Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-23
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Called Meeting Yesterday Captain Cow
don Makes a Tslk-DeIegates to the
Cincinnati Convention OF River.
men-NatiOnaI Quarantine.
Resolutions Offered by Mr.. L. NJ. Hill
Resolutions Presented by Mr.. Je-
rome Hill as to Opening the Big
Hatchie RiVer-COlonel
Avery Talks.

d Called meeting OF the chamber OF COM
merce was held at half-past three o'clock
yesterday AFTERNOON TOR the purpose of select
ing delegates to the convention of river men,
10 be held at Cincinnati on the thirty first
instant. The object of the convention is to
advocate Grange or modification OF the
present steamboat laws of the United States,
to consider the matter as to low-water navi-
CATION In the Ohio aud Mississippi rivers, and
the reclamation of the lowlands of the Mis-
slsslppl valley. AT the hour above stated,
President Benjamin Eiseman called the
met ting to order and stated its objects. The
call issued by the committee at Cincinnati
was read by the secretary. In accordance
With the prayer OF the petition gotten up here
to hold meeting of the chamber of com.
merce and invite Captain John Cow
don to address the meeting, that
well-known citizen and river man
made speech On high and low water and
the reclamation of overlooked lands in the
Mississippi valley. He opposed all plans
known as the CowdoDian plan or system,
which he developed and elaborated upon at
length with the aid of an outline map of the
Mississippi river, which was hanging on the
blackboard. His system is the Eads jetty
system and open outlet plan, as named in
contradistin ctiGn to what is known as the
levee system. Captain Cawdon's discourse
be admitted, in response TO direct question,
that the Eads Jetty system at the passes had
deepened the channel of the Mississippi at
that poiut from eight feet to about twenty
one feet.
DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION.
Mr.. l. NJ. Hill offered the following resolu-
ton, which was adopted:
Resolved. That we recognize the Importance of the
convention called by the chamber OF commerce of
the city OF CncnBa of the river men to meet In that
city on the thirtyfrst of March, 1879 TO further
repeal or modification of the present steamboat
laws, and for the permanent Improvement of the
low-water navigation of the Ohio and Mississippi
the valley of the Mississippi from overflow; and to
carry out the purpose of said convention,
mend our president to appoint delegates 10 said con-
vention.
The chairman appointed the following dele
gates: Messrs. J. c. Nicely, |. Nj. Hill, jerome
Hill, l.. Hauauer, II. Furstenheim, r. w.
Llghthurne, Captain James Lee, n. NJ. Jones,
A. J. Kellar, w. L. Avery, John d. Adams,
Captain Milt Harry and Sam Tate.
A NATIONAL QUARANTINE.
Mr.. l. NJ. Hill offered the following resolu-
ton, which was adopted:
Besol,ett. That this chamber Of commerce appoint
committee of three, 20 report at called meet ng of
this chamber, resolutions to send TO the senators
and representatives of Tennessee in congress. in
relation to the general government establishing a
quarantine for the purpose OF protecting our south
ern country against the yellowfever and all other
imported diseases.
The president appointed OF that committee
Messrs. |. NJ. Hill, w. A. Goodwin and Z
A. Parker.
1t was moved and seconded that other
cities along the Mississippi river be invited
to act with this chamber in furtherauce of
the above resolution" This motion was
adopted
OPENING OUT HATCHIE RIVER.
Mr.. Jerome Hill offered the following,
which was adopted:
WHEREAS. The people of the counties of Harie-
man, Haywood, Fayette, Lauderdale Dyer and a
from communication by water with Memphis, oW-
ing TO the construction of railroad bridge Big
Hatchie River navigable for steamboats, for more
than three hpndred miles. which prevented the
navigation of that important stream by steamboats,
and
WHEREAS, By reason of these Instructions the
peOple accessible to that river have been forced to
ship their freight and produce exclusively by rail-
roads, which have exacted enormous and oppressive
freight tariffs, making them pay in many cases
double The rates required Of them when water COM
municatI0n was opened; and
WHEREAS, The railroad tariffs were so fixed toat
grieVOus discrimination was made against Memphis
We're forced to other points under heavy penalties
which not only worked a great and serious hardship
imposing heavy burden upon the people of these
counties, but unjustly deprived Memphis of trade
TO which she Is legttimately entitled; and
WHEREAS The legislature of Tennessee, at the
present session, In obedience TO the demands of
public justice and Necessity as well as in Differences
ter with Shelby included has declared Big Hatchie
river again navigablS anti required railroad to
build bridge not 10 ObStTuct its naviga-
ton; therefore,
RtSOEUed, That we heartily indorse the action of
the legislature In Teopening Hatche river to navga
ton, and tender our thanks for the same to that
body and particularly the efforts of senators
and representatives who secured the passage OF the
law
ReSOLUed That we congratulate the counties Inter
ested in this matter upon their at last in Sc
curing communication by water with the Mississippi
river, and cities north and south, fIom which they
prospective reduction in freightS that 1t will
sarily accomplish fol them.
Resolved, That we invite the sections bedef I'd By
this act to meet In convention at their ocai
ties TO indOrse these resolutions, and to act In
conjunction with this chamber of commerce in pc
titOing the congress of the United States through
our representatives and senators, to make sutab
appropriation to clear said Hatchie river of any OBJ
StructlonS.
RESOLVED. That copies of these resolutions be sent
to Bolivar Denmark, Whiteville, DancyYllle.
Brownsville. DurhamsilIe and Ripley requesting a
of citizens to take prompt action in the
premises, to the end of asking government aid in
the improvem mt of Hatchie river to have the
same In naUgable order to move the next cotton
crop.
Colonel W. T. Avery made a short speech
indorsing the views expressed, and the plan
advocated by Captain Cowdon, with reference
to the reclamation of the lowlands OF the
Mississippi valley.
On motion the chamber of commerce meet
ing adjourned sine die.