, 1873-05-14

AcctlnE or lao S0.Cn1lcd Congress
sionn1 Conference.-The Number OF
III. C.a In Attendance Not Definitely
Stutcd--St. Louis N1nfxcs Her Annual
Rid for tho Foreign farnin Tratle.-
Speeches Rsy Mayor brown, the Hon.
Henry r. lti0xv, and Gov. Wuouson,
ST. LOUIS No., May 13.-The temple in which
tho Congressional conference mot to-day is
handsomely decorated with flags aud banners,
and shields boaring the names of all tho statoH
gallery. Tho stage ID caboratoly ombolllshod
With flowers and living plants In bloom, tho
whole presenting worry beautiful appearance,
/ Tho conference waa called to order at lalf-past
II o'clock by Hon. Horny T. Blow, who statod
that, on consultation with gentlemen from all
parts OF the country, it had boon decided that.
Mayor Brown, aB tho Executive of tho city of
| st. Loud, should preside over tho conference,
ana that tho me1nbern Of the local Executive
committee should servo as other officers OF tho
| conference.
Mayor Brown thon took tho Chair, und intro
tnced Bishop Bowman, who inrolod tho Divine
blessing on the conference.
Mayor Brown, after bidding the congroasmon
present moat cordial aud hearty Welcome on
behalf OF tho whole pooplo of st. to1iH, and ono
winch he hoped would mako tho rnemory Of their
visit pleasant, Baid: 'tIt was not our p,1r-'
roHo in inviting you hero to-day merely to dis
cuas our local attractions, noithor was 1t our de-
iing nuduo influences to bear On you, and there
BY ,endcavor to secure your committal to
legsl9tion calculated to, tato advantage Of
mon or fa5nrG com,v any portion ss Of our con-.
Assembly & Nc co"Ssntion, nrvS aSS's0"teat t"t ths IL
ita character It il moro Of IN informal md
friendly conference. We dosro to submit
plain, & practical exhibit Of tho moods Of tho West
and South for improved water linoB to tho
ocean. Wo do not desire to excite diacuEB,on,
nor no. 10 re ask any vote in advance On loglsla-
two propositions, nor do NO intend to onabar-
r. Tass you by strict Parliamentary proceedings"
me mayor thon referred to tho necessity OF i'm
proved wnter rontos to tho soaboara, and spoke
Of what tho Government has dono for tho son
coast In THO way Of protection to 1ifo and prop
orty. and claimod TINT tho eanlo should DO dono
Tor tho West; and, to illustrate tho poris Of nav
igation on the Miaaissippi River, ho said thnt in
one bond Of that river, only four n1os in extent,
there ]o tle wrecks Of thirty-six steamers, dam.
ming up tho way. and tint it is appropriately |
called Graveyard Bond. Not only tho Wcst and |
South aro Interested in removing obatructions |
from and deepening the channels Of tho MisBis-
Blppi River and itB tributarios, but the whole
country aud also foreign nations, for the cheap
Transit a a 9f 1.-The the products Of tho Mississippi Valley
the markets Of tho world. Hc also cited tho
taot that, in consequence Of tic high ratea of
,n,g freight to tug seaboar, many farmers have aot
be marketed without bringing them in dobt.
drawbacks to tho trado aud business of tho
West, ho appealod to tho CongroaBmor to con-
slider tho situation and accord TINT aid vh,oh
The HIM. Henrv n Dlow thon ao,;x.uoa
address on tho general objects Of the confer-
onco. He begged tho Congressman to believe
NO arc national In our foeings and md
would scorn to receive ut their honds a sinr]o
favor that would burden uniuetly nny part of
tho country. He therefore addressod them an
representatives OF tho whole oountry. as etatoa-
mon bound by no narrow lines. aa honoat m,en
regarding it as their highest duty 90 we'll as