St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-08-24
THE RIVER CONVENTION.
Time for the City Delegates 10 Or
ganize--MOre Delegates.

S1niZC-slIOre belGKareSs
1t is doubtful if the people OF st. Paul,
Minneapolis, and indeed of the state at
large appreciate the Importance of the river
convention which is to be held here Sept. 3.
On this subject Col. Walker said yesterday
to GLOBE reporter: at ought TO be under
stood that this is going to be a great con-
ton, and that much good will probably be
done by it. Nine states and territories will
be represented by large delegations conf
posed of men of worth and influence from
every city which has any interest IN the
matter and from the states at large. Now
these nine states and territories are repre-
scented in congress by seventy-one members
of the house and fourteen senators. Now
if the Northwest in this convention will
make its demand with one voice, and if this
demand is is so backed up by the press and
public sentiment Of the states who have an
interest in the matter, we ought to accom-
plish the object we so much desire. Once
unite these SeVenty-One representatives and
fourteen senators on measure of this kind
and they ought to be able TO carry their
point"
''Why, just look at it." he continued.
Here are the Wisconsin, Chippewa, st.
CroiX, Red and Missouri, navigaDle rivers be-
sides the Mississippi, thatneed improvement,
and they are cut off with a mere pittance.
Wehave now got channel in the Mississippi
river of about four and one-half feet, and we
attained our object only after fighting about
ten years, and secured $500, 900 appropria-
ton between here and Keokuk. Instead
of $500, 900 we want million and q half,
and we propose to have it, on this stretch
of river, and also a fair appropriation TO be
used between here and Minneapolis.
"NOw l hope it won't be considered
necessary to antagonize other sections of
the country. What we are after is our
OWN appropriation, not to cut down that of
other parts of the country. We may show
the discrepancy between them if you please,
and how we are treated stingily while they
get liberal amounts: but it won't pay TO
antagonize them. Let us tend TO our
knitting; that's the way to succeed in this
matter.
NOW, there's one thing 1 wish you
would suggest to the people, and that is
that it's about time to begin to organize our
delegations. The st. Paul delegations are
row about all appointed with the exception
of that Of the Jobbers' union. All the
Minneapolis delegates are appointed, / be-
lleYe, and they ought to get together pretty
soon, appoint their committees, consider
the matters which they propose TO bring be-
fore the convention, and be preparing
their resolutions. Then there ought 10 be
called conference OF the state delegates to
meet on the night of the I'd for the
same purpose. There needs TO be organiza-
ton in this thing and definite purpose be-
forehand of what is proposed to be done. :"
The following additional delegates have
been appointed to the convention:
Illinois, at Large-Philip Zelle, Peoria; Capt.
o. n. Chaifee, Quincy; Hon. George L.
Adams and Hon. William Bross, Chicago;
Capt. A. Il. Sparks, Alton; Hon. J. c. Willis,
Metropolis: Capt w. P. Halliday, Cairo: W
S. Knowlton lid Capt. c. w. Durham, Rock
Island; Col. Clark L. Curr. Galesburg.
la CroSse-JOhn 5. Medary, james NcCord.
S. w. Anderson, David Sawyer, 5. l.. Norris
The local committee which has charge OF
the arrangements for the convention will
hold a meeting early this week TO prepare
plans for the reception and entertainment
of the delegates. 1t Is probable that the
Exposition rink, opposite the GLOBE Office,
will be chosen as the place of holding the
convention. A public reception from the
city TO the visitors is also among the proba-
bilitieS, but exactly what form it will take
is not known. The steamboat lines will
transport delegates free and the railways
will make a rate equal TO fare and fifth