Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-20
WESTERN RIVERS.
Lsssr-sf the Coavsntion Asssmblea %
ste Revise WAys and Means for their

Quincy, Oct. 16.-The committee on re.
solutions submitted the following report:
The committee on resolutions appointed
by the river improvement convention in
Quincy, IL. October 10 and l6. 1879, after
. full interchange of sentiments and views
10 regard to the navigation lntsrests of the
MississipH and its tributaries. and elicit.
ing such information ~ could be derived
from an interview with the United States
engineers who have been and are engaged
IN carrying out the success and executing
the purposes of the general government for
the improvement Of navigation on these
great natural highways Of national COM
merce, would respectfully submit for the
confederation Of the convention the follow
Ing resolutions:
Z heso!red, Thst the river Improvement
convention assembled, representing the
states and territories tributary to the Mis-.
sissippi river, having for it's object the
consideration and encouragement of the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers and their
nav!Eable tributaries 20 measure that
tends to develop the resources, to augment
the wealth, and to facilitate the commerce
OF the whole country, deem it proper at the
outset to declare that the usefulnes, Of
these rivers to the industrial. agricultural
and commercial interest of the country de-
mands at the hands of congress a wise.
liberal and vigorous policy in MAKING
adequate appropriations for improving and
developing the water ways between the
interior Of the continent and the seaboard
for the purpose of ctfeapeninR the cost of
transportation and productions. deyelonino
the resources of the country and openine
up the markets of the world, TO show that
commercial supremacy to which We are
entitled among the nations of the earth.
That the improvement Of the Mississipp,
river and its navigable tributaries for COM
mercial purposes is paramount TO all oues-
tions OF public policy now under consider
alton by the people of the United States:
that the great bulk of the commerce of the
country emanates from the Mississippi VAL
ley, which covers two-thirds of the area of
our country, aud contains more than one
halt OF our population; that since The
t"rma!ion OF our govcrumeu, up to 1876
taere have been expended $lO0,37S 1922 for
river a1d haIbor improvements, OF which
sum less than onc-tenth has been expended
upon the rivers or the Mississippi valley {;
therefore
Be It fulthcr resolved, in the light CT
these facts. that IL is The duty ri our natior-
III government to nuke appropriations adc.
quatc to the needs aud Commensurate with
tue just rights ot the people OF the Missis.
sippl valley, and VIC demand that congress
shall cooperate with them in giving effect
10 these wisely devised measures, which
have Tor their object larger, better and
cheaper facilities for interstate TRANSPORTS.
too snd development of our domestic
commerce.
3. That the extraordinary foreign de-
mands for our breadstuGs, cereals, cotton
and provisions, increasing each year III their
magnitude. demand that every avenue for
their cheap aud rapid transit: from the place
Of production should be speedily opened 10
traffic which Wilt wisely expend-
ed make the United States of America the
most prosperous country on the face OF the
globe.
4 That we hail with the greatest pleas
ure the action OF the last session Of con-
gress resulting 10 the appointment of On
commission for tho improve
ment of the Mississippi river and its tribu.
,aries as giving assurance that these great
waters are contemp plated In the light Of one
united and unbroken system of water ways,
they are to be improved as such, tha: in
asking an appropriation for the inpro ve-
ment of the Mississippi river and its trib-
utaries wo have no prescribed plans, but
We leave this subject entirely to the Judge.
ment AID experinece Of the able corps of
engineers of the United States army who
have the work Of improvement IN charge.
5. That we favor The establishment of
the reservoir system on the waters of upper
Mississippi river. whereby surplus of
water may be stored until low water sea-
sons, thus utilizing it when needed for nayi-
cation.
6. That q general act of congress should
be passed forbidding the construction of
private warves, the throwing or placing of
debris, chips, slops, saw dust, cinders or
any other matters which form or aid in
forming sand bars or other distractions to-
to the Mississippi river or any of the nav
igable tributaries of the same.
Z. That tits contrary to public policy for
the general government to construct public
improvements at immense expense and
suffer the same to be utilized by private
specuators TO the detriment Of public use,
and that this convention hereby
expresses its opposition TO the practice
of cities to use water pow
or created BY the improvement of rivers for
local mhuuldClOty anu ueCuuulCul puA.
poses.
8. That permanent commisaion of three
representatives from each state bordering
upon the Mississippi river and its nagiable
tributaries, appointed by their governors,
to promote the improvement Of said rivers
for commercial purposes, would conduce to
the beat interest of the whole country, and
that the governors Of any Of said states who
have NOT made such appointments are earn.
estly requested by this convention to do 30.
9. That the president Of this convention
select an executive COMMITTEE
Of nine, together with the presi.
dent Of this convention, whose duty
Il shall 5e to prepare memorial to congress,
setting forth more in detail the views Of
This onven,ion upon the subject Of the i'm.
movement Of the channel Of the Mississippi
river and it's tributaries to call future con.
ven,ions, il they deem it expedient TO do 90;
to collect aud publish statistics bearing on
The .ubiect for The information Of the people
q, Tho government, and 10 use all further
mesns 10 procure early and favorable action
upoo this subject to congress. (sisned')
ST, Coving,on Of Ohio.
james W. Dawes and I. J. Picket OF
Nebraska.