National Congress,
tho importance to the country at large Of
the developments OF tho interests OF the
Mississippi Valley and tho Great West,
and thereby secure to- these interests
moro favorable recognition in the future
legislation, than by the presentation of
our claims in this way and at this place.
The improvement Of the western rivers 30
As to facilitate u direct and cheap inter
change OF products OF the northern, north
eastern and southern portions Of the
Mississippi Valley, the encouragement Of
slack water navigation, connecting the
waters Of the Mississippi river and It's
tributaries with tho great lakes and with
the tide water OF the ocean on tho Allan
tic coast. The removal of the obStruc-
tions at the mouth Of the Mississippi so as
to secure cheap expectation OF the prod.
ucts Of tho grain, tobacco, hemp and
cotton growing States Of tho Mississippi
Valley, and the cheap importation Of lor-
eign goods and products consumed In the
west, are tho more prominent OF the i'm.
portant subjects which might be
brought 10 the attention OF Congress,
and OF the people OF tho entire country;
and We would suggest their special con-
sideration. The Committee then rec
commended that the Mayor ol the city
and President Of the Merchants Echange
invite the Senators and Representatives OF
Congress, TO m informal conference In
tRis city on the 18th Of May, in conjunction
with and preliminary to on excursion by
way OF the Atlantic s. Pacific and Ms.
souri,, Kansas & Texas Railroads through
Indian Territory and Texas to the Gulf
OF Mexico, and that during their stay
here they will be rendered the hospitali-
ties Of the city, and given public recep-
ton, banquet, sc. Mayor Brown will
deliver an address Of welcome and Gov.
Woodson, Ex-senator John B. Hender-
son and other distinguished citizens Of the
city aud State, be invited to address tho
convention. The report was unanimously
and heartily adopted. An executive com.
mitteo consisting of such prominent cit.
izens Gs Mayor Brown, Hon. Henry T.
Blow, Thomas Allen, Adolphus Meyer;
G.. B. Allen, Captain james B. Fades,
John s. McCune, W. II. Scudder and
others were appointed to arrange and
carry out tho programme for tho Conven.
tion and entertainment Of delegates.
Speeches were then made by Congress.
men Wells, Stannard and others, setting
forth the importance OF tho proposed Con.
ventiou not only to the people Of the Mis-.
sissippi valley but the whole country, and
drawing attention to tho absolute neces0i-
tY OF increased and cheaper transporta-
/ rtion facilities from tho West TO tho sea.
board 1t was said that One.half Of the
members OF Congress had never seen the
Mississippi river, and great many never
looked On prairie, and therefore knew
but little Of the needs and requirements oil
this great valley. Bringing them here
aud laying before them tho statistics Of
tue wonderful productions OF tho West,
and showing them large portion Of this
valley, would increase their knowledge,
enlarge their views, aud could not but re.
suit Ia good to themselves and the people
they represent. An effort will be made to
take the excursion party from Galveston
10 New Orleans via the Gull, so that they
can view tho mouth Of the Mississippi riv.
or, obtain knowledge ot the distractions
there, and view the country and It's ca
pacities along the banks Of this great river
above New Orleans.
President Grant has spent most Of the
day a! his farm six miles below the city.