Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1885-09-05

countries, and now reaches either only by
paving such transportation as may be pre-
scribed by railway combinations, which,
by pooling and consolidation, have de-
stroyed all competition, or else over water
routes when navigation is rendered diff
cult and expensive by want Of harbor and
channel Improvements. These greatsprc-
ducing States and Territories are bounded
on the north and east by nearly 1000 miles
of lake coast, including the upper penin-
sula of Michigan, from all parts of
which the world might be reached
cheeply, and is also penetrated in all
directions by some thousand miles OF nav
igable waterways, comprising the Missis-
sippi and Missouri systems and the Red
river of the North, all of which could be
improved at moderate expense and reduce
the cost of transportation to a minimum
and greatly aid in developing our resources
and building mp our commerce and man
ufacturing interests. The work OF sur
veying, examining and estimating the coet
of improving these rivers and harbors has
been thoroughly and exhaustively done
by engineers of the United States War
Department, which estimates show that
the expense is insignificant when COM
pared with the enormous results to be
obtained. AS a part of this system OF
waterways improvement there has been
devised and the cost thereof estimated
| by some high authorities, certain
canals designed to connect the lake
system, and become part of them,
which completed canals would greatly
facilitate trade and cheapen -
Portaeion' -. .ne results already attained
| uy United States engineers by their work
on these several rivers, ,harbors and canals,
with tho meager amount heretofore ap-
propriated has been enninently satisfac-
| tory at all points, fully demonstrating the
feasibility and wisdom OF those plans, and
we would most earnestly insist on their
| complete carrying out at the earliest mo-
ment, by such liberal. appropriations as
viii enable the engineers to pro-
| ceed without delay. That the cost
OF the work required to perfect our
waterways will be far less than the value
| of the 30, ,546, POI acres of land which Con-
! gress donated to railways within our nine
Southwestern States and Territories Ito
say nothing of subsidies ard State grants)
upon the plea of affording cheap transpor-
tation and in pursuance of the national
| internal improvement policy, while the
| direct and immediate benefit will be many
| times greater.
MISSOURI RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
Immediately after the adjournment OF
| the convention meeting was held at the
Merchants Hotel of delegates from Mis-
souri, river points, for the purpose of per-
mauent organization of improvements OF
| the Missouri. There were bet ween thirty
and forty present. The Hon. R. T. Bolter
of Logan, Ia, was chosen temporary
chairman. The following resolu-
| tions, presented by H. M. Kirk
| patrick of Kansas City, were adopted
without discussion:
Resolved, That we, the delegates in
attendance upon the Waterways Con-
vention at st. Paul, who are resi-
| dents upon and near the Missouri
river, do hereby organize ourselves into
an Organization, to be known as the Mis-
souri, River Improvement Committee,
for the purpose of promoting the i'm
provement of that river throughout
| its navigable course.
ResolUed, That the association now
elect officers to hold for two years,
and together form an executive
committee, whose duty it shall be
TO institute and carry forward
vigorous measures TO secure the improve
ment of the river by national appropria-
ton devoted exclusively TO that
work, and committees to visit halls
Of legislation to organize the prop
er support, and do all things cal
culated to vigorously push forward the
| long neglected and greatly needed i'm
provement of this national highway.
Immediately upon the adoption of these
resolutions the meeting permanently
organized by the election of the following
officers: President, the Hon. L. r Boil
ter, Logan, Ia; secretary, w. HI. Beadle,
of Dakota.
The meeting adjourned to meet at the
call OF the president, and it was afterward
decided to hold the first meeting at Kan
sas City November 18th, when arrange
ments will be made for a convention and
an aggressive campaign. Much enthusi.
asm and harmony characterized the meet
ing. Important results are expected to be
the outcome OF the gathering.