Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-09-11
Waterways Question.
Discussed at Length by Dele
gates From Various
States.
Resolutions Adopted by the
Convention.

COHNeHUl0H.
The much talked of waterways con-
vention to be held IN ST. Paul, has
| Just closed its werk The convention
was called to order by Gov. Hubbard,
who stated the object of the conven
ton to be the national recognition of
the vast commercial interests of
| the northwest, the greatest producing
section OF this continent. He said the
northwestern states and territories
been been neglected by cong gress, and
now they had come together to ems
force their rights in such way as
they could not longer be ignored. On
this point he reinforced his argument
by statistics. He protested that the
convention had not been called with
design against any section, nor to
antagonize any interest. On the con-
trary, he said, the convention would
encourage every section to develop
their waterways, but insisted that the
northwest should have the same con>
sideration. He protested against the
determinations against the northwest
in previous appropriations. Although
the northwest had been the greatest
producer, 1t had received but small
share of the appropriations for rivers
and harbors.
In conclusion Gov. Hubbard gave
the delegates cordial greeting to the
state, and introduced Mayor Rice,
who, in few well chosen words, well
coined the guests to the freedom of the
CITY,
Upon permanent organization Will
liam Warner. of Missouri, was made
president, and Platt B. Walker, OF
Minn., secretary. Speeches were made
by ex Gov. Bross, Mr.. Chase, of Ona-
ha, Senator sEustace, of Louisiana,
w. H. Hatch, of Missouri, Clark E.
Carr, of Illinois, aud Mr.. Murphy,
of Iowa, after which the committee
on resolutions reported as follows:
Mr., CHAIEMAN:-Your committee on resolu.
tOns having carefully consulted upon the various
resolutions and subjects reported to them, re-
spectfully submit the 70 lowing report:
WHEREAS, In order to secure to the producers
in all parts of the country the CHEST possible
turn 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 transportation be reduced to the
minimum, therefore
Resolred, That an immediate and comprehen
sive Improvement of the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers and their navgabe tributaries TO the fullest
extent of their improbable capacity, in order to
secure safe permanent and reliable channels, of
sufficient depth and breadth to afford at all sea
sons of the year ample facilities for trans
portaton OF the immense production of the Mis-
sisSippi Valley, is demanded of the government
of the United States by every consideration of
commercial and social advancement, and by JUS
tice and an enlightened policy of promoting the
prosperity and defense of the nation.
ReSOiUed, That favor any meritoriOuS pro
ject for increased water transportation facilities
by which the general interests of the whole coun-
try may be conserned, and we commend liberal
policy in this regard TO the careful consideration
and intelligent support of congress; but we deem
the MssssiSpi an Missouri rivers and their nav VI
igable tributaries, according TO some cOmpre-
hensive plan, embracing the whole subject, of
paramount Importance.
ReSOlrcd, 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, ana the distance between the falls and the
mouth OF the Ohio river being more than half the
distance of the navigabe water of said rivers
ReSotred, That sufficient appropriations should
be made to give at least six feet of water in the
Mississippi river from Cairo to the Falls of st An
Jhony at the earliest practicable day aEd that
urge upon congress that an immediate appropri-
alton be made for the amount necessary to com
plete said work and that also favor the con
tinuing Of liberal appropriations by congress for
the Improvement of the Mississippi from Cairo te
the Gulf.
Resolued, That an appropriation should be
made by congress for the improvement of the
navigation of the Mississippi to the navigable
sources thereof in accordance with the recon-
mendation OF the government engineers
WHEREAS, The Missouri river is one of the larg-
est and longest rivers in the world, watering an
agricultural and mineral country unsurpassed in
wealth, its borders populated by over six millions
OF people, yet never having received direct APP
preparation from the national government for Its
general Improvement prisr TO the fifth congress;
therefore be it
ReSOlred, That we earnestly recommend and
urge the present and permanent improvement of
the navigation of the Missouri river upon a gen.
eral systematic plan to prepare it for commerce
by steamers and barges, and we urge the policy
of large and continuous appropriations by con-
greSS therefor; we further recommend that the
Improvement be carried forward as a distinct
separate measure and in not less than five divi-
sions of the river and the United States engineers
aud the civilians resident thereon, with equal ap-
plcation of appropriations for this work. CON
sumnate with the wealth and growth of the
great country tributary thereto.
Resolred, That this convention urge it upon the
government to appoint upon the Missouri river
commission engineers and civilians residing upon
and interested in the improvement of the Mis-
souri, river and whose other interests are not in
compatible with their duties said commission
erS.
Resolred, That in the opipion of the convention
the management of the Illinois and Michigan
canal and the extension of the same by the con-
struction of canal from the Illinois river Hen
nepin, to the Mississippi river at Rock Island.
thereby connecting the great lakes with the up
per Mississippi and thus giving continuous line
of water transportation from the Mississippi Val
ley to the Atlantic seaboard Is demanded in the
interest OF cheap transportation and the now i'm
mense and growing commerce of the northwest.
And we call upon our senators and representa-
tives in congress to urge the construction Of such
a canal and the enlargement of the Illinois and
Michigan canal by the general government.
Resolred, That this convention approves the
plans recommended and urged by the United
States engineers in charge Of the Sault Ste Marie
canal for improving the capacity of the stream
TO meet the rapid growing demands of commerce
by constructing an additional lock twenty-one
feet Deep and we favor the completion of the Nay
lake channel at the earliest possible day, and we
preparations of the amounts recommended for
the preservation of these works.
Resolved, That we also recommend an appro-
priation sufficient to Immediately complete the
work undertaken and that which may be neces-
sary for the improvement of the Red river of the
North and the tributary, adjacent lakes and
streams.
ResoIred, That the convention favors the early
completion of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers with
a view OF providing a through route by water
transportation between the great lakes.
Resolved, That the Yellowstone river, the Chip
pewa river in the state of Wisconsin the St Croix
between the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota,
merce and the immense benefits that would flow
from their improvement, are well entitled to the
fostering care OF the general government, and we
recommend such appropriations for their i'm
provement may be deemed judicious by the
governments engineers.
Resolved, That the system OF water way i'm
provement herein recommended Is intended TO
embrace the improvement of the harbors to which
they are tributary.
faction the benefits which have resulted to the
navigation of the Mississippi river and its tribu-
taries from the extension OF the light house sys
tenn thereto, and also the snag and dredge boat
servica and renew the hope that annual ap-
preparation viii be made TO insure the efficiency
of both.
Resolred, That in the opinion of this conven-
tion an annual appropriation of SIS 900 coo for the
improvement of the rivers and harbors of the
United States, and the construction of artificial
water ways would not be extravaganr, and could
be expended so to enrich the country far be-
yond the amount so appropriated
The resolutions were received en-
Enthusiastically at various points IN
the text, and were unanimously
adopted by the convention amid great
applause.
Judge Frye, of New York, address
ed the convention on the Florida ship
canal. He claimed this the route by
which all products should go to forx