Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-05-16
Last Days Proceedings - James
River and the KanaWha Canal
Under Consideration.
Speech of Governor Walker, OF
Virginia, on the Necessity Of
Cheap Transportation.
AdiOurnment-EXcursiOn to New
Orleans and GalVestOn-A
Trip by Railroad and
River.

ST. LOUIS, May 15.-The congressional
conference met in general session to- day
at eleven O'Clock, and Governor Walker,
of Virginia, was chosen chairman, and
the reading clerk Of the last house of
representatives acted as secretary.
Captain Joe Eads presented the fol-
lowing resolutions, which he said had
been adopted by the Merchants Ex-
change, and desired to have them added
to those presented yesterday:
ReSolUed, That We regard the COM
pletion of the James River and Kanawha
canal-the cherished scheme of its au-
thor, George Washington, connecting
as it will the waters of the Atlantic with
the great Mississippi valley-as worthy
the prompt and profound consideration
of the State of Virginia in surrendeTing
her interest of twelve millions of dollars
in this improvement in the people of the
whole country to insure them cheap
rates of transportation 10y water-line to
the Atlantic coast.
Resolved, That We recommend to con-
gress the construction of the Atlantic
and Great Western canal, believing it
to be an enterprise of national interest,
and which, when completed, viii be of
value commensurate with its cost.
ReSOlUed, That the Fox and Wisconsin
river improvement has already become
q national work, and is deserving Of the
continued recognition of congress.
A telegram was received from Cover
nor Smith, of Georgia, inviting the con-
vention to attend the convention of
governors to be held in Atlanta on the
twentieth of May; and another from the
mayor of Dallas, Texas, rendering the
hospitalities of that city to the excur-
sionists' party, which will go to Calves
tor.
Governor Walker then made a brief
speech, in which he urged the necessity
Of cheap transportation, and advocated
the improvement of the present water
outlets, the construction Of canals, and
especially the James river and Kanawha
canal, the building of which he
showed was entirely feasible. He also
said that he would contribute largely to
effect the object so universally desired
a cheap transit to the seabOard.
Judge Lawrence, of Ohio, offered the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That the cordial thanks of
the members Of congress here assem-
bled are hereby rendered to the official
authorities and citizens Of st. Louis for
the generous hospitality which they
have extended to rs.
Resolved, That we have listened with
profound interest to the able and in
stTuctive addresses delivered before us,
and that it is respectfully recommended
that said addresses and the proceedings
of the convention, including the resolu-
tiOns presented to It, be published in
pamphlet form, and that a copy be for
warded to each member of congress.
Resolved, That we feel deeply impress
ed with the great importance of the in
terests presented TO US, and that it is our
deliberative judgment that they deserve
the earnest and careful consideration of
congress.
Mr.. Field, of Michigan, moved their
adoption.
Judge Lawrence, of Ohio, said there
was no doubt about the first resolution,
and it needed no debate. With the
second, everybody must see that the
proceedings were valuable and should
be placed in the hands Of members Of
congress. The third resolution, where it
says that the proceedings deserve
the careful consideration of congress,
and SAYS all that is necessary is to say /:
al am in favor of congress taking charge
of all matters of this kind; am in favor
OF the James river canal and the St
Lawrence canal; and in favor of con-
gress taking steps TO remove the OBJ
structions from the mouth of the Missis-
sippi river"
The resolutions were adODted.
Mr.. Field, of Michigan, offered a resO-
luton in favor of the Niagara ship ca
nal which with the raeolufiOns already
TO be printed with the proceedings of
the convention.
On motion of Mr.. Young, of Georgia,
the convention then adjourned.