The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-11-26
RESOLUTIONS.

ResolUed, FIRST That the River Improve
ment Convention, now assembled, represent
ing the States and Territories tributary to
the Mississippi River, having for its object
the consideration of the improvement of the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers, and their nayiga-
bic tributaries, as a measure that tends to
develop the resources, TO augment the wealth,
and to facilitate the commerce of the whole
country, deem II proper AZ the outset to
declare that the usefulness of these rivers to
the industrial, agricultural, and commercial
interest of the country, demands at the hands
of Congress n wise, liberal, and vigorous poll :
cy, in making adequate appropriations for
improving and developing the water ways
between the interior of the continent and the
seabord, for the purpose of cheapening the
cost Of transportation and productions, devel-
oping the +, sources of the country and open
ing up the markets of the world TO attain that
commercial supremacy TO which We are en-
titled among the nations of the earth.
Resolped Second That the improvement of
the Mississippi River and its navigahle trib-
utaries for commercial purposes Is so para
mount to al questions of public policy, now
under consideration by the people of the
United States; that the great bulk of the
commerce of the country emanates from the
Mississi ppi Valley which covers two-thirds of
the area of our country now contains more
than one-half of our population-that since
the formation of our government up to 1876
there have been expended SlO0,31o.S22 for
river and harbor improvements, of which
sum less than one-tenth has been expended
upon the rivers of the Mississippi Valley
therefore be it further
| ResOlged In the light of these facts that it
| is the duty of our National Government to
make appropriations adequate to the needs
and commensurate with the just rights of the
people of the Mississippi Valley, and we de-
mand that Congress shall 90 operate with them
in giving effect to these wisely devised meas
ures which have for their object larger, bet
ter and cheaper facilities for Interstate
transportation and the development of our
domestic commerce.
ResOired Third, That the extraordinary
foreign demand for our hreadstuffs, cereals,
cotton and provisions, increasing each year
in their magnitude, demand that every avenue
for their cheap and rapid transit from the
place of production should be speedily opened
to accommodate a traffic which will, if wise
ly presented, make of the United States of
America the most prosperous country on the
face of the globe.
RcSoIred Fourth That we hail with greatest
pleasure the action of the last session of
Congress resulting in the appointment of an
engineering commission for the improvement
of the Mississippi river sna its tributaries,
as giving assurance that these great waters
are contemplated in the light of one united
and un broken system of waterways and they
are to be improved as such; and that in asking
appropriations for the Improvement of the
Mississippi river and tributaries, we have no
prescribed plans, but leave this subject
entirely to the judgment and experience of
the able corps of engineers of the United
States Army who have the work of improve
meat in charge.
Reselred FIFTH That we favor the establish
ment of q reservoir 81 stem on the waters of
the Upper Mississippi river, Ehereeya sur
plus of water may be stored until the low
water seasons, thus utilizing itiwhen needed
for navigation.
Rcsolred Siztk. That general act of Congress
should be passed forbidding the construction
of private wharYes, the throwing or placing
of debris, chips, Stops, sawdust, ashes, cinders
or any other matters which form or aid in
forming sand bars, or other distinctions, into
the Mississippi river, or say Of the aaYigabie
tributaries.
Resolred Seventh, That Ii is contrary to
public policy for the general government to
construct public improvements at immense
expense, and to suffer the same to be utilized
by private spectators TO the detriment of
public uses and that this Convention hereby
expresses its opposition 10 the practice of
allowing cities to use water pOEer created by
the Improvement of rivers fer local manufac-
turing and mechanical purposes.
Resot1ed Efghth That q permanent commits
sion of three representatives from each State
bordering upon the Mississippi River and its
naYigable tributaries, appointed by their Gov
ernors, to pr0Fhete the Improvement of said
rivers for commercial purposes, would con-
duce TO the best interests of the whole country,
and that Governors of any of said States who
have rot made such appointments are earnest
ly requested by this Convention TO do 50.
Resolved NIath That the President of the
/ t,orvan..;;~- salect an executive committee of
nine together with the President of TINS con-
Yentionl whose duty il shall be to prepare .
memorial to Congress, setting forth more in
detail the views of this Convention upon the
subject of the improvement of the channel of
the Mississippi River and its tributaries, TO
call future conventions If they deem il expedi-
ent 10 do so; to collect and publish statistics
bearing on the subject; for the information OF
the people and of the Government, and to use
all further means 10 procure early and faYera-
bic action upon this subject to Congress.
s. r. Covingi0n, Ohio.
James W. Dave, 7. ]. Pickett, Nebraska.
Eugene underwood, Kentucky.
J. E. Lemcke, III. ]. Rnamer Indiana.
I VIM Crooks. VIM s. King, Minnesota
Robt. w. Leigh, Arkansas.
n f. Worthington. nj. L johnson, Illinois
L c. Stanley, Charles Seymour. Wisconsin.
j. L Stephens, John n Bofnger, Missouri
c. B. Hooker. G. x. Marshall, Mississippi.