Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-06
THE DADDY OF WATERS.


The New Orleans Commercial Convention
Adopt a Report in Favor of the I'M
provement of the Mississippl-Its Impor-
lance to Commerce Trged-The Danger
OF foundations to be Guarded Against
Speech by Jefferson Davis.
New ORLEANS Dec. 5.-The commercial coz
vention was called to order by President Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee, VINO stated that each delegation
was entitled to seat on each committee ap-
pointed, and requested the delegations to select
their representatives and hand in their names
to the secretary. A communication from E.
Martinez, consul at Venezuela, was read and
ordered spread upon the minutes.
BY B. E. Lenehan OF Iowa:
LteSolred, That this convention recommends
liberal appropriation for the i'm provement of
the upper Mississippi and the completion of
the Dubuque bar, and that in our judgment
the use of dredge boats for the removal Of sand
bars and deepening the main channel in the
upper Mississippi is most beneficial. and that
liberal appropriations be made for this branch
OF the service in the future, that these vessels
may be kept constantly IN commission for the
purpose for which they were built.
BY Mr. Cane, of Tezas--That Congress be
Il,
requesting such legislation that it will be in
creased to its full value and received as a legal
tender. Referred to the committee on COM
merce.
Gen. Eugene Underwood, Of Kentucky, sub
mltted the following report of the committee
on the Improvement of the navigation of the
Mississippi river which received read and
adopted:
The committee appointed on the improve
nent of the navigation of the Mississippi river
and its tributaries, and the confinement of its
waters within its banks, respectfully submit
the following report:
WHEREAS In view Of the magnitude of the
interest involved in the improvement of the
mississippi river and it's navigable tributaries,
80 as to furnish commercial communication be-
tween all the ports and with foreign nations
and to protect the inhabitants on lis banks
from overflow to the extent Of their practicable
Improvements and the wants of the population
upon their borders, now and III time TO come;
and
WHEREAS The vast interests that may be
thus subserved, have not been advanced
cording to their just requirement, nor in any
degree com parable to the i'm provement of other
commercial avenues of no greater national i'm
portance by the federal government, which
alone has jurisdiction and power to accom- plish
the same; therefore be it
EesolUe0. First, that this convention recon-
mend to the Governors of the respective States
bordering upon said river and its navigable
tributaries, to appoint commissioners 10 rep
resent the respective States IN board of COM
missoners, which shall be permanent and con-
tlnue so long as there is necessity for the same.
This board OF commissioners shall inquire into
all matters appertalnlng to the improvement
of the navigation of the Mississippi river aud
It's tributaries, and of he I'm provement Of their
banks to prevent oyerilows, and OF the commerce
of the valley of the Mississippi and it shall be
he HI,tu If n -,ta
from time to time, through the press, by adj
dress TO the people or IN any suitable mode,
such intelligence among the people vitality in
terested as to them may seem desirable upon
the subject of Improvements herein proposed;
and it shall be The further duty of said COM
mission To gather coiiate and embody such in
formation and facts as to them may seem APP
propriate, and communicate the to Con-
gress by way of memorial otherwise for the
purpose of inducing that body to make appro
prlatlons for the improvements herein pro-
posed.
second-That it is the paramount duty of
the general government under its special
direction and supervision to construct aud
maintain entertainments or leVees along the
Mississippi river and its tributaries wherever
the same may be needed to prevent crevasses
and inundation of the people who have their
homes and fields endangered.
Third-That it il equally the paramount
duty Of the general government to make such
appropriation for the Mississippi river and it's
tributaries ss are required to deepen the
channels of these rivers to afford cheap,
easy and uninterrupted transportation at low
water for the products of the people living on
these rivers to adjoining States and to foreign
countries.
Fourth-That the deep channel already had
at the mouth Of the Mississippi river by means
of the jetties saved in the year 1877, the first
year of their partial completion, more value in
freight to the commerce of the country than
the sum paid IS yet for improvement by the
United States government, and iustifies, in
opinion of the convention, call on Congress
to speedily grant any additional legislation
that may be required to facilitate the full and
final completion of these works.
BE ii Ju1ther aeSolre0 That in order to give
force and effect to the recommendations made
this convention to appoint Mr.. Underwood, of
Louisville Ky, committee OF one to address
the governors of the States bordering on the
Mississippi river and its navi gable tributaries,
and urge chem to comply with the recommen-
dations made in said first resolution.
Mr.. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi arose to
address the convention. prolonged applause.)
AIR. Davis said not only did he represent the
State of Mississippi upon this i'm portant ques
ton, but every State bordering upon that great
river. There are two i'm portant bjccts toward
the improvement of the Mississippi river to be
overcome: caving IN of its banks, and overflow
of the same
The president OF the convention here inter-
rupted Mr.. Davis, requesting him to speak
louder, as the shorthand reporter was unable
to hear fully what he had said and a gen
eral desire was expressed that his remarks be
entered upon the minutes
Mr.. Hogan, of Missouri, suggested that hir.
Davis occupy the platform. (Applause.)
Mr. Davis then proceeded through the center
aisle, and assembled to the platform, when be
again greeted with loud applause.
Mr.. Davis thanked the delegates for the honor
conferred upon him, and resumed his remarks.
He said the resolutions acc mpanying the re-
port were so full and complete that had he the
drafting he could not add word to their effect
or purpose nor would he take one word there
from. They were com plete in expressing the
objects to be desired for the Improvement of
the navigation of that great river. Railroads
might come and railroads might go, but the
Mississippi river would flow on to the end of
time, and the city Of New Orleans ultimately
become one of the mightiest emporiums of the
world city OF commerce second to none
among nations.
Willow Fielders.
CLEVELAND, o., Dec. 5.-The National League
of professional base ball players, which has
been in session the past two days, adjourned