Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1878-1884, 1878-12-23
BY WATER TO The SEABOARD.

By WATER TO THE SEABOARD..
THE CONVENTION OF BUSINESS
MEyAT sT.PAUL.
The Question Of improving the Sault
Ste RI,lrie Canal Discussed at
Length---Com Chosen and
Number Of letters from Promi-
nent Men Read.
THE CONVENTION.
The Commercial convention, called at
st. Paul, met i'll the Opera House at high
noon on Wednesday. There was large
number of delegates present, but not as
many as appeared in the Pioneer Press.
E Gen. H. H. Sibley, tile veteran politician
and soldier, delivered the address of well
come upon the part Of the Chamber of
Commerce. George Fl. Ely, of Cleveland,
Ohio, was elected president, and Chas. Y
Osburer, the spicy editor Of Marquette,
Michigan, secretary: There were twenty
vice presidents chosen, representing towns
and cities from Buffalo, N. Y, to Bis
marck. Bismarck's vice president was
Col VIM. Thompson.
Two committees, one on resolutions, and
one on statistics, consisting of 21 members
each were chosen John Davidson repre-
se1ted the Bismarck delegation on the
committee on statistics, and DR.. Bentley
on the committee on resolutions. They
showed up Bismarck as conspicuous
point upon the commercial map of the
Northwest.
LETTERS.
The afternoon session was taken up with
the reading Of letters from noted individ-
uals. The first one was from Senator
Window 1t was a broad-minded view Of
the transportation interests of the North
west, and was heartily applauded. Let
tiers from Senator Mcmillan, Zach Gland
ler, New York Produce Exchange, W. D..
Washbura, Buffalo Board Of Trade, Gen.
C. G. Andrew, Gen. Writzell, Of Detroit,
and others were read. II. P. Hall, assist
ant secretary, had to come to Mr.. Osborn's
assistance. The letters were too much for
one man. They were full OF information
and seemed to cover the whole Lake in
terest.
Adjournment was taken to the Music
Hall at O'Clock Thurasay IN morning. The
Opera House was toofcold for. another
session. It sustained tsss reputation on,
Wednesday as a theatrical iceberg. Col.
Graves the report on statistics. The in
PRODUCTION was prepared by Vim. L. Ban,
ming, of ST. Paul, the chairman of the
committee, and the statistics OF the trade
of Duluth, the tonnage on the lakes, the
growth Of the west etca were compiled by
Col Graves. It wassa comprehensive
statement and told the eWhole story. Du-
luth as the Lake harbor Of nj innesota and
Dakota, was shown up by indisputable
facts and figures.
WHAT is WANTED.
Hon. H. ri. Rice read the reportso the.
committee on reselutibns. 1T Ehcreased
that the vast region Of country west and
northwest Of the head5of Lake Superior,
called for the improvement Of our north
crn water way, SO asstO give, the largest
vessels free and UNINTERRUPTED navigation
through the great Lakes: that the greatest
obstruction is in the ST. Mary's river be.
tween Lake Superior and Lake Huron,
permitting vessels of but twelve feet draft
to pass. and although the governmentEhas
made large expenditures IN the construc
tion of ship canal for vessels draining
sixteen feet of water, it cannot be used
until such further improvements are made
to the river below as will give the required
depth of water, and thus save the present
loss of 30 per cent, in the carrying capaci-
ty of modern lake vessels.
The resolutions urged upon Congress
the establishment of ST. Mary's river rs Q
free canal, and the speedy completion Of
the new lock aud its approaches, the furth-
er survey of the channels between Lakes
Superior and Huron, and the improvement
of the present channel; an appropriation
for the survey and Improvement Of the
harbor Ouluth) at the head Of Lake su Z
periOr.
The report Was unanim adopted.
DFL1eATE TO wAsHINaToN.
A resolution wxsadopted inviting the
boards Of trade in the ssctions of the coun.
try especially interested il the commerce
OF the great lakes to appoint. = delegate 70
20 to Washington. and urgs the passage of
such measures and ahpropri riations us will
hasten the completioni of.the work
A number Of speeches were made by
way Of rounding upsthe business ofthe
and the .Goulmittee to wrestle
with petition to Congress was appointed
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