American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-10-25
Proceedings of the River Improvement
Convention.

Quincy, ILL.,, Oct. 16.-The Missis-
sippi River Improvement Convention, which
assembled here yesterday, was well attended
by representative men from the various
States of the Mississippi Valley, the bulk of
the delegates, however, being from Mime
sofa, Iowa and Missouri. Mr.. o. ii. Brown
ing made an address of welcome on behalf
of the citizens of Quincy, after which Gov.
Cullom of Illinois made a brief address
stating the objects of the Convention.
Hon. +. .. Stannard of Missouri was
chosen President, and upon taking the chair
said, among other things, that this Conven-
ton had come together to ask the Congress
of the United States to make a sufficient ap-
preparation out of the National Treasury to
narrow the channel of the river where it was
wide and shallow, or in some way make it
so that the waters of the Mississippi
and its tributaries could be utilized for
was warmly applauded. He claimed that
the Eads jettes have proved success, and
that all difficulty at the mouth had thereby
been overcome. Brief addresses were also
g Ilaae Ps senator lna qs anu S s
vention description of his plans, illustrated
by diagrams, for the Improvement of the
river navigation generally and the removal
of sand-bars in particular. Mr.. Platt b.
Walker, of Minnesota, followed with an eX-
position of his reservoir system of supplying
water sufficient to float steamers at low
stages of the Mississippi. Ill
The Committee on Resolutions presented
two reports. The majority report sets forth
the fact that
The Improvement of navigation tends to de-
yelop the resources, augment the wealth and
facilitate the commerce of the whole country,
and demands wise and liberal treatment mt
the hands of Congress; that the Improvement
of the Mississippi and its navigable tributaries
is of paramount Importance, because the
great bulk of commerce and wealth is cen
tered there that WHILE since the foundation
of the country, 500 100000 has been expended
on rivers and harbors not one tenth of that
Valley; that the extraordinary foreign
demand for our cereals, cotton and
every ever '' avenue for cheaper transit for them
should be encouraged, thus tending to make
The resolutions express qualification at the
action of the last Congress in appointing an
Mississippi River and tributaries, which bodies
of wtee are OF @ne system united and
the waters of the Upper Mississippi, whereby
II surplus of water may be stored until low
water, and then be utilized. Congress should
prohibit the construction of private wllarves
and the throwing, of debris, cinders, etc, which
may form sand bars, into the Mississippi or
its tributaries. Private Spectators should
made by the Government to the detriment of
the public, ana cities should not pc allowed 70
of rivers for local manufacturing and me-
chanical purposes. a permanent commission
of three representatives from each state Dor
dering on the Mississippi River and its navi
gable tributaries should be appointed by their
said rivers for commerce, as to best benent
the whole country. The President should
Iect an Executive Committee of nine to pre-
pare n memorial to Congress, setting forth the
views of the Convention, to call future Con-
and procure favorable action by Con
gress.
The minority report was then presented
on behalf of the Iowa delegation. They de-
from the sweeping demand made by
the majority for big appropriation for the
of every little tributary Of the
Father of Waters, and planted themselves
sguarely on the broad ground, without preju-
dice or partisanship, that the main channels
Of the Mississippi, the Ohio and the
Missouri should be improved, to meet
the wants of commerce, and no
claims for smaller streams should be permit
led to hamper this demand. The discussion
that followed was quite spirited, but the
Iowa delegates stood alone in opposition to
he majority report, and the latter was adopt
ed without change.
The delegates to the Convention were hos
3itably entertained by the citizens of Quincy
Turing their stay, and this evening grand
banquet was given, followed by ball.