The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1885-09-10
WATERWAYS CONVENTION.


many distinguished people present includ-
ing governors, congressman, etc., from the
states named. The convention was held
in Commodore Davidson's skating rink,
which was elegantly decorated, the position
OF each delegate being designated by q ban.
ner, as in national conventions. As the
delegates took their seats, it was noticed
that they were, MS whole, men OF mark.
The convention was called to order by
Governor Hubbard OF Minnesota, who, al
ter prayer by Rev. DR.. Dana, delivered an
address. The Mayor OF St. Paul, Hon.
Edmund Rice, then welcomed the delegates
to the city. Y
Hon. VIM. Bross OF Chicago was elected
temporary chairman and U. C. Sturtevant OF
Minneapolis temporary secretary. After
discussion a resolution was adopted: That
the committee on credentials, rules and or
ganization consist OF two each. and the
committee on resolutions OF three each from
the various states and territories, the
members OF the committee to be chosen by
the delegations and announced by their
chairmen.
Ignntius Donnelly secured the floor, and,
in spite OF opposition, held it until he had
delivered an elaborateseries OF resolutions,
which were referred to the committee on
resolutions. #
The committee on credentials reported
the names of 926 persons who were en-
titled to seats.
While waiting for theEommittees to re.
port Congressman. Murphy from Daven-
port, Iowa, made q speech, mostly in!tavor
OF the Hennipin canal.
There was a long discussion OF the re port
OF the committee on rules, which gave only
ten votes to each State and Territory.
The large delegation from Minnesota was
regarded as,dangerous to harmonious ac.i
ton and unjust to delegates from other
States. Finally that obnoxious rule was
stricken out, leaving every delegate ~ vote.
The committee on permanent organiza-
tion then reported the following: III '
President-Maj. William Warner, Kan
sas City, Mo.
y First Vice President-Gen. G. W. Jones.
| Iowa. Is .ss- =
| Ballingall, C. NJ. Miller Senator Miles;
Dakota, johnson Nickens, "A. Boynton, s..
8, Lockhart; Minnesota. Mark H. Dunnell
+. w. Durant, s. G. Comstock; Wisconsin,
I.ucius Fairchild, D. A. Mcdonald, O. H.
Ingram; Kansas, d. A. Millington, j. d.
Barker, C. E. Clifford; Missouri, j. G..
Wear h. N. Phillips. James McClane;
Montana, Martin Maginnis; Illinois, H. "A.
Candel, George H. Ritchey, W. H. Croker.
Secretary-Platt B. Walker OF Minneap-
| lis. 4 q fzs.5- 60 5sE5' %.iA$ E3s3$s ~
Assistant Secretaries-F. A. Fitzpatrick,
Kansas; Pitt Bartlett, Wisconsin; y. F.
| Wright, Illinois. 5 z3#E u. Z.
Recording Clerk. A. Crittenden, MI
fnois. 535 " .s H : ~
iMAjor William Warner who is q congress-
man, and IN excellent presiding officer,
mndea shortspeech on taking the chair.
The report OF the committee on perma-
lsnent orgnniza ton fell like a thunderclap
upon the ear OF tile temporary chairman.
l. "a %ha u
rise to5an explanation, and, after consider
able beating around the bush, it became
evident that the gentleman had been given
to understand that he was to be made
| permanent chairman of the convention,
and, in order to be well prepared for that
emergency, he had written out an elaborate
address OF acceptance which he held up in
printed slips, with the remark that 10
copies had been distributed to the papers
of the associated press. President Warner,
however, pleasantly invited Gov. Bross to
read the address which was well received.
4 After adjournment the committee on reso-
buttons met and had a busy time until at.
Ter midnight in hearing remarks, and In
endeavoring to formulate material for 40.
ton by the convention. /. u q Isl 81.
Nj the opening OF the second day 3 SEES
IFBfon the committee on resolutions were not
ready to report They were in session for
some ten hours, all told. The different
delegations appeared and placed before
them large piles Of { documents, cali
ing Tor the improvements ofexisting water.
ways OF the Northwest All had a respect-
into secret session to slit out of the mass
| OF applications before them those measures
which alone possessed merit. A sub-com-
| mittee was appointed and was in session
tduring the entire forenoon. Therefore the
time was SPENT by the convention in
listening to running debates. and
speeches from Mayor Chase Of Omaha
Ignatius Donnelly, Senator Eustis OF
Louisiana, Congressman Hatch of NO.,
Gen. Carr Of Galesbnrg, ILL.,, etc. In the
afternoon, it was reported that the com
mittee on resolutions was prepared to re-.
port, and W. H. Beadle OF Dakota
I stepped to the platform and read, in
q clear, ringing voice, the lons-looked- for
resolutions, while everybody opened eyes,
ears and mouth to take them all in, The
resolutions were as follows: 55s}t
Whereas, In order tossecure to the pro.
] ducers in all parts OF the country the high
est possible return for their products and
the most favorable exchange OF the same
and Cur proper relations to the conditions
OF foreign markets, it is essential that the
cost OF tho transportation be reduced to
| the minimum; therefore s ~ i ;. &
81 Resolved, That the immediate and com.
/ prehensiye improvement OF the Mississippi
/ and Missouri rivers and their navigable
tributaries to the fullest extent OF their i'm.
| provable capacity, in order to secure safe.
cient depth and breathsto afford at all
seasons OF the year ample facilities for the
/ water transportation Of the immense pro.
duction Of the Mississippi valley, is de.
manded OF the government Of the United
States by every consideraA Non of CONNER.
i cial, agricultural and social advancement,
and by Justice, and IN enlightened policy 81
promoting the prosperity and defense ol
the nation. q, l55 " ~
] Resolved, That wefayor any meritorioues
] project for increased water nsportation
1 facilities by which the. general interests Of
! the whole country may be conserved, and
4 we commend a liberal policy in this regard
/ to the careful consid eration and intelligent
/ support Of congress; but we deem the i'm,
y mediate and permanent Improvement Of
y the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and
4 their navigable tributaries, according to
= some comprehensiyeAp plan, embracing the
i whole subject, OF paramount Importance
Resolved, That the i Mississippi river,
from the Falls Of ST. Anthony to the Gull
i Of Mexico, is the great national highway
i Tor the commerce of the West; and the
I distance between the said falls and the
mouth Of the Ohio river being more than
half the distance OF the navigable water Of
said river. sss5tzts .Ss$sa a.
Resolved, That sufficient approrpria-
tons should be made to give at least
six feet Of water in the Mississippi river
4 from Cairo to the Falls OF st. Anthony
/ ct the earliest practicable day, and that
we urge upon congress- thnt an immedi.
| ate appropriation be made for the amount
necessary to complete said work; and we
i also favor continued liberal appropriation
] by congress for the Improvement Of the
mississippi from Cairo TO the gulf.
Resolved, That appropriations shonld
I be made BY congress Tor the improvement
Of navigation Of the Mississippi TO thenay.
igable sources thereof, in accordance with