River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-03-31
Cheap TRANSPORTATION.

The Northwestern Cheap Iranspor-
tation Convention met at Little Rock,
on March 24th
Atemporary organization was effected
by calling J. NJ. Allan, Of Genesee, to
the chair, and making Waldo Nj. Pot
ter, OF Davenport, Secretary. Com
mittees on permanent organization, Gre
dcntials and resolutions, were appoint
ed. In the afternoon the committee on
organization reported, continuing the
temporary officers, and adding % Vice
Presidents. The committee on creden-
tials reported that they had been unable
10 see more than the credentials of 600
ont of the 800 present, and recommend
ed that all present be recognized as del
egates without further fosmality. The
reports were adopted.
Speeches were made by Enn. VIM.
Bross, of the Chicago Tribune, =. O.
Dore, Col. Utley, Chas. Durham, M.
S. Henry, Edward Russell, Waldo M.
Potter, and others, showing a wide di-
yersity of views, but all favoring cheap
transportation, and construction by the
general government of the Illinois and
Michigan canal, as important means to
the end
RESOLUTIONS were adopted declaring
the primary Importance of cheap trans
portation, and belief that the time has
come when the government of the
United States should exercise its con
stitutlonal power to assume such super
vision OF Interstate commerce as will
secure the people Of the country relief
from all unnecessary burdens imposed
ny existing OF contemplated monopolies
Second, That the expression of pop
ular opinion 10y the several previous
conventions, and by the legislatures of
ILLINOIS and Iowa. in favor Of canal
between the waters of the upper Missis
sippl river, Illinois river and the lakes,
have remained too long unnoticed and
neglected by the national government,
and should now be promptly consider
cd, respected, and complied with.
Third That in the Judgment of
this convention the construction of a
canal OF sufficient capacity for CONNER
clal purposes, from the Mississippi riv-
er ut or above Rock Island, to the
ILLINOIS river at or near Hennepin,
would tend more effectually to the So
luton OF the question of cheap trans
portation for those states bordering upon
the Mississippi river, above Rock
Island, than any projected work involv-
ing similar amount of money, and is
imperatively demanded by the necessities
OF the producer of the northwest as well
as the consumer in theeastern states and
IN foreign countries.
Fourth, Urging upon the govern
ment oil other feasible inter state i'm
proyements of the Mississippi and Hi
nois rivers, and
Fifth, Urging the people of Illinois
to cede to thegeneral government entire
control of the Illinois and Michigan
canal, and the Illinois river to be i'm
proved, and forever to be maintained
as navigable highway for the benefit
Of the nation, provided such course on
the part OF the people of Illinois be nee
essary to secure such action ON the part
OF the general government.
The sixth appoints a committee of
thirteen to memorabilia the general
government inaccordaneew with the views
expressed In these resolutions.
The seventh endorses the bill intro
duced Ia Congress by Hon. J. u. Haw-
ley, to provide for the construction of a
canal connecting the waters of Lake
Michigan and the Illinois, Mississippi
and Rock rivers, and recommends to
Senators and Representative of states
affected to use their influence for the
passage OF the bill.
The eighth favors improvement of
the Mississippi river, and construction
OF shipcanal atits mouth. Adjourned.