Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-10-09
OUR RIVER TRADE.
Preamble and Resolutions Adopted By
Ihs Representatives OF the steam
OnAaEe OF the Mississippi
Valley COnVensiOn.
Bslier from Oppressive Freisht Bur.
dsRs aust be Found in she Kn-
eOuragsment Of silver TranspeF-
tatfOR-PetiaiOu 10 Congress.

A mass convention called at st. Louis,
September 20, 1874, TO consider the causes Of
the depressed condition OF the marine conf
merce of the Valley of the Mississippi, dele
gates representing all the steam tonnage Of The
valley were present. AfteT mature considers
tion, the 10 lowing preamble and resolutions
were adopted:
WHEREAs, cheap transportation is deemed
Of the highest importance to the consumer as
we'll Rs to the producer, and es water trans
portation is known 10 afford the cheapest
mode OF transportation on water.sourses free
from distractions and sffOrding sufficient
water for practical navigation; ce Il
ResoSUeS, That 10 consideration OF the vast
productions OF this valley, and the numerous
streams that permeate every portion Of II, It
is the duty OF congress 70 make adequate ap-
preparations for the improvement and prOtec-
tion Of these streams, so that the products of
the country may reach the ma kets OF the
world 81 the lowest possible cost
Resolved, That we ask and respectful urge
our representatives In congress tc use their
best endeavOfs 70 secure the necessary appro-
priations TO carry out this object, and also 70
prevent the construction OF any more railroad
bridges across the great nAyigable streams OF
the valley, unless they are suspension bridges
or bridges built with span OF i've hundred
feet between the piers, and built as truss
bridges, with q straight cord, which shall be at
least one hundred feet above loW-water mark
measured at the point OF construction; ex
perlence IN engineering and mod ~ science
| having iully established The practicability Of
building such bridges.
ResslUed, That we earnestly request the at
tention OF our senators In congress TO the
great Importance to the navigation interests
OF the whole country, OF the early passage OF
representatives a. their last session, and urge
upon them TO give their personal attention TO
the early passage OF said Dili.
Resolved, That II II the sense OF this conyen-
ton that the present system Of cities and
| towns charging steam boats iOr the privilege
OF landing, Is nnjus and, therefore, we pro-
/ test against all such charges, and will use Onr
best endeavors 70 have all laws sustainiu g
those charges repealed.
Reso psd, That this convention fully sppre-
ciates the efforts OF the executive COMMITTEES
appointed al the LouiHvllle convention In ISL,
I and since continued and enlarged by ths
national board OF steam navigation, In their
efforts to secure new inspection law, and for
any other legislative enactments looking TO
an improved condition Of water transpOrta
| ton.
| and respectfully urge all steamboat associ .
tions, not already members, 70 join and be-
come auxiliary or branch members OF the
National board OF steam Navigation.
Resolved, That We deem It the duty OF all
assoc iatiOns " steam bOaLfnen and owners OF
steamDoats,to eontrlonte 70 me e1pense OF the
executive committee while they are engaged
| In Washington, attempting to secure much
needed legislation In the interests OF navigs-
I ton.
Reso Ted, That we approve OF the action Of
the national board In appointing B. S. OsbOn,
editor OF the Nautical Gazette, and correspond
ing secretary OF the board, 10 the duty OF
visiting the different marine ports of the
country, and where there is no organization
/ OF stea 10 boat interests, to endeavor to have
/ such organisations established and repre-
senfed in the national board, and where or
gauiBatious already exis', and have become
! iukewarm or discouraged, 70 give them vitali-
| u by public and private addresses, or N any
other manner practicable.
Res0lued, That we krow and appreciate Mr..
Osbons eminent ability as an earnest and
practical worker and forctble speaker, and
would cordially welcome him TO all our vest
| ern and southern ports, assuring him that no
/ better Geld for missionary labor eau be fODnd,
| and no more acceptable missionary could be
sent.
SUPPLEMENTARY RESOLUTIONS.
WHKRRAs, The government of ths United
Statea having appropriated money fOT the
Improvement Of the mouth OF the Mississippi
BY a system known as the jetty system,
navigation Of the same; and having, also, In
/ the last three years, made Rppr priaticns for
| a system OF dredg ging, which failed 20 make
permanent a sufficient depth OF water; and
| WHEREAS, Ths commerce Of th= great vest
and south Is now suffering fron the difficulty
of the river, thereby forcing tbs tganspoTta-
I ton Of the products Of the Mississippi valley
! over unnatQFsl and, costly routes 70 the tide
water, thereby costing the valley Of the Mis-
1 ssssippi many millions Of dollars yearly; snd
recommended for tue last thirty years canal
a. or about Fort 81. Phillip, Terminating in
/ the deep water Of the Gulf Of Mexico, with
5uitabie ie depth OF water 70 raes vessels throu3
drsving twenty SIX fest therefore, be .
ana rivsf-msn of the Mississippi valley, "a
cOnveptton assenBeied, DO recon mend 3 ens
| eunarnas Of the pnitpd states the building al
/ aid sanai, as rsosrarasadoc b. said sngineSru
and the nsttonal board cf steam naviRstlon Of
the Uplted States