Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-12-11
The New Orleans Commercial COnven-
ton.

A New Orleans dispatch of Deem
Der End says: The CONNER
cial convention assembled at Varieties
Theatre, and was called to order by
Gen. Cyrus Bussey, chairman of the
executive committee. After prayer by
Rev. Dr. Palmer, Gov. Nichols delivered
an address of welcome, and was fire.
quently applauded. Mr.. Murray, of
Kentucky, replied to Gov. Nichols in a
beautiful and sincere speech. He
spoke of the necessity for laying aside
political considerations and joining to-
gether as members of one grand ma
tional family for the furtherance of
their gereral interests.
Gen. Bussey, as chairman of the
committee of arrangements, then adj
dressed the convention on the naviga-
ton of the Mississippi river, showing
that the stream is natural, aud the only
means of transportation of advantage
to the country. He drew attention to
the fact that our government was blind
to its own interests by allowing a great,
natural, and advantageous thoroughfare
to be unused. He also favored the
Texas and Pacific railroad.
Edward d. Holton, of Milwaukee,
temporary chairman, also addressed
the convention.
A committee of one from each state
was appointed on credentials. After a
recess the convention permanently Or
gained by the election of Fitzhugh
Lee, of Virginia, president, H G. Hes
ter, Of New Orleans, secretary, and a
vice-president from each state repre-
scented.
Committees were appointed on the
Pacific road improvements, of the
Mississippi river, and on foreign trade,
after which the convention adjourned
until the following day.
The second day the convention
adopted resolutions strongly endorsing
the Texas Pacific railway. Seventeen
states were represented and there were
but three dissenting votes.
On the third day of the session the
following resolutions were discussed
and adopted:
WHEREAS, In view of the magnitude
Of the interest involved in the improve
ment Of the Mississippi River and its
navlgable tributaries, SO as to furnish
commercial communication between
all their ports and with foreign nations,
and to protect the inhabitants on its
banks from overflow, to an extent of
their practicable improvements and the
wants of the population upon their
borders, now and in time to come; and,
WHEREAS, The vast interests that
may be thus subserved have not been
advanced according to their Just re-
quirements, nor in any degree compar-
able to the improvement of other COM
mercial avenues of no greater national
Importance, by the federal government.
which alone has jurisdiction and power
to accomplish the same; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, First, that this convention
recommend to the governors Of the
respective states bordering upon said
river and its navigable tributaries, to
appoint commissioners to represent
their respective states in a board of
commissioners, which shall be perma-
nent and continued so long as there is
necessity for the same. This boad Of
commissioners shall inquire into all
matters appertaining to the improve
Ne ent Of the navigation Of the Mississippi
pi River and its tributaries, and Of the
improvem 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 said commissioners
to disseminate, from time to time:
through the press, by address to
the public, or in any suitable
mode, such intelligence as to them may
seem desirable upon subjects Of the
improvements herein proposed; and it
shall be the further duty OF said COM
mission to gather, collect and embody
such information and facts as to them
may seem appropriate, and communi-
cate the same to congress by way of
N emorial Or otherwise, for the purpose
of inducing that body to make appro-
priations for the improvements herein
proposed. Second, that it is the para
mount duty of the government, under
it's special direction and supervision, to
construct and maintain embankments
and levees along the Mississippi river
and its tributaries, wherever the same
may be needed to prevent crevasses and
inundatiOn upon people who have
their homes and fields endangered.