The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-05-15

In addition to the prominent gen tie
men present yesterday, were Governor
Austin, of Maine; Governor Osburn, of
Kansas; and a number Of Senators aud
Congressman.
I Mayor Brow n stated that many letters
had been received from various promi-
nent gentlemen invited. Among them
was the following:
ExEcUrIyE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, May 10. !
Hon. James Bro,0n, Mayor Of 81 Louis {;
SIR: The President directs me to
acknowledge the receipt Of, and to ex-
press to you his thanks for your polite
invitation for the 18th OF this month,
and to say that his engagements else
where are such that be fnds 1t impos-
sible to accept. He also wishes me to
thank you for the very kind tender Of
the hospitalities Of your house to him
sell and family.
[Sigued o. BABcooK.
Secretary.
The Board Of Water committee re-
quested the members of the Convention
to visit their works at any proper time
Hon. E Wells requested all the Visi-
tors to enjoy Inequalities at his home
at 2,725 Olive street tonight. Ac-
cepted with applause.
Gov. Walker, OF Virginia, here took
his place on the main stand and was
greeted with applause. 1t was an
nounced that. Amber Smith had pre-
pared paper on improvement OF James
River Il Kanawha Canal, and some
would be distributed among members
OF Congress this afternoon 10 Committee
room. Captain James B. Eads was
then introduced, and presented the
Secretary, the resolutions prepared
by Committee OF Merchsnts' Union
Express Co., OF St. Louis. contained
among them the following:
Resotved, That the deepening OF the
mouth of the Mississippi river is of the
very greatest importance to the interests
OF the entire valley OF the Mississippi
and OF great moment to the whole
country. A. solution of this prob
lem, we believe, will be achieved
by closing up sll of the inferior outlets
OF the river, contributing its waters by
the system of jetties to the channel.
By this means depth Of at least TWEEN
ty or twenty-five feet may be obtained
in the southwest pass. And the outlay
will be small compared with the many
million dollars that will be saved 10 the
country by the work. Wnen once ac-
complish ed small al unual appropriations
will suffice to maintain the required
depth forever afterwards.
Resolved, That the improvement OF
the upper and lower rapids OF the Mis-.
sissippi river should be vigorously pros.
ecuted until the navigation OF these
parts OF that river are made safe and
convenient, and that Improvements al
ready commenced on all other rivers
of this valley should be energetically
prosecuted 10 completion.
ReSolved, That the vast commerce
depending on the Mississippi river for
choap transportation, demands that no
artificial obstruction be permitted in its
channel, except upon the most urgent
necessity, and that no bridges should be
built across it unless below St. Louis
and having spans OF no less width than
five hundred leet. and height OF seven
ty-fve feet above high water mark.
Resolvcd, That while we recognize
the great importance OF railroads to
the prosperity aud development Of our
country, we think the numerous mu1if-
icent subscriptions granted to many OF
them by the general government the
benefits o. which have in some measure
been employed by all Of the roads in
this valley, justifies US in asking that
the navigation OF our great water high.
ways should be relieved OF dangers and
delays to which it is subjected by many
badly constructed railroad bridges on
the upper Mississippi river by requiring
them to be so modified as TO lessen the
number OF accidents constantly occur
ing to river crafts by collisions with
their piers.
ReSotutd, That the interests OF the
valley demand the most economical
means OF transportation to and from the
foreign markets Of the world, and the
safest and most durable class OF steam
ers, bsrges, &c. for its inland water SER
vice, and that it should he the duty OF
eace Representative in Congress to vote
for the removal Of every artificial i'm
pedimept which interieres with such
cheap transportation, or which prevents
the adoption OF such sale and durable
means for internal navigation.
Resolved That we declare that the
revenue Law which for5ids the registry
to the ship OF an American citizen
simply because she was built in a for
eign land, and thus compel him to float
flags OF another nation above his pro-
perty, is a burdensome imposition upon
The people Of this valley, ana is 9 policy
unworthy OF past ages.
Reso Iced, That il protection Of the
Iron Makers be deemed tf
.uch vital importance TO the nation.
that they must be shielded from foreign |
com petition BY laws which SO far in-
erdict the commecre on inland rivers OF
his valley which drive produce into
English and German ships on the
ocean, there should be some substan-
isl government encouragement given |
70 the construction OF iron vessels
and such patronage as Will
sustain the American steamship |
ines against this unequal competition,
and thus lit our once great mercantile
nsrine from its disgrace, aud keep lives
sud property from being longer imPer"
lied N voodrn ships and floating
finder bo&es.
GSigued. JAS. RIns,
W. GoRED.
j. A. SUpDBR,
G. E. ScUDDER,