The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-05-25
CANAL CONVENTION.
Organization of the Meeting
this morning.
Prospects of a dispute over
the Memorial.
Full account Of the PRO-
ceedings to-day.
THEY COME.

THEY COME
Yesterday afternoon the early birds
among the delegates to the canal conven
ton put in an appearance and carried on
the worm in the shape of the best apart
ments at the various hotels in this city and
Davenport
The more tardy and less fortunate dele
gate came in during the late hours of las
night and this morning, andfound that the
hotels were full and if accommodated at al
there would be case of doubling" up in
rooms which became necessary in order &c
provide for the numerous guests that
sought shelter at the hotels.
The delegations were all in at late
hour and great deal of conversation and
consultation took place between the vari-
ious representations of river towns. 1t
became evident at an early hour that the
convention was not to be unit on the resolu-
tions stating that the Hennepin canal was a
dire necessity to this glorious country, and
that without its construction. life would be
a burden. and death an object of prayer.
A great many delegates labored under the
impression that the words "Hennepin
Canal" was a general term under which
they could crowd all resolutions pertaining
to the water ways of the western country.
The advocates of the Hennepin Canal
proper say: We have to get the river men
to unite with us, in order to get the appro-
priation through congress. Then said
staunch river improvement man, you
admit that your cause does not stand on
it's merits" eff in q necessity and
practicable scheme" continued the river
advocate s'you would not invite our CO.
operation"
Another river advocate said: why this
is not canal convention, but water
WAYS improvement convention, of course
the canal may enter into it incidentally,
but the river improvement is first and
most important"
The delegates can entertain different
views about the object of the
meeting but the belief is quite
general that the canal men will be out
numbered by the river improvement men,
and that the memorial to congress viii lay
particular stress on the river improvement
and put it very mild on the canal construc
ton This certainly has its comical side,
even if it does mean defeat, for the idea is
very amusing of a meeting being called
for special purpose, to-Eit: the construc-
ton of a canal, and when the meeting is
called to order the specific object is lost
sight of in other matters in a measure OPP
posed to the call of the meeting.
Such things, however, have been known
to occur in assemblies of political char
acter, and therefore they are not without
precedent.
A noteworthy fact connected with the
delegates is the titles which they all wear.
Majors, generals, judges and mayors are as
common among them as flies in sugar
bowl, and the man without some prefix to
his cognomen is out of place. To be a
delegate it is not necessary to be CONVEX
SAINT with the reservoir system of back
water, or the best means of build
ing canal or improving a
a water course, but it is obligatory upon
such representatives that they should have |
achieved title at some time during their
lives, they become proper material for APP |
pointment as a delegate.
THE PRESS
The Importance of the gathering, which |
to-day took place at the opera-house in
Davenport was duly appreciated by the
press, especially of the west. In conse-
quence papers sent their editors and pro-
prietors, while the metropolitan papers
dispatched special reporters to run the con
vention and pace its proceedings before
the public by means of the telegraph.
The Chicago Times sends F. E. Cook
and John Richie.
The Inter Ocean, J. W. Rubbins
Dubuque Times n. Y. Brewer.
Dubuque Herald. NJ NJ. Ham.
Peoria rFeenaan, j. E. Lard.
Peoria Democrat, w. Z. Dowdall.
Cambridge Chief, B. W. Seaton.
S. M. CT ark, Keokuk Gate CITY.
j. NJ. Matters, La Sale Times.
Before the convention assembled eau
Gus, representing the river interests was
held in the parlors of the Kimball House.
Gen Vandevere, Of Dubuque, was elected
president and Mr.. Walker, of Minneapolis,
secretary. The idea of the caucus was
voiced by a speech from Mr.. Clark of the
Keokuk Gate City, in which he advocated
the improvement of the River first and the
Hennepin canal afterward. The Dubuque
delegation presented a resolution which
was adopted:
Res0yred by the delegation that the
Mississippi river is the natural outlet of
our recourses. That while we are not
hostile to the Hennepin canal, nevertheless
we are in favor of improving first
the great natural route that stretches from
St Anthony to New Orleans. Afterwards
Mr. A Ogen of st. Louis, after the man
ner of that delegation which seems to be
non-committal, advocated no further
action until it could be seen what the con-
vention decided to do.
The caucus then adjourned.
ORGANIZATION
The convention was called to order by
Major Allen, of Geneseo, by short speech
The call of the convention was read by Mr.
Ballou Of the Democrat.
Major Allen before introducing Judge
Murphy, of Davenport, as temporary chair
man, made short address, in which he
advocated the Hennepin canal claims, and
advanced all the arguments in favor of
that scheme.
Judge Murphy then made the following
stirring and eloquent address, typical of
the orator who delivered il:
Gentlemen Of the Generation:
The object and purpose of this conven
ton as Stated in the call (which has haen