The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-05-14
ST. LOUIS.
Fatal Railroad Accident.


road was thrown from the track yester.
day, between Staunton and Edwards
vile, and six cars smashed and the To-
comotive upset. Jacob Berthel, the
engineer, was killed, and Martin Henry,
the fireman, was badly wounded.
The New York excursion party,
which left yesterday morning for a trip
to Indian Territory, over the Atlantic
& Pacific railroad, arrived at Springfield
last evening, where they were met by
many prominent citizens OF that place
and pleasantly entertained. They were
welcomed by Ex-Governor John S.
Phelps in a neat speech, which was
responded to by ex-Mayor Guenther
and other gentlemen OF New York.
The Republican has special from
Houston, Texas, noting the destruction
by fire OF block Of business houses in
Calvert, Robinson county, Yesterday.
The loss is $4,000.
The Texas State Fair will open at
Houston to-day. The exhibition prom
ises to be fine, and the attendance very
large.
The Convention OF Congressmen
which was called to meet in this city
at noon to-day, assembled, and, after
being called to order, permanent or
ganization was effected.
Mayor Brown then delivered an ad-
dress in which, after bidding the Con.
gressmen present most cordial and
hearty welcome on behalf OF the whole
people Of St. Louis, I'd one which he
hoped would make memory Of their
visit pleasant, he said: at was not
our purpose in inviting you here to-day
to merely discuss our local attractions,
neither WAS it our desire to invite you
here for the purpose of bringing undue
influences to bear on you, ard thereby
endeavor to secure your committal to
legislation, calculated to take advsn-
tage OF or injure any portion of our
common country. We have designs-
ted this assembly as a Convention, but
in character it is more OF an informal
and friendly conference. We desire to
submit a plain, practical exhibit of the
needs of the West and South for inn
proved water lines to the ocean. We
do not desire to excite discussion, nor
do we ask vote in advance on legisla-
tive propositions, nor do we intend to
embarrass you by strict parliamentary
proceedings. The Mayor then refers
to the necessity OF improved water
routes to the seaboard, and notes what
the Government has done for the sea
coast in the way Of protection to lie
and property, and claims that the same
should be done for the West; and to
illustrate the perils Of navigation on
the Mississippi river, he says that In
one bend OF that river only four miles
in extent, there lie the wrecks OF thirty
six steamers, damming up the way, and
that it is appropriately called Grave
yard Bend. He says not only the west
and south are interested in removing
obstructions from and the deepening OF
the channels OF the Mississippi river and
its tributaries, but the whole country
and also foreign nations, for the cheap
transit Of the products OF ottheMississippl
valley has, aud must always have great
influence on the markets OF the world.
He also cites the TACT that in conse-
quence ofthe high rates OF freight to
the seaboard, many farmers have ac-
tuaIly burned their corn because il
could not be marketed without bringing
them in debt In view OF these and
various other drawbacks to trade and
business OF the West, appeals to the
to consider the situation
and record that aid which will remove
the trouble.
Hon. Henry 7. Blow then delivered
an address on the general objects OF the
He begged Congressman
to believe that we are all national in
our feelings and aims; and would scoru |
to receive at your hands single favor
that would burden unjustly any part OF
the country. We therefore address you
IS representatives OF the whole country,
as statesmen bound by no narrow lines,
as honest men, regarding it as your
highest duty as well as your supreme
pleasure to investigate the condition
and claims OF the feeble and strong
alike, and to mete out equal and exact
Justice to all. The speaker then refer
red to the necessity Of return TO specie
payments, and urged Congress to effect
this at as early day as practicable.
Referring to the requirements OF sgri-
culture, mining and manufactures, be
said cheap transportation was the great
hing needed; the country is threaded
with railroads over which passengers
and freight can be transported in
all directions, but a feeling has
ately grown up in this valley,
,s well as 10 other parts OF the country
hat there is an existing and extending
on the part OF these cor
oorstlons against the interests OF the
producing classes. He then paid
glowing tribute to the railroad system
'f the country as the proudest monu-
men, OF progress ever reared by mortal
hands, and to-day as the glory OF a re-
public enthroned in the midst OF its
;reated wealth. He urged generous
reatment OF these great representatives
If capital, labor, and enterprise, and
aid that be who would unduly impede
heir progress will soon learn that the
march Of American enterprise canDo.
'e arrested by prejudice or ignorance,
nd that our pligbted faith can never be
disturbed BY seuseless reputation or
chemes Of carrow demsgogues.