St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-09-03
A Missouri Opinion.

VI course the 81. Louis people are en-
thusiastlc," said Gov. Stannard of that
city to a GLOBE reporter last evening, after
he came from the meeting Of the Missouri
river people. ''They wouldn't be here if
they were not. We have come here at the
invitation of the Minnesota men and we
propose to let them run it about as they
see fit, and we have no propositions to
make. We haven't mentioned the subject
OF the permanent craftsmanship. and L don't
know as we have any preferences.
1--WE have for a long time been trying to
arrange such a convention as this. The
real object of it is to improve the Missls-
sippi river from st. Louis to st. Paul so
that at the very lowest stage of the river
there will be five feet of water in the chan
nel Engineers have perfected plans, but
these plans require lots of money. a
great deal has been appropriated by con-
greSs, but nearly all has been spent in
improving the river where it would be
of no benefit to the Northern states
along the river. The necessity of lmprov-
ing the river and helping the commerce of
the Northern states, which are compare
lively new, is essential. Your people de-
feated an appropriation in the last congress,
because all would have been expended in
places where Minnesota would have re-
ceived no benefit.
''The Hennepin canal is an improvement
which | do not care much to speak about.
But it is perhaps best for the delegates of
other states to act in concert with those
from Illinois, else it will be fight of Illi-
nois against all the other interests.
If Illinois is favored i'll the
Hennepin canal scheme, then Illinois will
be favorable toward an appropriation from
congress for the improvement of the upper
Mississippi. The convention was called for
all to work in harmony. In the past each
state has been fighting for itself and against
all the rest. or in other words they were all
pulling against each other. Now we have
all together, and the best thing to be done
is to pull together; the Missouri river dele
gates also. Improvements which are made
anywhere must of necessity affect favorablY
all the districts tributary to it,"
Il. j. Henderson of Princeton presided,
and Hon. w. j. Onahan OF Chicago acted
as secretary.
After some little discussion, Messrs. Cox,
Crocker, Beardsley, Utley and McNulty
were made committee to present to the
delegation at a meeting, to be held this
morning, plan of action. Col. Crooks of
st. Paul, member of the Minnesota COM
mission. was introduced, and made an elo
quent address. He expressed the gratifica-
ton of everybody in Minnesota at seeing so
large representation from Illinois at the
convention, and the evident interest taken
in it by all the visiting delegates. The
interests of Minnesota and Illinois
were almost identical in this matter.
What would benefit one would benefit the
other likewise, and, furthermore, Mime
sofa was interested with Illinois in the
opening of the Hennepin canal. (Ap-
plause.) He wanted it understood that
there was community of interests in this
matter, and he hoped it would not be
thought necessary to oppose any other river
Improvement project in order to attain the
one object all desire so heartily. Let the
South have their appropriations, but let it
be understood that the Northwest has the
same rights and proposes to maintain them,
and will not longer be put off with driblets
of appropriations and promises Of more.
The money was in the treasury and belongs
to the people and ought to be used for the
people.
National and state legislatures had
wrestled with this question of transporta-
ton unavailingly. The way to settle that
problem was by competition and the
cheapest competition was the best.
Ool' SioOhS loiialho H0iS io0olNSu WIN
applause, following which Chairman Hen
derson, in a few pleasant words, told how
heartily Illinois reciprocated the friendly
advances made by Minnesota. Their inter
estS were closely allied, if not Identical, and
he hoped both would see the necessity of
working for the interests OF the Hennepin
canal.
After some further talk the meeting ad-
journed to reassemble at the same place at
9 this morning.