The New York herald., 1873-12-14
W "A S e Z N c. TO ~ /.


Congregational Caucus on Cheap Trans-
portatton-The Water Routes Betwcen
the West and the Seabonrd.
The meeting called for this evening 10 the Han
or the House of Representatives to compare views
on the subject OF rapid and cheap TRANSPORTATION
was presided over by Representative Dunnel, OF
Minnesota. Representatives Clements. OF Illinois,
and Stone, OF Missouri, were chosen Secretaries.
Fifty or sixty Representatives were present.
together with Senators Alcorn, OF Mississippi, ana
Stevenson, OF Kentucky.
Representative Sypher, OF Louisiana, READ the
call Tor the meeting. which, be said, was signe
by over 100 members. This meeting, he re-
marked, was not for the purpose OF commits
ting any individual 10 any particular project
Yue East was interested in this question equally
with the great West and South. In MS Judgment
the Improvement OF the natural channels
was the first question TO which they
should address themselves. These would secure
the end they sought TO a greater degree and at
less expense TO the country than any otner project
Of artificial means which could be devised. After
speaking or the vast products oil the Mississippi
Valley, showing the sXcess OF Western products
seeking Eastern and European markets, be ng In
amount onetenth OF the or yield Of cereals,
he said these cereals were transported by three
great wafer roates-namely, the st. Lawrence the
Hudson and the Mississippi rivers.
COMPARISON or ROUTES.
The average freight rates per bushe and time OF
transit are lollows:-
From Chicago TO Liverpool, by the -. Lawrence
route, 4j cents per hushe and 5S days time.
BY the Hudson River route, 40 cents per bushel
and 5S days time.
BY the Mississippi from st. Louis, 81 cents per
Dushel and 30 days time.
The two first named routes were icebonnd five
months out OF the u, whereas the latest was prac-
ticabe ire entire year. White he was an advocate
and pressed the advantages OF the Mississippi
route, he desired it to be distinctly UNDERSTOOD Inat
he did not antagonize 1t with other projects.
or the Fort ST. Phillip Canal. he spoke especially
ofits necessitv, the natural depth OF water at the
mouth oil the Mississippi being only II eet. The
government dredge boats have maintained a depth
OF from II 10 20 feet, but this was not reliable.
He continued TO speak AT length on the Importance
OF this subject, and OF the great advantages, not
tile entire country.
VIRGINIA ROUTE.
Representative Harris, oil Virginia, spoke OF the
Improvement Of the James River and kanawha
Canal, which would connect the Kanawha River
with the Atlantic afording the great West an out
many OF those who framed government,
including including General Was hington,, himself a
by order OF the government, and all the engineers
reported Its feasibility. II would not cost over
A. compared win the benefits which would accrue
from IT. Water communication though slow ana
pool was nearer BY 1000 miles, by way OF Nor DIX
than by way OF New Orleans. He was prepared 10
go into any examination OF all the Improvement
projects and TO give such OF them were proper
his cordial support. Tney were great national
questions and must not be treated alone OF In
tsfest TO the Mlsssspl Valley but as OF advantage
10 a common country aud common destiny.
Representative COBB. OF Kansas, said he should
like to know whether this was caucus OF mem
bers, residing in the MISSISSIPPI Valley met TO con-
Bder the interests OF tnat section OF country ana
Canal.
Mr.. Harris replied that he did not wish to in !
trnde himself on the caucus, and imagined that he
was at liberty to speak Of one OF the great means
oi transportation, as he was not aware tie call
was exclusive in ITS character.
A NATIONAL NOT SECTIONAL OBJECT
Mr.. Sypher here interposed, SAYING to his friend
from Virginia and all others that the cali did not
Valley. This question was national and could not
be made sectional.
Representative Burc6ard, OF Illinois, came here
representing constituency deeply interested in
tins transportation question. He did not suppose
the object was TO agree upon any particular plan,
TO to express his his views s''a and that he Venn wend
acquire knowledge for future considerati tion with
. view to acting intelligently such measures a.
might be brought before the House. He did not
think 1t prudent 10 agree on any Llan; In TACT, II
was impossible @ now to do 50. strong and popular
consisting OF gentlemen IRON the West and the
South, who were to take charge OF all matters re-
transportation. He should be happy TO hear more
fully the views ofgentemen, either before after
that committee shall make report.
COMMON COURSE SUPERIOR TO POLITICS.
Representative Crittenden, OF Missouri felt graft
ned III seeing 50 many Of al parties meeting to-
getner for the common elevation oil our country,
from Maine TO California hitting II from the valley
Of sectlonallsm to the broad plain OF nationality
He was here to cooperate with anybody.
provided they could 50 act as to carry
their projects. Congress had given millions to
railroad companies and, while he did not make
war upon them, ne thought Low was the time or
those living In the Mississippi Valley 10 apply TO
congress n1 oeSsd 70 give them s saen assistance as
the West commencing wnere the Mississippi
takes It's rise, to where 1t finds It's outlet, and
He hoped they would all agree before they lett
Washington upon some plan satisfactory to the
THE NEED OF THE FARMERS.
Mr.. Loughridge, OF Iowa, was glad to see so
MANY members here IRON the Mississippi Valley.
NO one question interested their constituents 80
mt ch rs cheap transportation. They We're too apt
to lorset that there was any other section than
their own. The South at one time forgot there was
North and the North that there was South.
Inc East was beginnlng TO find out that
in Congress, and now comes with relieved
strength. The West haC th., u wer to obtain re-
dress ii they would but nnita. He wished 10 take
In the whOie country ard obtain such improve
ments as would be ol rational benefit. ilie cost
was nothing 10 this matter. His constituents
were farmers, and must, therefore, have an outlet
Tor thelr sur Jus produce.
FINANCE AND TRANsPoRTATIoN.
Representative Stanard, oi Missouri. said there
wee TWO subjects wnich commanded more atfen-
ton than any otners-viz hnanc- ana the trans
portatun IN ercsts OF the countIy-and these were
closely united. The truth was the coun-
Try had grown beyond The facilities Tor
transportation. These have not inc, eaSed
az the productions have increased WITHIN the
last ten years. There was not q larger number of
through lines now from the East TO tAe West than
at tue close OF the war. These railroad lines have
had monopoly for years, especially during the
winter months, when lake navigation was closed
ana river navigation partly closed, and charged
their own price.
THE MOTH or THE MISSISSIPPI
Representative Clark, OF Kansas, wished TO offer
resolution declaring that the meeting was in
!avor oil the government improving the mou IN OF the
Ms sisslpp, either by the construction OF the Fort
81. Pmnp Canal, or otherwise, as competent engi.
neers deem TO be feasible, the earliest practical
pie moment, as the first great work OF internal
Improvement.
Representative Burchard said this meeting had
no rlght 10 bind members TO any plan Gentlemen
could ouIy express their indivldu i opinions
MI Stanai u, resumng, expressed the hone that
no resolution would be offered. lie proceeded to