The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-06

submitted the following report of the COM
mittee on the improvement of the nayiga
ton of the Mississippi river, which was re-
ceived, read and adopted:
The committee appointed on the i'm
proVement OF the navigation OF the Mlssis-
sippi river and its tributaries and the con-
fnement of its waters within its banks, res
pectfully submitted the following report:
WHEREAS, In view of the magnitude of
of the interest involved in the improve
ment of the Mississippi river and its navi-
gable tributaries, so as to furnish the COM
mercial communication between all their
ports and with foreign nations and to pro-
tect the inhabitants on its banks from over
flow to the extent of their practicable inn
provement and wants of the population up
on their borders, now and in time to come; !;
and
WHEREAS, The vast interest that may
be thus subserved have not been advanced
according to their just requirements nor in
any degree comparable to the improvement
of the commercial avenues of no greater
national importance by the federal govern
ment, which alone has jurisdiction and
power to accomplish the same; therefore
| be it
Resolued, That this convention recon-
mend to the governors of the respective
states bordering upon said river and it's
naVigable tributaries to appoint commits
sloDers to represent the respective states
in board of commissioners, which shall
be permanent and continue as long as
there is necessity for the same. This
board of commissioners shall inquire into
all matters appertaing to the improve
ment of the navigation Of the river and
tributaries, of the Improvement of banks
so as to prevent overflow, and of the COM
merce of the valley of the Mississippi 1t
shall be the duty of said commissioners to
disseminate from time to time, through the
press or by an address to the public or in
any suitable mode, such intelligence among
the people so vitally interested as to them
may seem desirable upon the subject of
the improvement herein proposed; and 1t
shall be the further duty of said commits
sion to gather, collect and embody such in
formation and facts as to them may seem
appropriate, and communicate the same
to congress by way of memorial or other
wise for the purpose of inducing that body
to make appropriations fer the improve
ment herein proposed.
2. That it is the paramount duty of the
general government, under its special d.
rection and supervision, to construct and
maintain embankments or levees along the
Missis sippiriver andlts tributaries wherever
the same may be needed to prevent GREY
asses and inundation of the people who
have their homes and fields endangered.
j 3. That it is equally the paramount duty
of the general government to make such
appropriations for the Mississippi river an6
its tributaries as are required to so deeper
the channels of these rivers as to afford
cheap, easy and uninterrupted tranporta
ton at low water for the products of tht
people living on these rivers to the ad
joining states and to foreign countries.
4. ResoIued, That the deep channe
already had at the mouth of the Mississippi
E river by means of the jetties, saving in thC
year 1877, the first year of their partia
completion, more value in freight to th,
commerce of the country than the sum pait
as yet for the Improvement by the u. S
: government, justifes, in the opinion o
E this convection. call on congress t.
speedily grant any additional Legislation
that may be required to facilitate the ful
D and final com plelion of these works.
? Resolved, That in order to give forct
and effect to the recommendation made il
q this resolution, we request the presiden
of this convention to appoint Mr.. Under
= wood, of Louisville, KY. committee 0
one to address the governors of the state
bordering or the Mississippi and its navi
: gable tributaries and urge them to COMP
. with the recommendation made In sai
: first resolution.
. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, arose t
:, address the convention amid proloDge
applause. Mir. Davis said not only did b
y represent the state of Mississippi upo
i this important question, but every stat
n bordering upon that great river. Their
g are two important objects toward the im
y provement of the Mississippi river to b
y lovercome-the caving IN of its banks an
the overfowing of the same,
al The president OF the convention her
n interrupted Mr.. Davis, requesting him {
\ speak louder as the shorthand reportt
: was unable to hear fully what he had sait
and a general desire was expressed th,
the remarks be entered upon the minute
Mr.. Hogan, of Mississippi, suggeste
- that Mr.. Davis occupy the platform
- Applause
- Mr. Davis then proceeded through Il
e centre aisle and assembled TO the platforI
70 where be was again greeted with loud a
- plsuse, Mr.. Davis thanked the deleg
{ ton for the honor conferred upon him az
. resumed his remarks. Mr.. Davis said IL
'e resolutions accompanying the report we
90 full and complete. That had he the drai
y, ing of them he could not add word
le their effect or purpose, nor would he tai
10 one word therefrom. They were compile
" in expressing the objects to be desired
~ ~ the Improvement of the navigation of tn
II II great river. Railroads might come al
n N railroads might GO, but the Mississip
81 9 river would flow on to the end of time, al
- the city of New Orleans ultimately becor
~ one of the mightiest emporiums of t
world-a city of commerce second to no
among the nations.
;. At mass meeting tonight at the Y
- rieties Theatre, composed mainly OF lea
Y ing and influential citizens, presided ov
ho bo by Gen. Fred w. Ogden, after prayer
~ n' the Rev. Dr. Palmer and an address
y. Chief Justice Mann, the following resol
- - tions were adopted:
- ReSolUed, That in this universal te:
- mony of our fellow-countrymen that we
one forevermore in woe as in veal, we
rs eoguize the beniguant voice of great p
= pie which should silence with stern vo
the utterances of wicked men, who
ignoble and selfish ends would arouse or
,aI more the clamors of sectional discord, a
to we declare as our unanimous sentime
les with unaffected sincerity of grateful hea
es. that no difference of political creed {
Wis weaken and no evils of designing pol
w. clans canssever the ties which bind US
he the most sacred and tender memories
he bonds of national brotherhood. one 8
indissoluble,
m, Resolved, That in the heroism and 81
sacrifice displayed by the physicians q