The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-11-05

we'll considered and eiFectual step toward the
mplete and permanent opening OF the Mis-
sissppi Valley 70 tho markets of the world;
but would also strongly express its regret at
the refusal OF tine last Congress, alter creating
deiibcrate and emphatic approval OF their
plans ~ the House Committee on Improve.
mcnt "A the Mississippi, to appropriate TING
amount estimated ana recommended y said
Commission Tor doing the work by them
carefully laid out and proposed; ana bel iur-
thCr
Judgment OF this Conveution-dclcgat to
represent the interests in that bella I, o. more
than one half the states and Ie' ritores o.
the Union, inhabited by more than ono halt
of its entire population, from whom is col
lccted above ~ per cent. OF the entire internal
revenue of the nation, whose Internal com
merce is already one half tugt of the whole
l'nitcd States, more than twelve times great
err than the total fOri N commerce #
the nation, and lar{er than the total
upon wi. Sc Industry is this year
levied, by the obstacles to the safe and easy
navigation of the Mississippi River and its
navigablc tributaries, a n cdlcSs direct tax,
by way of increased frcights and Insurance,
demurrago, wrecks and repairs, of not less
than SlGuOO,OO0-it is the imperative duty of
Congress and the right of the people for whom
this Convention i authorized to speak, that
the legislation thus wisely begun be made Ell
fectual and permanent by charging the pow
.erS of the River Commission to include the
active pro CCutlOn of the works already re-
commended by them; and by the regularand
such sums as sad Commission, acting under
the reasonable supervision of Congress, shall
report as necessary TO that end, 20 thai this
great and indispensable work, national in ev-
cry sens ., should no longer be delayed; and
he it further
Resoired, That the scientific and compre-
hcnsiNC system of river Improvement by
compe ent Commission thus inaugurated
should he applied to the complete and perma-
nent improvement and maintenance of all the
nayigable tributaries of the great river; and
be il further
ResoIred, 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
and lights to such extent as the Lighthouse
Board, in consultation with the River Com
mission, shall find necessary to render such
service completely eflicienti and be it fur
Their
ton be- and he is hereby, authorized and re-
queSted to appoint at his earliest convenience
a committee of twenty one, who shall be
charged with the duty of preparing, soon
as practicable after the Convention auiourns.
a memorial to the Congress of the United
States on behalf of the delegates composing
the Convention and the people whom they
represent, in support of, and in accordance
with, the foregoing resolutions, embOdying
such statistics and information as said COM
mittcC may deem eNpedicnt; that they cause
to be printed sufficient number of copies of
said resolutions and memorial, together With
the proceedings of this Convention, for wide
distribution, and that a copy thereof be placed
in the hands of each member of the United
States Senate and House of Representatives
as soon as practicable; and that said com
mittCe be, and they are hereby, authorized to
take such further action touching the proper
presentation of said resolutions and memo
rial to Congress and procuring the due con-
sideration thereof as they may deem best.
A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT.
.4..IA A. 81
a supplemental report of the Committee on
Resolutions:
MIR. PRESIDENT: Your Committee on Reso-
buttons have also instructed the undersigned,
its Chairman, at the request o. the member OF
the committee from Iowa, to submit to the
Convention, without recommendation, the
following resolution,
ReSolred, That in the interest of cheap
transportat!on,a and to AFFORD choice OF water
routes to the seaboard we regard conncc-
ton between the nayigahle waters OF the
Upper Mississippi River and the great lakes
as of great importance; and that Congress, in
making oDpropliation5. TO improve the nav.
igatiOn OF the Mississi ri RiN ell. and lis trfNu-
taries, ought not TO overlook or dlSr' gard the
establishment of free water communication
between the valley of the great river OF the
est and tue waters of the East
This resolution was declaredrejected, though
in the confusion thatedsted there were some
who declared that they did not understand
the vote, and a motion to reconsider was sub
sequently adopted. ..
Mr.. Geo. f. Shields, of Missouri, then Of
fered an amendment TO the resolution, strill-
ing out the words "to improve the navigation
of the Mississippi River and its tributaries
The amendment wa, put to a vote and was
adopted. Then the resolution as amended
was adopted by vote of 2lO to 20.
RESOLUTION REJECTED.
Mr.. Roberts, of Pekin, ILL.,, offered an
amendment or addenda to the committees
report the following:
Resolred, That it is the sense of this Conven.
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.
provement of the Illinois River, so a TO afford
deep water navigation from Lake Michigan &c
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. G., October ~, lSsl.-TC
Michael McEnnis President: | sincerely re-
gret that can not visit 81. LOuiS mt this time
and take part in the proceedings of your Con-
Vention. The measure wien you assemble &c
consider is one of great national importance
and is entitled to prompt AMI favorable con-
sidcTatOn by Congress. Official engagements
| imperatively detutn me here and deprive me
| of the privilege of enforcing my views by pub
! lie address. JAMES q. BLAINE.
Concluding addresses were made by Con
gressmen Shellenberger, of Pennsylvania
/ Willett of Kentucky; Springer, of Illinois,anc
/ other gentlemen, after which the Convention
adjourned.
| Chairman Dunnell announced his determine
! ton not to appoint at once the twenty ont
members of permanent committee provided
! for in the resolutions adopted by the Conven
ton. He will prepare the list upon his return
home and forward the same to Secretar!
| Wright.
| barge excursion on the river followed
| dinner being served on board, with the usual nc
compartment of toasts, after dinner speeches
etc, etc.