St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-09-04
whatever saving is thus efectea ia SO mucA

Whatever saving is thus effected is so muc h
the better for the people. Applause
1t may be feared that by opening q great
and adequate waterway line to the Gulf of
Mexico and to the great lakes the business OF
the railways would be sadly crippled, and that
their influence will be potent to prevent it.
This convention surely has no quarrel with
the railways. There ought never to be any
opposition by the railways to the improve
ment OF the great waterways of the republic.
1t is sure in the end to be both Improbable
and unwise for them to make any objection
to it.
ANOTHER THING.
The upper Mississippi states paid into the
national treasury on account of internal rev.
enue in 1884 $30,005, 1888. Illinois alone paid
S23, ,52O,216. Now, have not the 10,000,000 and
more or the people represented in this con-
vention right to demand of congress at
least 5-aye, 20-per cent. of what they pay
into the national treasury to improve the
great waterways and to construct short ca
nal between them, costing only S7,000,000,
thus giving them the means to make much
larger contributions to the resources of the
government?
Now let this convention, and the repre-
sentatives and senators of the great states
here represented give notice, distinct and
emphatic that until the improvement of our
great waterways is adopted as q constituent
part of the national river system, with an
adequate share of the appropriations, no river
and harbor bill shall ever become law of the
land. More than thirty millions of people,
east and west, demand it, and that demand
must be needed.
The Erie and Welland canals, with the
water transit of the great lakes, now end at
Chicago, but with the Hennepin canal and the
Mississippi it will be extended from 900 to
500 miles northwest to St. Paul. Can any
man doubt that such work would reserve to
the people ten times the interest on its cost
every year? Surely there should be no more
delay than is absolutely needed in its con-
struction.
And now, gentlemen, permit me to say, in
conclusion, that the time for facts and argu-
ments on this subject is passed. They are
conclusive as to the vast Importance of the
improvement of the waterways of the Missis-
sippi valley. 1t ISL no sectional spirit that
we make this appeal 1t is for the whole ma
tion that we speak. Let congress complete
the greatest work and most important to the
wealth, the prosperity and the progress of
the nation, for all time to come, is accom-
plished. Applause.
RULE 8.
At the conclusion of Gov. Bross' speech,
the convention proceeded to the discussion
Of Rule s. Fl. L. Gordon of Minneapolis
moved as an amendment the striking out
Rule s.
Aid. Shorey Of Chicago objected to the
rule as not in harmony with the call of the
convention. 1t proceeded upon the theory
that the convention was representation of
states and territories which was not the
theory on which the call was issued His
own city was represented by three or four
delegations. If the votes were taken in
accordance with the theory of the call then
the action of the convention would be the
action not only of the states but also of the
different trade organizations and cities
represented here. Applause.
John p. AltgeId Of Chicago said the
action ON the report was OF such far-reach-
ing consequences that it ought to be well
considered 1t it goes out that this con-
vention takes action on improvements
where the capital that will build these i'm
provements is unequally represented, then
its action will be of little value. This con-
vention is not alone for Minnesota. From
Missouri, Iowa and Illinois come one
third the revenue collections of the country
and the Illinois men will be as largely taxed
as any other. There is no sense in giving
Minnesota enough rates to practically de-
stroy the action of other states. 81 notice
the Pioneer Press of the city speaks in an
tagonism to one very important interest that
will be brought before the convention, said
Mr.. Altgeld sit is fair to presume that
this paper represents the sentiment of the
state, and we are warned beforehand what
sort of action to expect"
Col. Crooks-The Pioneer Press does not
represent the sentiment of the state.
Mr.. Altgeld continued in favor of the re-
port of the committee. He said he thought
the resolutions read at the morning session
(Donnelly's) indicated that there was a
spirit abroad that would be especially ag-
greSSive in securing benefits solely in the
interests of Minnesota. 1t might be well if
this idea were carried out further, and
Minnesota given some more delegates, so
that if there was any movement set on foot
that did not suit Minnesota, it could be
killed off. He favored giving to Iowa, to
Illinois, to Minnesota and every other state
the same representation.
DoNNELLY OBJECTS.
This brought Mr.. Donnelly to his feet
with disclaimer that his resolutions were
drawn in any spirit of hostility to the Hen
nepin canal. He asserted that if Minnesota
had preponderance on the floor it would
not use that preponderance to oppress its
neighbors who were not so well repre-
sented.
Mr.. Hartman Of Nebraska supported the
rule as a member of the committee On rules.
In the committee E. w. Durant from Min
nesota drew attention to the disproportion-
ately large representation of Minnesota in
the convention, and stated that this state
did not desire to use it's power unduly. The
rule was then recommended as tending to
suppress any sectional fight that
might arise i'll the convention.
Distant states were represented here
which could not afford to send large delega-
tions, which were, nevertheless, as
much interested in the proceed
ings of the convention as any
state represented. In Nebraska, for in
stance, there had been forty delegates ap-
pointed, of whom only ten were able to be
present, although Nebraska was as much
interested in the results of the convention
as any state. The committee did not want
to spring any gag rule here, but formulated
the measure in the interests of harmony
and justice to all interests.
Gen. Henderson of Illinois said the re-
port of the committee could not be suS-
tanned ON any basis Either population or
representation should be taken into the ac-
count. However, it was hardly likely
that this convention would have such an
influence on congress that any great amount
of trouble should be wasted over the Ques-
ton at isaue. Laughter. The governors
call had asked for ten delegates from each
state and others from organizations and
municipalities. He insisted that every state
was on an equal basis and should be given
an equal showing.
Mr.. Hyde Of Minnesota didn't think
Minnesota was in the convention to put
down any measure which could be of utility
to any part of the country represented in
the convention. 1t was not exactly fair for
the other states to mistrust that Minnesota
was here to injure the measures brought
forward by the other states. All were