The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-09-10
WATERWAYS CONVENTION.
Nearly - Thousand Delegates Present
from the States of the Northwest-Pro-
ceedings of the Convention.


ceedings of the Convention.
The convention of delegates from various
States at st. Paul last week was
very largely attended. Credentials were
presented fully 926 persons from Minneso-
tn, Montana, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin,
Kansas, Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa.
Minnesota sent $3.50 delegates. There were
many distinguished people present includ-
ing governors, congressman, etc, from the
states named. The convention was held
in Commodore Davidsons skating rink,
which was elegantly decorated. the position
of each delegate being designated by n BAN
ner. as in national conventions. As the
delegates took their seats, it was noticed
that they were, as n whole, men of mark.
The convention was called to order by
Governor Hubbard OF Minnesota, who, af-
ter prayer by Rev. DIR. Dana, delivered an
address. The Mayor of st. Paul, Hon.
Edmund Rice, then welcomed the delegates
to the city.
Hon. VIM. Bross OF Chicago was elected
temporary chairman and L. c. Sturteyant OF
Minneapolis temporary secretary. After
discussion u 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.
Ignatius Donnelly secured the floor, and,
in spite of opposition, held it until he had
delivered an elaborate series 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 the committees to re-
port Congressman Murphy from Daven-
port, Iowa, made speech, mostly in tavor
of the Hennipin canal.
There was n long discussion of the re port
of the committee on rules, which gave only
ten votes to each State and Territory.
The large deleya ton from Minnesota was
regarded as dangerous to harmonious ac-
ton and unjust to delegates from other
States. Finally that obnoxious rule was
stricken out, leaving every delegate a vote.
The committee on permanent organlZa-
ton then reported the following:
President-Mai. William Warner, Kan
sas City, Mo.
First Vice President-.Gen. G. w. Jones,
Iowa.
Honorary Vice Presidents-Iowa, p. G..
Ballineall. c. NJ. Miller, Senator Miles;
Dakota, Johnson Nickens, \. Boynton, s.
S Loekhart: Minnesota, Mark III. Dunnell,
F.. W. Durant, s. q. Comstoek; Wisconsin,
Lucius Fairchild, ID. \. Mcdonald, Q. H.
Ingram: Kansas ID. \. Milington, j. ID.
Barker. C. f. Clifford; Missouri, j. c..
Wear, II. \. Phillips, james Mctlane;
Montana, Martin Maginnis; Illinois, III. a.
Candel. George III. Ritchey, W. II. Croker.
Secretary-Platt b. Walker OF Minneap-
lis.
Assistant Secretaries-F. \. Fitzpatrick,
Kansas; Pitt Bartlett, Wisconsin; j. F.
Wright Illinois.
Recording Clerll-F 4. Crittcnden, Hi
nois.
Major William Warner who is a congress
man, and an excellent presiding officer,
made a short speech on taking the chair.
The report of the committee on perma-
nent organization fell like thunderclap
upon the ear of the temporary chairman.
Mr. Bross took the earliest opportunity to
rise to I'm explanation, and, after consider
able '.beatn. 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 ont 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.
After adjournment the committee on reso-
buttons met and had busy time until al
ter midnight in hearing remarks, and in
eHdeayoring to formulate material for &C
tion by the convention.
On the opening OF the second days ses-
sion 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, call
ing for the improvements of existing water
"a r0N No. ha1 a ,aaf-
full hearing and then the committee went
into secret session to sift out of the mass
of applications before them those measures
which alone possessed merit. sub-com-
mittee was appointed and was in session
during 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 Mo-,
Gen. Carr OF Galesburg, ILL.,. etc. In the
afternoon, it was reported that the COM
mittee on resolutions was prepared to re-
port, and w. II. Beadle OF Dakota
stepped to the platform and read, in
a clear. ringing voice, the long-looked-for
resolutions, while everybody opened eyes,
ears and mouth to take them all in. The
resolutions were as follows:
Whereas, In order to secure 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 our proper relations to the conditions
of foreign markets, it is essential that the
cost OF the transportation be reduced to
the minimum; therefore
Resolved. That the immediate and COM
prehensive improvement OF the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers and their navigable
tributaries to the fullest extent OF their inn
provable capacity in order to secure safe,
IL il. -
Gent depth and breath to 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 consideration OF CONNER
cial, agricultural and social advancement,
and by justice, and an enlightened policy OF
promoting the prosperity and defense OF
the nation.
Resolved, That wefavorany meFitorious
project for increased water transportation
facilities by which the general interests OF
the whole country may be conserved, and
we commend liberal policy In this regard
to the careful consideration and intelligent
support of congress-; but deem the inn
mediate and permanent improvement OF
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and
their navigable tributaries, according to
some comprehensive plan, embracing the
whole subject, of paramount Importance,
Resolved, That the Mississippi river,
from the Falls of st. Anthony to the Gulf
of Mexico, is the great national highway
for the commerce OF the West; and the
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.
Resolved, That sufficient approrpria-
tions should be made to give at least
six feet OF water i'm the Mississippi river
from Cairo to the Falls of st. Anthony
at the earliest practicable day, and that
we urge upon congress that an immedi-
ate appropriation be made for the amount
necessary to complete said work; and we
also favor continued liberal appropriations
by congress for the Improvement OF the
Mississippi from Cairo to the gulf.
Resolved That appropriations should
be made by congress for the Improvement
of navigation Of the Mississippi to the nav
igable sources thereof, in accordance with
the recommendation Of the government en-
IN 4 he