Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-12
THE FATHER OF WATERS.
THE MISSISSIPPI IMPROVEMENT
PROBLEM,

Important Gathering at St. LOuis-The
Claims of the Great ValIey-An Ag-
gressive Policy Urged-A Representa-
tive Convention to be Called not Later
than November.
New ORLEANS, July IA Baton
Rouge special says that in accordance
with the resolution of the State Levee
Convention, Gov. McEnery has appointed
ten delegates to the Interstate Leyee Con-
yention to be held at Vicksburg on the
1st day of October. The Governor states
that the object of the convention is to
agree ON plan to be presented to the next
Congress and bring about harmonious ac-
tion between the several States in secur-
ing aid from the government for the i'm
improvement of the Mississippi valley
and its protection from disastrous over
flows and the hazardous navigation of
the Mississippi river and its tribu-
taries. In accordance with fur
ther resolution of said LeVee Con-
vention, the Governor has appointed
standing committee of two from each
Congressional district and from the State
at large, whose duty it shall be to visit
all State or Interstate Conventions called
for the improvement of the Mississippi
river and the construction of levees, to
visit Congress and assist Senators and
Representatives in securing necessary
legislation upon this matter.
ST. LOUIS, July ia conference call
ed together through the efforts of the
Merchants Exchange, of this city. to
consider the most practical course to pur-
sue in advocating the improvement of the
Mississippi river, met this morning, at the
Southern Hotel. The conference is COM
posed of one delegate appointed by repre-
sentatives of commercial interests in
every important city in the Valley States,
some of them, especially New Orleans,
sending strong delegations. Besides the
delegates there were present Governor
Charles Foster, of Ohio; United States
Senator Miller, of New York; ex-SDeaker
keifer and eX-COngressman Townsend,
OF ONO, who are here, however, on another
mission.
The conference was called to order by
j. E. Waldo, President of the Merchants
Exchange of st. Louis, who, after a brief
address OF welcome, said that the time
had come for action in the campaign for
the improvement of the Mississippi river.
The cause was not local one, but nation
al, and needs only to be set properly be-
fore the people of the country to gain their
appreciation, and through them to force
that recognition by our National LegIsla-
ture due it and so long denied it.
George l.. Wright, Secretary of the st.
Louis Merchants Exchange Improve
ment Committee, read an elaborate argu-
ment in favor of the improvement of the
Mississippi river. He referred IN some
what sarcastic tones to the readiness
with which Eastern Congressman secure
appropriations for all streams in their
sections, and cOntrasted it with the
herculean labor necessary to induce
t1OnOrpES l,O
river. He saw an assemblage before him
that was evidence that the people of the
Mississippi Valley were determined to
push their needs upon the notice of Con-
gress. He advocated that the work be
begun to-day and kept up unremittingly
until certain results were achieved.
The conference then effected perma-
nent organization by electing B. d. Wood,
of the New Orleans Cotton Exchange,
permanent Chairman, Geo. L. Wright per-
manent Secretary, and the following Vice
Presidents: w. S. Phelps, of Winona,
Mimi; II. G. McPIke, Alton, Ills; c.. w.
Clark, Hannibal, Mo-; S. w. Crawford.
Dubuque, la. "A. II. w Voolfolk, of Kentucky:
j. L. Brown, of Mississippi; John &.
Adams, Of Little Rock, Ark; r. G. Gray,
of Pittsburg; Ben EgglestOn, of Cincin-
natl; 0. w. Oliver, of Wichita, Kansas;
Thomas w. Holiday, of Cairo, ILL.,; Judge
of Council Bluffs, Ia; Ex-Governor E. o.
Stanard, of st. Louis; John McCluer, of
Wheeling, w. Va. and Captain John
GOlbart, of Evansville, Ind. Committees
on Resolutions and Order of Business
were appointed and the conference then
adjourned until the afternoon.
AT the afternoon session the Committee
on Resolutions submitted the following
report, which was adopted:
RPSOIGpd That if is tho Gpnoo Of fbio
meeting that river convention be held in
the Mississippi valley, tho place to be
hereafter designated, not later than the
Goth of November, 1888.
ReSOt1ed, That it is the duty of the COM
merclal bodies of the cities and towns, and
of the farmers and labOrers in each Con-
gressiOnal district in the Mississippi val
ley to petition their respective representa-
tiVes i'll Congress to uphold and vote for
an adequate appropriation for the i'm
pr0Vement of western water ways.
ReSOtCed, That in the selection hereaf-
ter of members Of Congress from the Mis-
sissippi valley it should be the especial
care OF all people interested that no can
didates be selected except those pro-
nouncedly in favor of the Mississippi
River Improvement.
ReSOtUed, That a subcommittee be
chosen by this meeting to fix the time and
place for calling a Mississippi River Con-
ventiOn, and that this committee prepare.
in due form, a call for said convention.
HeSOtced, That the testimony of time
has but rendered more valuable and nee
essary to the public welfare the proceed
ings of the Mississippi River Improvement
Convention, held in st. Louis October 26,
27 and %, 1881, and we commend its action
to the public mind.