The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-24
GREAT UNANIMITY AND ENTHU-
SLASH FOR THE PROPOSED
CANAL!


on his motion Maj. James Nj. Allan was
unanimously chosen temporary chairman.
Maj. Allan briefly addressed the conven-
ton upon the Importance of the questions
they had met to consider, after which
Waldo M. Potter, of Davenport, was ap-
pointed Secretary pro tenn, with b. +.
Shaw, of Dixon, W. +. Eastman, of Sterl-
ing, and o. Wilkinson, of Tiskilwa, Assis.
tant Secretaries.
DR.. G. Trucsdale, of Rock Island, NOV
ed the appointment of a committee on per-
manent organization. Carried.
On motion of Edw'd Russell, of Daven-
port, amended by DR.. Truesdale, a COM
mittee to determine the basis of represen-
tation was ordered.
A letter from Col Flagler, comman-
dant at Rock Island Arsenal, was read, in
viting members to visit the Arsenal Ac-
cepted, with thanks.
The call for the convention was read.
On motion of 7. j. Robinson, of Rock
Island, committee on credentials was Jr-
dered.
On motion of Col Joseph Utley, of Dix
on, voted to refer all resolutions to the COM
mittee on resolutions without debate.
On motion of Mr.. Randolph, of Chicago,
it was decided that when the convention
adjourns it adjourned until 2 o'clock P. NJ,
and that there be an afternoon and even
ing session. and that the convention then
adjourn sine die.
The Chair announced the following COM
mittees, ordered by the convention:
Committee on Permanent Organization.
'-Chas. Durham, Geneseo; Jos. Craw-
Fo-l Of r
catine; DIR. G. TIuesdale, of Rock Island
Geo. NJ. Howe, of Chicago, President
Board of Trade.
Committee on Credentials IT. J. Rob
inson of Rock Island Williamson Durley,
of Putnam county; J. Haley,of Will coun-
ty; VIM. Renwick, of Davenport D. C.
Dimock, of Moline.
On Resolutions. &C. Randolph. of Chi
cago (. Russell, of Davenport; J. E.
Ayers, of Lee county; H. ". Wells, Of
Peoria ThOs. NJ. Munroe, of Dubuque.
Adjourned to P NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The attendance was very large, the hall
though capable of containing 800 people,
was densely packed. every inch of standing
room being occupied, and large numbers
unable to gain an entrance,
At2 o CLOCK the convention was called tc
order, and the Hon. Charles Durham
chairman of the committee on organization,
reported that the present temporary or
ganization be made the permanent organi
zation, with the following vice presidents
q. NJ. Howe, Pres Board of Trade, Chi
cago RIP Derickson, Cook county; A
Barlow, and T. r. butcher, of Lee Co..
jonas H. NJ GORE and Col. |. II. Elliott Of
Bureau Co.; Robt. Grier and Z. s. Wilcos
of Peoria Col. A. w. Perry and Levi
Higgins of Henry Co; DIR. Thos. Gait
Mayor of Rock Island, and Henry Dart of
Rock Island; NJ. S. Henry, w. G. Snyder
of Whiteside Co.; j. L. Moore, of 0gle
K. X. Jones, of Adams Co.; William Rem
wick, Pres. Board of Trade of Davenport
and Edward Russell of Scott Co., Iowa
John Mahin, and Chas. Silverman of Mus
catine; I. NJ. Monroe of Dubuque; Z. S
Hart of Clinton. The report was unani
mously adopted
Pending the report from other commit
tees Gov. Bross read paper on transpor
tatiOn, showing the advantage of waite
over all other modes, to the producin!
classes, etc., etc.
At the close of Gov Bross' remarks,
Mr.. j. G. Dore, of Chicago, by invitation
addressed the convention. The speake
reviewed the legislation by the State anC
Congress upon the present canal proiec
and the cause of subsequent inaction OF
the subject He referred at some length
to the prices of transportation by rail com
pared with water routes, and pronounced
the latter, not the next best. but the bes
and cheapest means of transportation
He characterized the present project a
a public necessity, and as it is common t.
several States and benefit to the Who'll
country, should be built by the genera
government.
AT the close of Mr. Dores remarks tn,
committee on credentials through thei
chairman, Capt L. j. Robinson, reporte,
that owing to the large number presen
and to the limited time allowed to do tn
business of the convention, and as they ha
been able to obtain only a partial list, the
would report that all who were in sympa
Thy with the movement be granted seat
In the convention.
Calls were made for Col Utley, of Dixon
one OF our State Canal Commissioners, who
IN few well-timed remarks, excused him
self, and called out Hon. Charles Durham
one OF the Representatives in the Legisla
ture from this District. Mr.. Dunbar
took the stand amidst applause and deliv
cred most vigorous, well considered an
excellent speech. Frequent and continue
applause greeted the speaker during hi
remarks and at the close the committee o
resolutions, through their chairman, Nj
Randolph, of Chicago, made the followin
report:
WHEREAS, The question of cheapening the co
OF transportation ON the products of The country h,
come TO De considered and is now universally r.
garded, both by the producers and consumers
second to no other question before the people an
WHEREAS, This convention, composed OF repr
sentatves from the agI icultural, mercantile an
manufacturing interes of the northwestern State
has been convened to consider this importa,
question, therefore, resolved:
| /. That we believe the time has come when n
government of the United States, In the dischart
of its duties to the people, under the power e
Pressly conferred upon 1t by the constitution
declare its purpose to assume such supervision ar
control over all branches of interstate CONNER,
as will secure TO the people of the whole COUNT
RELIEF fr M all unnecessary burdens imposed, (eith
by existing monopolies or by the facilities th
may be established with comparatively little cos
z. That the expression Of popular opinion her
tofore given, demanding completed communic
lon oy canal between the waters of the Upp
Mississippi river, the Illinois river and the Lake
as those expressions were severally made at Il
conventions of 1855, held OF Geneseo, and at Ro,
Island, and as authoritatively placed on record |
the respective memorials to Congress of the EN-
General As,e nOly o. Iowa, the Legislature of III
nois, The city councils of Davenport and Rot
island, and other cities in Iowa and Illinois, ougl
not to have remained unnoticed and ne giected
long by the National Government, and should no
be promptly considered, res ected and compli,
with.
8. That in the judgment of this convention Il
construction of o canal of sufficient capacity f
commercial purposes from the Mississippi river
above Rock Island to the Illinois river at or ne
IA ,.afnN uallv