The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-07
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Vhe Convention Doing Good Work al
Washington.
The Delegates Call al the White House
.-GOOd Outlook for the Hen.
nepin Canal Bill.


sissippi river convention reassembled to
day, the delegates at once began TO pour
in resolutions upon the chair, most OF
which were referred Immediately to the
committee on resolutions. A Kansas
delegate offered a resolution which was
adopted, requesting the sergeant at arms
to display our national flag in and about
the hall during the meeting of the con
vention and especially on the rostrum and
about the speakers chair. A resolution
was adopted inviting Senator Logan and
the members of the senate Mississippi
river committee TO visit the convention
Resolutions We're presented looking to the
enacement OF law requiring bridges to
be so located and constructed SO as not to
endanger life and property and to prevent
the obstruction of navigable waters by
railroads.
A resolution was passed inviting all
members of congress 10 attend the CON
vention. At this point a young man
entered the hall bringing large American
flag, which was saluted with boisterous
applause The flag was unfurled and
placed on platform behind the presi-
dents chair. A resolution was offered
and referred, approving the plans for the
Improvements made by the United States
engineers. declaring that the public works
| ought to be done by the officers of the
United States and that no work should be
done by contract, and no cOnvicts EN-.
ployed on any public work except public
roads, that congress should entertain no
project to establish artificial water ways
until the condition Of The navigablq
streams are improved
Among other resolutions offered was
one urging an appropriation for the i'm
| provement of the navigation of the great
lakes. one urging liberal appropriations
TO enable the chief signal officer to i'm
prove the service of the river observations,
| and one approving the Hennipin Canal
| project. While the resolutions were
being offered. Senator Logan and his col
leagues of the senate committee that
examined the Mississippi river improve
ments entered the hall The delegates
rose and greeted them with long applause
| When the senators had taken their seats
there were loud calls for Logan, and sena-
| tor Logan was introduced and made 6
brief speech. Senator Sawyer Jones
and Walker were also called upon and
spoke. Senator Jones described rapidly
the the thorough examination by the
committee and said he trusted the repor
would have its effect
Gen. Turner (Tenn) offered joculal
motion that congress be requested Il
make an appropriation to pay the expens,
of this convention.
Mr.. Lowry Mo- then took the floor
and made lengthy speech on cheal
transportation. He said this convention
did not come to Washington to petition
congress, but to instruct the young demo
cracy and the young republicans of th'
of the Mississippi Valley. The speakc
declared that he will not follow any part!
that will not advocate the policy of cheaE
transportation. The party, he said. tina
offers the most substantial proofs of it
adherence to these principles would surel,
win in the next National campaign. A
this point the convention took recess il
order to give the Committee on Resolu
tions an opportunity to report. When HI
convention reassembled ir was announced
that the Committee on Resolutions had no
been able to complete its report A dele
gate said that he understood the Committc
was not harmonious in its views. 4
resolution was thereupon adopted in
structing the committee 10 make repor
tomorrow morning. Gen Floyd King
of Louisiana United States senator, wa
invited to the stage and addressed tn
delegates in brief speech. in which h
advocated the cause of the convention.
Mr. Turner, of Tennessee, made Il stronI
speech in denunciation of the spirit O
intolerance shown towards projects 70
national improvements in the south. Hi
speech was filled with quaint and humor
Gus remarks and created shouts of laugh
ter and applause.
The Mississippi river commission mad
arrangements with the marine hospita
service for treatment in its hospitals of al
their sick employees along the Mississipp
from St Paul to New Orleans
CALL ON THE PRESIDENT
The delegates to the Mississippi rive
convention called at the white house in
body and paid their respects to the prest
dent Stanard, chairman made a shoI
address in which he expressed the thank
of the delegates to the president for tn
interest he has shown in Mississippi rive
improvements and his effort to secur
favorable action by congress. He hope
that the convention would secure til
legislation desired, looking to speed
and permanent improvement of the grea
Missippi river.
HENNEPIN CANAL BILL.