The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-06-24
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.

The Cheap Transportation Convention at
Council Bluffs has been largely attended
and unlike similar meeting in Davenport
the proceedings were very harmonious
The following preamble and resolutions
were adopted: -
WHEREAS, The great valley traversed by
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, and
their tributaries, form one great interest as
distinctly as do the Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, or the basin of the great lakes, and
in such aid as may be given to its commerce
by the national government should be
treated as such, and upon its own magni-
tude and merits, without compromise or
sacrifice with any other: and
WHEREAS, the country specially repre-
sented here, the Mississippi valley, includ-
ing two-thirds of Missouri, one-third of
Iowa and all of Dakota, Nebraska and
Kansas, and part of Montana, embraces
an area of 100000 square miles, contains
a population of four millions of people,
and taxable wealth of more than $780,
100000, produces annually 500, 100000
bushels of grain, and is increasing at rate
in productiveness and wealth of not less
than five per cent. per annum; and
WHEREAS, Water transportation is the
area of country by the Missouri river,
which is naturally oene of the most easily
navigable rivers in the world for nine
months in the year. and was before the
creation of artificial obstruction great
highway of commerce, and which by the
removal of artificial obstruction and acct
dental obstruction can be made available
for economical craft, adequate to the
wants of the country whereby the cost of
transportation will be reduced fully one
half and landed property enhanced in value
fully fifty per cent; and,
WHEREAS, The banks of the river are
composed of such alluvial soil inadequate
to Withstand the force of its current,
whereby thousands of acres of valuable
lands are annually swept away; and,
WHEREAS, 1t has always been the poll
cy of the general government to appropri-
ate money for the improvement of rivers
and harbors and prevent the property of
citizens from destruction by the overflow
and Inclusive action of great streams, hav-
ing thus expended more than sec, 1000, 900,
of which but 1915, 600 in all from the be-
ginning until now have been expended
on Missouri river and Dakota; therefore
Resolved, That this convention, repre-
senting Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Ne
braska most respectfully but most earnest
ly demand that congress bestow upon the
Missouri river consideration commensur-
able with the magnitude of the interests
be served by its improvement and immedi-
ately provide for all artificial distractions
it has permitted to be created by railway
bridges, for the thorough removal of all
accidental distractions such as snags and
drifts of floating timber, and as a thorough
survey Of the river by competent engineers
with view to determining the speediest
and most economical plan of deepening its
channel and protecting the property of
the citizens along its banks.
ReSOlped, That we also demand that when
such surveys shall have been approved,
that congress shall take such other action
as will secure the speediest, permanent and
adequate improvement of said river, not
merely for the removal of distractions to
its navigation, but to provide at all sea-
sons a deep and permanent channel so
confined and controlled as to afford an
outlet for its floods, and to assure the safe
ty of the lands along its course.
ResL0ed, That in view of the magnitude
of the interests to be subserved by such
the additions thereby to
result to the profit of industry, and the
value of landed property in the Missouri
valley, it is the judgment of this conven
ton that devotion to such improvements |
Is the duty of senators and representatives |
IN congress and members of state legisla |
lures, and we recommend to the conven- |
ion and hence any assemblages of the |
people to make this subject one of the |
prime objects in legislation and to agitate |
ior its adoption and accomplishment.
Resotued, That we, the citizens of the
above named states, now in convention as
'embled on the 21st day of June, 1881,
iemand of the congress of the United
states to pass such laws and appropria
ions as shall effect the safe and speedy
of the Missouri river to st.
louis.
Resotoed That it is the opinion of this
that the appropriation by con-
,ress of five million dollars for the purpose
lerein mentioned would be of vast national
,e1efit and the money most judiciously
md proftably invested. /