Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-10-17
THE QUINCY CONVENTION
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSlS-
SIPPI AND IT'S TRIBUTARIES.
Two Reports Submitted and Fully Dis
cussed-Flnal Adoption of tho Majority
Report Favoring the Reservoir System
and Prohibiting the Throwing of Saw
dust, Cinders, Etc Into the River-Tho
Convention Adjourps Sine Die.

QUINCY, ILL, Oct. 16.-At the session OF
the Mississippi river Improvement conven-
ton this afternoon the majority report OF
the committee on resolutions was discussed
These resolutions set forth that the improve
ment of navigation tends to develop the re-
sources, augment wealth and facilitate the
commerce of the whole country, and de-
mands wise and liberal treatment at the
hands of Congress.
That the improvement of the Mississippi
and it's navigable tributaries is of paramount
Importance, because the great bulk of COM
merce and wealth is conferred there.
That while since the foundation of the
country one hundred millions have been ex-
pended on our rivers and harbors, not one
tenth that sum has been spent in the Missis-
sippi valley.
That the extraordinary foreign demand
for our cereals, cotton and provisions in
creases yearly, and that every avenue for
cheaper transit for them should be en-
couraged, thus tending to make us the most
prosperous nation in the world.
The resolutions express qualification at
the action of the last Congress in appoint
ing an engineering commission for survey
of the Mississippi river and tributaries,
which bodies of water are part of one system
united and unbroken.
They favor a reservoir system on the
waters of the upper Mississippi, whereby a
surplus of water may be stored until low
water and then be utilized.
H. ~, IL
of private wharves and throwing of debris,
cinders, etc, (which may form sand bars, into
the Mississippi or its tributaries.
Private spectators should not be allowed
to profit by the improvements made by the
government to the detriment of the public,
and cities should not be allowed to use the
rivers for local mandatory and mechanical
purposes.
A permanent commission of three repre-
sentatives from each State bordering on the
Mississippi river and it's navigable tributa-
ries should be appointed by their Governors
to promote the improvement of said rivers
for commerce SO IS to best benefit the whole
country.
The president of the convention should
select an executive committee of nine to pre-
pare memorial to Congress setting forth
the views of the convention, to call future
conventions, publish statistics and procure
favorable action by Congress.
The minority report reads:
The object and purposes of this conven-
ton being to urge upon Congress- the COM
mercial necessity of improving the Missis
sippi, Missouri and Ohio rivers, so that they
may be navlgable at low stage of water,
and that while this convention recognizes
the paramount i'm oortance of the speedy and
adequate improvement of the main channels
of these rivers, We are of the opinion such
a result should be accomplished on its
merits, which are amply sufficient to COM
mend it to the favorable consideration of all
men, and this convention is opposed to
unnecessary expenditure of large sums in
the improvement of unimportant tributaries
to secure an influence for the improvement
of the three main rivers, great as may be
the necessity for the improvement of the
main channels OF the three rivers named !;
that the necessity should not be met by the
squandering of millions of dollars on minor
and unimportant streams therefore, be it
Resoloed, That we, the representatives of
States, in convention assembled, do hereby
urge upon Congress the Importance of
making liberal appropriations for the i'm
provement of the channels of the three
ri vers named.
After protracted debate the minority re-
port was rejected and that reported by the
majority adopted, and the convention ad-
journed sine die.
Minnesota's Representations.
There are present from Minnesota Senators
Mcmillan and Window. From St. Paul, Gen.
G. G. Andrews, VIM. Rhodes, J. Il. Davidson,
81. Eames, Col. Crooks, 81. E. Castle, Gen. r.
W. johnson; Saltwater, E. w. Durant; Mime
apelis, n B. HARDWOOD, A. D. milford, J. De-
Laittre, W: 8. King, R. Chute, 81. G. o. Nor
rison. 81. Titus, q. G. Sturtevant, @. 81. Burton,
Judge Rea, A. Aukeny, Judge Atwater, r. NJ.
Douglas, 8. G.. Gale.
Capt. VIM. Rhodes and Richard Chute we're
on the committee on permanent organization.
Col. Crooks of St. Paul and VIM. s. King of
Minneapolis were on the committee on resolu.
tious, and j. h. Davidson of St. Paul and G..
G. Sturtevant of Minneapolis on statistics.