National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-01-25

approach to tho Atlantic seaboard was
wanted, aud such was the plan suggested Dy
the construction of the Hennepin canal by
uniting the lake systems with small canals,
an idea not new or novel, and uniting 81.
Paul, Mimi, with New York city. statistics
wero given showing that the surplus OF cereals
over native consumption in tho states OF
Minnesota and Iowa would within certain
period pay the costs Of construction anu en-
largements of these canals. A foreign
market was Indispensable and COM
petition must be entered into with the
European agricultural countries Russia,
Hungary, India and Austria were making
rapid strides in agricultural development.
They were powers which this nation must
overcome with its products. We have cheap
lands, the best machines and husbands, While
they have the cheapest labor and transporta-
tion. England is on the lookout for her
transportation She has spent over 9j3,OOOOOO
for canals and spends her money freely
h for her railways which ,,s,s,o tss con; on
her subjects. England was exceedingly
restivo as to its dependence on the United
States for grain The dark continent OF
Africa was looming up, and already rail-
way was transporting products from the Congo
river to the Suez canal. The estimated saving
cost by water of transportation to the pro-
ducers of the west would be 6.l0 cents. At
present il costs as much to transport from the
field to an inland port as it does from the in.
land port to the seabOard. He claimed that
forty.five days of the whisky tax would make
the improvements and tho people were de-
sirous Of the cheapest means to convey the
products of the soil to the markets
Mr.. Miller, of New York, followed with n
paper on the subject, and claimed that his
twenty-five years of experience in canal mat
ters attested that water was by far the cheap
est means of transportation. lie traced the
history of the navigable water courses since
1926, and commended the value of tho canal
20 the general public. lie held that the canal
was check upon CXOrbitant demands of
the railroads, and cited the testimony of Mr..
Blanchard. actin vice president of the Erie
railway, as TO ~. llue of the Eric canal be-
fore the Hcib., legislative investigating
committee, as also that of blr. A. Fink.
tIo argued that the usefulness of the canal
had not gone by. He admitted that appro-
priations had been wasted in questionable
works. The improvement of inland water
routes should be cons dered solely in regard
to the benefits derived thGretrOm. Statistics
of the work done OH the Erie and the i'm
mense tonnage carried on its waters bore
strong testimony as to his claim of the value
of such water routes The S5,O0O,0o0 called
for to construct these works, as estimated by
the United States engineer department,
would be repaid within short time. He
hoped to sec soon the Hennepn canal con-
meeting the Mississippi river with the great
lakes and the Atlantic ocean, via the Eric
canal and the Hudson, and the waters of
Lake Michigan with the Atlantic.
After some debate a resolution was adopted
that the enlargement and construction by
the government Of these water ways be urged
upon congress and the necessary appropria-
tons asked for as by survey made by the
secretary of war.
The subject of bankruptcy legislation was
si5aral Nv Of
on motion of Mr.. Janney, allowed the privi-
Ieges OF tide floor of the convention.
Mr.. Sperry made motion that Mr. Stetson
be allowed to explain the Lowell bankrupt
DILL The latter apologized for not entering
into full history and explanation of the
bill. He said that hundreds of letters had
been sent to prominent men in all kinds of
business asking for expressions of opinion
upon bankruptcy, and that thousands of let
tcrs were received, thus attording a vast fund
OF information from sources mostly interested.
IL was problem in law, and it was likely
that hundreds Of years might roll around
before 1t was perfected. The object of the
bill was TO attain near approach to perfect.
ness, and such was the object and care of its
author. lie admitted that many thipes
might be wrong, such is often so. He|re-
GREETED that this nation was the onlystrading
one on the globe without O perfeCf bankrupt
law. He was questioned at length by the
aIOihbSlo VI lcabuEcS
of the bill for a half hour or more.
Adiscussion Of general character ensued, and
resolution was &sed that congress be urged
TO an early enaIfment of an equitable and
uniform bankrupt law embodying the general
principles of the Lowell bill.
The following special committee on ship
ping was announced: Messrs. Wetherill, Low.
Young, Pope, and Snow. The meeting then
adjourned till 10 a. M. to-day. II is probable
that all the business before the convention
will be finished to-day.
The national board of trade last night held
banquet in the tea parlor at Wizards.
Covers were laid for eighty-fve guests Mr..
Fred Fraley presided. Among the honored
guests were Senators Hoar, Hawley Miller
Beck, and Harrison, Hons, Il. Reed Pollock,
Leopold Morse p. A. Collins, L. A. Ranney,
K. W. Dunham, w. d. Kelley, r. q. Horr,
George B. Corkhll, Rufus S. Frost, George p.
Donney. Charles Ii. Dodd John c. Dore,
Murry Nelson, Philo Ransom, John Stetson
Mr.. Sterne, and others Speeches were made
BY Senators Hoar, Hawley Miller, Beck, and
Harrison, Hons l.. Morse, w. d. Kelley, T.
Reed, r. G. Horr, RW. Durham, and Messrs
Young and Sterne.