The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-12-28
THE ST. PAUL CONVENTION.

by the st. Paul Chamber of Com
merce to bring about influences to
secure the Improvement of naviga-
ton on the upper lakes was well at
tended by delegates from most of
the leading points interested, and
the session lasted two days, result
my in the adoption of the following
resolutions
WHEREAS, The rapid settlement and fer
tile character of the vast region of country
north and west of the head of Lake Superior
and its inexhaCstible mineral and timber
esOurces calls for such Improvement of our
northern waterway as will give che largest
slzed vessels free and uninterrupted nayiga-
ton through the great lakes and thus secure
TO the producer the cheapest and most di-
rect route and TO the consumer the products
OF the region at the smallest cost; and
WHEREAS, The greatest obstruction to the
waterway is in the st. Mary's river, between
lake Superior and Lake Huron, the present
condition OF which permits vessels of but
! twelve feet draft TO pass, and although the
government has made large expenditures in
the construction of ship canal for vessels
drawing sixteen feet of water, it cannot be
available for the purposes designed until
such further Improvements are made to the
river below as will give the required depth of
water and thus save the gresent loss Of thirty
per cent, in the carrying capacity of modern
lake vessels and the annually recurring loss
of so much of the public wealth therefore,
flBSO{IST
congress the immediate acceptance by the
United States of St Marys canal in accord
ance with the offer of the State of Michigan
of April 3, 1869, its establishment as a free
canal and the speedy completion of the new
lock and its approaches
heSo!ted, That We ask of congress an ap-
preparation for the further survey of the
channels between Lake Superior and Lake
Huron and SO much for the improvement Cf
the present channel and the ST. Clair fats
and Detroit river as in the opinion of the war
d partment can be judiciously expended the
coming season.
Resoigea, That we further petition congress
for an appropriation to complete the survey
of the harbOr at the head of Lake Superior
and its early Improvement so as to meet the
present increasing demands of commerce.
Resol0ed That it is of the utmost impor.
tance that the necessary harbors on the
northern water way be suitably improved
ResolUed, That committee Of nine be ap-
pointed by the president of this convention
10 draft and present to congress memorial
embodYing the requests of this CONNER c.al
convention and our reasons therefor.
Mr.. a. z. Swinetord o Marquette,
Mich, in behalf Of lis delegation
opposed the resolution asking for
the survey and improvement Of the
harbor at the head of Lake Supe-
rior, on the ground that it was a
matter local to this end of the lake.
but the convention considering that
the call embraced the harbor here,
and that the great agricultural
country beyond this point urgently
demanded it, voted down Mr. S's.
resolution for ths Improvement of
''such harbors on Lake Superior as
may be necessary for the accommo-
dation of It's already large and in
creasing commerce.
4 committee to draft a memorial
to congress was agreed upon as
follows:
Hon. H. N. Rice, St. Paul.
Hon. Geo H. Ely. CIeysland, O.
Hon. E. ". Durant, Saltwater,
Hon. II. 4. Taylor Hudson, Wis.
Hon. c. H. Graves, Duluth.
hon. Rich'd. Chute, Minneapolis.
{. s. Tyler, Fargo, D. 7.
S. F. sherman, Buffalo, " Y.
b. hagaman, 0sweso, \. Y
An invitation was extended to
the boards of trade throughout the
country to cooperate in urging up
on Congress the passage of such
measures as will carry out the OBJ
jects Of the convention.
2 Eloquent remarks were made by
john Davidson and Dr.. Bently of
Bismarck on the trade and resources
of the western country; by Gen. J.
IL. Baker and Hon. Geo. II. Stuntz,
on the mineral resources of the
north shore of Lake Superior, and
by Thos DowSe and others on sub
iects Of general interest.
After hearty aud unanimous
vote Of thanks to the Hon. II. NJ.
Rice and Gov. w. l.. Banning for
their successful efforts in bringing
about the convention and recog-
milton of the Importance of the
northern water route to the ocear,
and q similar vote 10 the Hon. Goo
II. Ely for the able and digni6ed
manner in which he had discharged
the duties of president, the conven-
ton adjourned.
Now it remains for the states in
terested, especially Wisconsin and
Minnesota, through their legisla-
lures to memorialize congress in be-
halt OF the objects of the conven-
ton, and for all who feel an inter