Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-06-21
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Location Of the High School Object
ing to the Destruction Of Adams School
A Proposed Barge Line-Numbering the
Streets
At the meeting of the chamber of commerce
yesterday, Mr.. McCqung presented written GER
tifcates from A. F. Knight, architect, and
Mat. Breen, builder, that the Adams school
building is in good condition. The latter de-
clared it better than any school building
erected in st. Paul during five years past.
A letter was read from Mr.. Ingersoll pro-
testing against the destruction Of the Adams
school and favoring the location Of the High
school upon Wabashaw hill.
A debate ensued, in which G. D. Strong,
Capt Berkey, VIM. Lee and Capt Starkey op-
posed the destruction Of the Adams school
and Ansel Oppenheim favored 1t. The result
Averlll, Peter Berkey, F. Willius and @. b.
Bigelow were added to the committee, and the
committee instructed to protest against the
removal of the building If they found on inves-
tigation the change proposed was inexpedient
On motion of Capt. Starkey the board of
education was requested to see if they cannot
use material from the st. Paul terra Gotta
works in the new High school building.
Mr.. Lee called up the report on numbering
the streets, and 1t was adopted. 1t provides
for making 10O numbers 70 the block, on the
Philadelphia plan.
James Smith, Jr., moved that Judge
Underwood be invited to present some
views on river matters, and in response
the Judge suggested the importance Of a
barge line from this point direct to New
Orleans. He said the agitation of the
question of river improvements had al
ready produced great results-but that
we were only upon the threshold Of the
great improvements we now confidently
looked for. We have placed the great
river in the hands of an able commission
of engineers.
To it we hopefully looked for the plan
by which the waters should be perma-
nently navigable for the largest class
steamers and barges from the head of
navigation to the mouth of the river, and
thus to avoid re-shipment in transit
to the gulf.
When the commission have matured
its plans there should be no delay
by Congress in furnishing tbs
means necessary. There will be no delay
if the sentiment of the people throughout
this valley, now largely the majority of
the whole population of the United States,
is obeyed. To manifest still further and
more potentially that sentiment, we are
now calling for a convention of delegates
representing every district throughout
the valley. The object of said conven-
ton will be confined not to
the improvement of the main
river alone, but to all its navigable tribu-
taries. Looking, however, at present
only to the improvement of the main
river from this point to the gulf, so as to
float the grain and other products Of the
vast region tributary to this point, at the
cheapest possible rate, through this chan
mel to the markets of the
world, it behooves US to con-
slider the consequences arising therefrom.
If it be found that the grain and products
of this region will be carried to market
either in whole or in part, by means Of
barges. the question arises, will the barg-
es be returned empty OF loaded? They
may not return so heavily loaded as up
on their downward trip, but no sane mind
will doubt that they will return to a
greater or less extent with cargoes of
great value. Is it not absolutely certain
that, among other articles, bailed cotton
will be onef
Another article of great necessity here,
and which we may expect upon the return
trip of these barges, is coal. We are now
importing brick both by rail and river
from St. Louis. Certainly the cotton and
coal will come upon the proposed improv-
ed system if we can now afford to import
BRICK. What is the meaning of cheap
cotton and cheap coal here? 1t means
manufactures, whether run by water pow
er or steam. 1t means a multiplication
Of our population to great ex-
tent from this source. 1t means q large
increase of our commerce in handling
the fabrics of the cotton mills. 1t
means supply of cotton fabrics and
other manufactured fabrics, to the peo.
pie at work in our grain fields and for
ests, at cheaper rates than they can be
had elsewhere.
It means that with one hand we shall
give to the South the breadstuffs of
the North, and with the other we shall
give to the North the clothing manufac-
tured from the cotton of the South Shall
such opportunities be neglected! The
characteristic energy and ability of this
people will not long neglect them. The
judge said. his object was to invite the
organization of through transportation
line from st. Paul to New Orleans, and
to call the attention of capitalists and
others interested to the consideration of
the subject.
On motion of Capt. Blakeley the president
ndsecretary were requested to correspond
with the officers of the St. Louis Merchants
exchange relative to the time for holding
river convention. Adjourned.
All. AROTTND THE CTORr