The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-16
WESTERN WATERWAYS.
G. al for G LIBERATION Among the PEG
pie Of The Mississippi Valley
at New Orleans.

The following call has been received by
w. H. Gsst ESQ.,, and will be submitted
by hin to the Citizens association:
WASHINGTON, D. c., March s, 1885.
10 the people Of the Mississippi Valley, and to the
Exchanges and Commercial Bodies:
The 4sth congress closed its final sese
sion without making any appropriations
for the improvement of the western wat
crways. There were many canses which
brought about such result but the most
important one was the failure, on the part
of the congressman of the Mississippi
valley, TO stand and vote together, The
executive committee on the Improvement
of the western waterways" have always
and earnestly advocated united action on
the part of the people of the valley in
regard 10 this great subject, as it be
lieved that there was little hope of ulli-
mate success -with the fixed and firm
opposition OF the eastern and middle
states-unless the members from the in
terror act together. The discussion upon
the appropriations for western waterways
in the river and hArbor bill, revealed an
opposition in the west which was uneX>
pected For reasons, not made clear
many western congressman arraycd them
selves in opposition to further work in
improving our rivers BY their action
and neglect the great work has been de,
laycd, and unless vigorous measures are
taken on the part Of the people interested
in cheap water transportation, the work
OF improving our waterways will be
abandoned, or postponed, for years. The
executive committee ut its last meeting
adopted the following resolutions:
That, the boards of trade, other com
mercial organizations of the commercial
centcrs Of the Mississippi valley states be
Improvement of the Western Water
Ways Day at the Worlds Industrial and
Cotton Centennial exposition on day to
be designated hereafter.
THAT, the chairman Of this committee
be requested to confer with the eXposi-
ton board of management on this subject
and that the secretary prepare and send
circular letters of invitation to the vari
Gus parties interested
In accordance with these resolutions
the managers of the New Orleans eXposi~
ton have set apart the 9TH and Sth OF
April, 1885, as Improvement Of Western
Water Way Days" Those days will be
given to q discussion OF what measures
are necessary to reinstatc this work OF
river Improvement. Some OF the most
prominent speakers and orators Of the
country, whose names will be given here
after, will be present. This cOmmite,
now calls upon the people Of the MisSs
sippi valley to assemble at New Orleans
on the above named days. II calls upnr
the governors of the Mississippi valley
states AMI upon the officers Of municipa
corporations. upon exchanges and com
mercial bodies to send large numbr o
representative men to attend. Ever,
facility possible will be provided for thr
entertainment of the people and a grca'
mass meeting will be held to discuss fully
the questions relating 10 our intcri0
water ways. If the Improvement Of on
rivers is to 90 forward, the people Of III,
valley must be united and determined
Thoy must be enlightened as 20 the reia'
tlOH Ot lUGlT interests III lHlS Improve
ment They must be aroused as to tht
nature and extent of the opposition ar
rayed against it. Ii the people become
fully alive to this question, in vain vii
men seek to stop, or capital seek to chccl
these improvements Both might as wei
seek to stop the restless waters OF th
Mississippi itself in its journey to Tn
ocean. The days selected are set apart b!
the management for the purpose Of Civ
ing the people an opportunity to expires
their views in regard to this vital subject
IL is hoped that the people in the valley
in numbers commensurate with the i'm
portance of the objects concerned, will b
present on that memorable occasion. Tn
president of the United States, and mem
bers of his cabinet; members of the Unite,
States senate, and house of representa-
tives, governors Of states and mayors o
cities, are respectfully invited to be pres
cnt and participate in this celebration.
BY order of the executive committee
D. 3. WOOD President,
GEO. L. WRIGHT, Secretary.