Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-12
THE MISSISSIPPI.
Meeting of Citizens at Cochran Hall
Last Night. with Reference to
Improving the Mississippi
River Committee Ap-
DOinted-Res0Iu-
lions, Etc.

At a meeting held last evening at Cochran
hall, which was Well-attended by citizens,
Mr.. Calvin +. Vance was elected chairman.
He stated the object of the meeting, viz. !:
''To take action on the resolutions of the
Cincinnati convention for the permanent i'm
river and the reclamation of the lowlands of
the Mississippi" A number of outline maps
were hung on the stage, the maps showing
the watt I. lines and outlets of the river
Captain John CowdoD. on being called
upon, addressed the meeting and explained
the maps to the satisfaction OF the audience.
He was followed by Colonel W. t. Avery
in an eloquent speech, who offered the follow
ing series of resolutions for adoption by the
meeting:
WHEREAS, At a large and IMP osing convention of
the representative liver men or tbs Mississippi val
Of March last to c consider Of and present as
the result of their deliberations the best
Mississippi river and Its tributaries the protection
OF their banks, to prevent overflow the reclamation
commerce, upon the repoIS of a commilt5s, com
pose OF the most able, experienced and practical
adopted the following reSout ons in relation TO these
matters:
ReSo red, That We recommend the edoption Of the
plans PRESENTED by Captain Cowdon, OF the city OF
Memphis, for the T clamatIon OF the oveihoWei
for the Ts at Gus S;ats along the line of the
Mississippi liver, as embTace In senate bill 1872
IN the tuli1 session OF Inc fOTty-ntEl c0FQieSS.
6eSoI0e1, That IN view OF the great importance Of
these Improvements End the necessity of obtaining
the concerted a:on o. the ople of the Mississippi
stand. may seq for themselvc J, we recommend that
be made to New orleans by steamer, and that all
senators and memb1IS Of congress and others
tend and that We reSuest c9nqns ~ ID
George d. RI. John F. Kiser, John A. Scudder, and
said convention I'd making the necessary arrange
ments theIefor.
the Mississippi ley feel pI OfoUnd an interest
in tbeSe g,elE enterprises as Cincinnati or St. Louis,
and imple i az We with the p,ae;iclblllty and
the sure ioiS OF the pla heIe1 proposed for the
accomplishments OF their purpeees, therefore
said Ci1cir1at convention II the Ioptlon aud
rccOmmenda. on OF the plans heIe,u proposed for
the , s. 1t Ever navigation and commercial i'm
RssoTred That we heal.l 81, ond the call made at
Cincinnai for giend convention at 81. Louis, en-
both senat End representatives and others inter-
est in the at jsion OF che Iansport alton,
make en excursion tip to New Orleans in order that
they may Sd and determine for thems elves the
pracIclbllIty and 1vantsoes OF the proposed plan
operation IN every measure with our sister cities in
terestcd alike with rs in the accomplishment of
these MEASURE, Nitl to the commerce Of our
county.
Rssoiget, nat t,lieyirg. as we do that the plans
BILE of any that have preSente to congress and
s C S aheE t 81 Fl s9 S Of 5S other psa
we Therefore unite in L lueSti1g our senator's and
representatives In cOn2fs 8 10 use their best
lions to b-l1g about such legislation as VIII give 1t
a fair 'e upon its merits.
ResOlUcd. That as Captain John Cowdon, for many
yeat5 fellow citizen of our city, has, with wonder
fdl enegJ and enterprise, labO for the public good
IN these great matters OF numerical edva1cement,
We therefore the more highly appre eiat9 this last
Endorsement given his SKILL enels - and genius BY
the recent Cincinnati convention, together with many
others, In the promotion of thoss Interests; and,
Ui6her as his fellow citizens, commend him and his
proposed measures ID the favorable consideration of
all those who have at heaIt the commercial pros
perty, II pot salvation, of the great valley OF the
Mississippi
Judge T. w. Brown seconded the resolu-
tions, Iaud addressed l1imself at length to
the matters under consideration.
Colonel A. Fl. Douglass followed, and
made f1owery aud funny address, which
was heartily applauded. He told several
good anecdotes which created beatty laugh
ter.
Major Minor Meriwether could not express
any opinion as to the best means of accom-
plishing this great work. He believed IN
agitating the matter and SO control congress
in $780, when they can command what they
are now begging for. You must form public
opinion first, and keep on working until con-
gress will be compelled to open up the Mis-
sissippi valley, if not under Captain Cow
don's plan, at least under some other plan.
On motion, the resolutions were adopted
Judge t. w. Brown believed that cor
committee ought to be created, |
and permanent organization established |
He moved the appointment of such COM
mlttee, which motion was adopted
The chairman reserved announcing his ap.
polntments OF committeeman to another time |
On motion the meeting adjourned sine die.