Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-12-06
A Liberal Appropriation Recommended
for the improvement OF the Missis-
sippi River-RepOrt Of the Com
mittee On the Subject.
The Governors Of States Bordering on
the Mississippi Urged to Appoint
Commissioners for the For
nation of a Perma-
nent Board.
The Committee Addressed by Hon. JEFF.
fersOn Davis, who Is Received with
Much Enthusiasm-A Generally
Interesting Meeting.

mercjal convention was called to order by the
president, General Fitzhugh Lee, who stated
that each delegation was entitled to seat on
each committee appointed, and requested
the delegations to select their representatives
and hand in their names to the secretary.
A communication from Z. Martinez, con-
sui at Venezuela, was read and ordered
spread upon the minutes.
Resolutions by B. E. Lenehan, of Iowa:
RESOLVED, That this convention recommend
liberal appropriation for the improvement
of the upper Mississippi and the completion
of the Dubuque bar; and that In our Judg-
meDt the use of dredgeboats for removing
sandbars and deepening the main channel IN
the upper Mississippi Is most beneficial; and
that liberal appropriations be made for this
branch OF service IN the future, that these
vessels may be kept constantly IN commission
for the purpose for which they we're built.
By Mr.. Cane [Texasl That congress, be
memorialized in regard to the silver dollar,
requesting such legislation that it will be in
creased in value and received as a legal
tender. Referred to the committee on COM
merce.
General Eugene Underwood, of Kentucky,
submitted the following report OF the COM
mittee on the improvement of the navigation
of the Mississippi river and its tributaries
and the confinement of its wat rs within its
banks:
WHEREAS. In view of the magnitude of the
interests involved in the improvement OF the
Mississippi river and its naylgable tributaries,
so as to furnish commercial communication
between all their ports and with foreign ma
tions, and to protect inhabitants on its banks
from overflow to the extent of their practical
bic improvement, and the wants OF the popu-
lation upon their borders now and in time to
come; and whereas, the vast interests that
may be thus subserved have not been ad
vanced according to their Just requirements,
nor in any degree comparable to the improve
ment of other cou,n1e rcidl avenues OF no
greater national lmpoI taEce, by the Federal
government, which alone mas jurisdiction
and power TO accomplish the same; there
fore, be it
Resolved, That this convention recommend
to the governors of the respective States bor-
dering upon sad river and lis navigable
tributaries, to appoint ccau missioners to rep
resent their respective States IN a board of
commissioners which shall be permanent,
and be continued SO long as there is necessity
for the same. This board Of commissioners
shall il uire into all matters apperteining to
the Improvement OF navigation OF the Missis-
sippi rlver and IFS tributaries, and Of
the improvems Mt of their banks, so as to
prevent overflow, and of the commerce of the
valley of the Mississippi; and it shall be the
duty of the said commission to disseminate,
from time to time, through the press, or by
addresses to the public, or IN any suitable
vitality interested as to them may seem de-
sirahle, upon the subject of the improvements
herein proposed; and it shall be the further
duty of said commission to gather, colate
and eu1body such information and facts as to
them may seem appropriate, and communi
cate the same to the congress of the United
States, by way of msmorial or otherwise,
for the purpose of inducing that body to
make appropriations fer the improvements
herein proposed.
ResoIged, That it is the paramount duty of
the general government, under its special
direction and supervision, to construct and
MAINTAIN embankments or levees along the
Mississippi river and its tributaries wherever
the same may be needed to prevent crevasses
and the inundation Of the people who have
their homes and fields ENDANGERED.
Resolred, That it is equally the paramount
duty of the general government to make
such appropriations for the Mississippi river
and its tributaries as are required to so
deepen the channels of these rivers as to
afford cheap easy aid uninterrupted trans
portation at low water for the products of
the people living on these rivers to adjoining
States and to foreign countries.
ReSOIred, That the deep channel already
lad at the mouth of the Mississippi river by
means of jetties, saving In the year 1877, the
first year Of their partial completion, more
value in freight to the commerce of the
proyement by the United States government,
justices, in the opinion of this convention, a
call on congress to speedily grant any ad-
ditional legislation that may be required to
facilitate the full and final completion of
these works. Be it further
ReS0ired, That IN order to give force and
effect to the recommendation made In
this resolution, we request the presi-
dent of this convention to appoint
Mr., Underwood, of louisville, Kentucky,
a committee of one to address the governors
of the States bordering on the Mississippi
river and its navigable tributaries, and urge
them to comply with the recommendations
made in said first resolution.
Mr.. jefferson Davis, of Mississippi arose
to address the convention. Prolonged APP
plause. Mr.. Davis said that not only did he
represent the State of Mississippi upon this
important question, but every State border
ing upon that great river. There ere two
important obstacles toward the improvement
of the Mississippi river to be oyercome-the
caviDg in of its banks and overflow of the
same.
The president of the convention here in
terrupted Mr.. Davis, requesting him to speak
louder, as the short hand reporter was una
bic to hear fully what he had said, and
general desire was expressed that his re-
marks be entered upon the minutes.
Mr. Hogan, of Missouri, suggested that
MIR. Davis occupy the platform. Applause
Mr.. Davis then proceeded through the
center aisle and assembled to the platform,
when he was again greeted with loud ap-
plause Mr.. Davis thanked the delegates for
the honor conferred upon him. and resumed
his remarks. Mr.. Davis said the resolutions
accompanying the report were full and COM
plete; that, had he the drafting of them, he
coull not add a word to their effect Or pur-
pose, nor would he take one word therefrom
They were complete in expressing the objects
to be desired for the improvement of the nav
igation of that great river. Railroads might
come and railroads might go, but the Mssis-
slppi river would flow on to the end of time,
and the city of New Orleans ultimately be-
come one of the mightiest emporiums of the
world, city of commerce second to none
among nations.
Inn r. II, S-fx