American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-11-05

the reasonable supervision of Congress, shall
great and indispensable work. national in
cry sense, should no longer be delayed; and
Resolved, That the scientific and comprc-
hensive system of river improvement by n
compef ent Commission thus inaugurated
should lie applied to the complete and perma-
nent Improvement and maintenance of all the
navigable tributaries OF the great river: and
be it further
Resoirea. That this Convention recognizes
with great satisfaction the benefits already
resulting to the navigation of the Mississippi
River, and its principal tributaries. by the eN-
tension of the lighthouse system thereto, and
expresses the earnest hope that the partial
lighting of those rivers may be speedily en-
larged by increasing the number of districts
Board, in consultation with the River Com
mission, shall find necessary to render such
service completely efficient; and be it fur
Their
Rcsolred That the President of this Conven-
ton be- and he is hereby, authorized and re
committee of twenty-one, who shall be
charged with the duty of preparing, as soon
sfes on se es
represent, in support OF, and in accordsncee
with, the. foregoing resolutions, embodyins
mfttee may deem expedient: that thev cause
to be printed IL sufficient number of copies of
said resolutions and memorial, together with
the proceedings of this Convention, for wide
distribution, and that copy thereof be placed
I'm the handsof each member of the United
rs soon MS practicable; and that said COM
mittee be, and they are hereby, authorized TO
presentation of said resolutions and memo
rial to Congress and procuring the due con-
sidcration.thcreof as they may deem best.
SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT.
Mr.. Kenncr also presented the following as
supplemental report of the Committee on
Resolutions:
MIR. PRESIDENT: Your Committee on Reso-
lutions lave also instructed the undersigned.
the r. iro 1w 20 90 sn9 TO fh g.
Convention, without recommendation, the
following resolution,
Resofred, That in the interest of cheap
transportation,a and to afford a choice of water
routes to the seaboard. we regard conncc-
Upper Mississippi River and the great lakes
as of great Importance; and that Congress. in
igution OF the MississiT pi River and il tri,u-
taries, ought not to overlook & disrt e Ird the
establishments of FREQ water communication
between the valley of the great river of the
West and the waters of the East
Thisresolution was declared elected though
in the confusion that existed there were some
who declared that they did not understand
the vote, and a motion to reconsider was sub
sequently adopted.
Mr.. Geo. +. Shields, of Missouri, then Of
fered an amendment 10 the resolution, strik-
ing out the words "to improve the navigation
of the Mississippi River and its tributaries"
The amendment wa' p 1t to a vote and was
adopted. Then the RESOLUTION as amended
was adopted by a vote of 2I0 to 20.
RESOLUTION REJECTED.
Mr.. Roberts, of Pekin, ILL.,, offered
amendment or addcnda to the committees
report the following:
. Resofred, That it is the sense of this Convcn-
ton that the future policy of the Government
of the United States for the Improvement of
the Mississippi River and its tributaries should
embrace the enlargement and deepening of
the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the i'm
provcment of the Illinois River. SO as to afford
deep water nayii,, ton from Lake Michigan to
the Mississippi River.
The resolution was rejected by decisive
majority.
/. The Secretary produced the following dis
patch from Secretary of State Blaine, which
was read:
WASHINGTON, D. c.. October %, 1SSl.-TO
Michael Ncfsnnis, President: / sincerely re-
greet that eau not visit st. Louis ut this time
and take part in the prococ iin3s of yonr Con
vention. The measure win you assemble to
consider is one of great national import ance,
and is cntitied to prompt and favorable con-
sideration by Congress Official engagements
iinperatiyely detnln me here and deprive mo
OF 1.-THE privilege of enforcing my views by pub
lie address. JAMES G. BLAINE.
Concluding addresses were made by Con-
gressmen Shellenbcrger, OF nnsylvania;
willett, Of Kentucky; Springer. of Illinois, and
other gentlemen, after which the Convention
adjourned.
z Chairman Dunnell announced his de termina-
lion not to appoint ut once the twenty one
members of Il permanent committee provided
for in the resolutions adopted by the Conyen-
ton. He will prepare the list upon his return
home and forward the same to Secretary
Wright.
barge excursion on the river followed,
dinner being served on board, with the usual ac.
compartment of toasts after dinner speeches,
etc., etc. 5--4s.