The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-14
raging, although every endeavor is being made to
put 1t out. Assistance from Ptctou and New Glas-
Cow, where great excitement prevails, is at hand,
and strenuous exertions are being made to sub
due the connegration. This city Is excited over
the news OF the calamity.
TIE CONGRESSIONAL CONVENTION.
Meeting Of Western Congressman in st. Louis
The Mayor Makes Known the Wants of the
South and West-Inoreased Facilities
for Water transportation with the
Ocean Addresses BY Mr. Blow
and Governor Woodson.
ST. LOUIS, May 10, 1873.

The Temple in which the Congressional Confer
ence Is held Is handsomely decorated with nags
and banners; shields. bearing the names OF all the
States Of the Union are hung from the ratings OF
the gallery, and the stage is deliberately embehished
with flowers and living pants in bloom.
The Conference was called to order at half-past
twelve O'Clock by Hon. Henry 7. Blow, who stated
that on consultation with gentlemen from all parts
OF the country IL had been decided that Mayor
Brown, as Executive Of the city OF st. Louis should
preside over the Conference, and that the members
OF the Local Executive Committee should serve as
the other officers OF the Conference.
Mayor Brown then took the chair and introduced
Bishop Bowman who invoked divine blessing on
the Conference.
MAYOR BROWNS ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
Mayor Brown tnen delivered the address OF
welcome on behalf OF the citizens Alter bidding
the Congressman present most cordial and hearty
welcome on behalf OF the whole people OF ST.
LOUIS and one which he hoped would make the
memory oil the visit pleasant, he SAID
1t was not our purpose in inviting you here
to-day merely TO discuss our local attractions
neither TO bring undue influences to bear YOU
and thereby endeavor to secure your committal to
Legislation calculated to take advantage or njure
any portion oil our com.nOn country. We have
designated this Convention as convention"
but IN character IL is more OF an informal and
practical exhibit OF the needs OF the West and
South Tor improved water lines to the ocean. We
any vote IN advance on legislative propositions;
nor do we intend to embarrass you by strict par
liamentary proceedings.
The Mayor then referred to the necessity OF inn
proved water routes to the seaboard and noted
what the government had done Tor the seacoast in
claimed that the same should be done Tor the West
and to Illustrate the perls Of navigation on the
Mississippi River, he SAID that In bend OF that
RIVER only four miles In extent, there lie wrecks or
thirty-six steamers damming up the way, and that
it is appropriately called Graveyard Bendn He
Il nf lU n WQgf q ira ter al in
removing distractions from and deepening the
channel Of the Mississippi River and its tributaries
For cheap transit Tor the products OF the Missis
sippi Valley has, and must always have, great in
the fact that in consequence OF the high rates OF
freight to the seabOard, many farmers have actually
burned their corn, because It could not be mar.
keted without bringing them In debt. In view OF
ness OF the West he appealed to Congressman to
consider the situation and accord that aid which
will remove the trouble.
GENERAL OBJECTS OF THE CONFERENCE.
Hon. Henry I. Blow then delivered an address on
the general objects OF the Conference, in the
OF which he said that cheap transportation was the
great thing needed. The country Is threaded with
railroads. over which passengers and freight can
be transported in all directions but feeling has
grown up in this valley, as well as in other parts OF
combinations on the part OF these corporations
against the interests OF the producing classes he
OF the country as the proudest monument to pro-
gress ever reared by mortal hands, and to-day Is
the glory OF q republic enthr0ned IN the midst OF
its created wealth. He urged generous treat
ment OF those great representatives OF capital,
labor and enterprise, and said he who would I'M
duly impede that progress would soon learn That
the march Of American enterprise cannot be ar.
rested by prejudice or Ignorance and that enr
plighted faith can never be .st1f bed by senseless
Reputation or schemes OF narrow demag0gues.
AS remedy for these real or supposed combina-
tons he aqa 70 20 carry 1Hs
country national watef system equal TO our rail-
road system the result OF which, ne said, would be
the admiration OF tbs world lie then referred TO
lev and said st. Lois was destined to become the
centre OF the iroi trade OF the world, and that
within twenty years Texas Will produce more cot
ton annually th'n Is now exported from the whole
Hon. r. O. SrANARD member elect to Congress
from the Firt district OF this city, then intro
duced. and spoke, on behalf OF the Merchants
Exchange OF 81 LOUIS on the commercial in
terests the Mississippi Valley. His speech was
Gu,te langthy and abounded IN statistical lnforma-
ton bearing upon the productiveness OF the
couysry and the great demand lor increased and
GOVERNOR wooDSON'S ADDRESS,
Governor WOodson was then introduced and
gave the members q warm fraternal welcome on
to the reports which have general circulation to
the effect that this meeting had some political
significance or purpose. This he denied In toto,
stating that no one had any such design. and say
OF the people OF the city and State is to see all
parts Of this great country united In fraternal
bonds, bound by common interests, and sectional
feelings and animosities put aside forever. He
then entered into some interesting statistics re-
garding the agricultural and mining wealth Of
Missouri.
Alter short speeches by other gentlemen, formal
invitations to visit New Orleans and Galveston
were extended and accepted.
The Convention adjourned till tomorrow.