St. Paul daily globe., 1885-04-28

A Convention to be Called TO Con.
slider the Interests of the
Upper Mississippi.

Upper Mississippi.
The board of directors of the chamber Of
commerce held their regular meeting yes
terday morning.
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Mr.. McClung offered the following pre-
amble and resolution:
Whereas, The Mississippi river is the
great national highway, and it is a matter
of national Importance to utilize it from the
head of navigation to the gulf; and
Whereas, Comparatively nothing is
being done adequate to the necessities of
the case to improve the river above st.
Louis, and the bulk of the appropriations
go to the gulf end of the river;
Resolved, That the chamber respectfully
requests the governor of Minnesota to call
a Northwestern river convention, to meet at
st. Paul in August or September next and
to invite the governors of all Northwestern
states and territories to unite in such a
call.
Resolved further, That the committee on
Mississippi river confer with the governor
and make the necessary arrangements for
the success of said convention.
In support of the resolution Mr.. MeClung
urged that the Northwest ought to make a
Minnesota to st. Louis to urge the improve
ment of the river from the head of naviga-
ton down, and make thorough work of it.
Mr.. Fairchlld sustained the resolutions
and said that we could not get at this work
too soon, and proposed cutting loose from
the southern part of the river and forming
a Northwestern organization.
Capt. Blakeley was opposed to separating
the interests of the Northwest from the
Southwest. We must interest all the people
along the whole length of the river.
Mr.. McClung urged that we ought not to
delay but ought to crowd the work right
along and insist upon having something
done Immediately. Referring to the work
of the committee on the Mississippi river
Mr.. McClung said nothing had been done
by it.
Capt. Blakeley declared that he would not
sit in the chamber and hear the committee
aSpersed and charged with doing nothing.
1t was not true, and in saying so Mr.. Me
Chung showed he did not know what
he was talking about, that he was ignorant
of the subject under consideration and of
what had been done. Capt. Blakeley then
proceeded to state that 80, 900, 600 had been
expended for the improvement of the river
between st. Paul and Des Moines. He also
gave brief history of the conventions and
meetings that had been held at Washington
and other places, and what they had accom-
plished.
Mr.. Merrill argued that the whole valley
of the Mississippi ought to be united and
that under no circumstances ought their in
tereSts to be divided.
Mr.. McClung defended himself in regard
to what Capt Blakeley said. and on a vote
being taken the whole matter was referred
to the committee on the Mississippi river.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Mr.. p. II. Kelly declined to act as dele
gate to attend the opening Of the board of
trade at Chicago, and James III. Drake was
appointed to till the vacancy.
The several proposed amendments to the
bylaws Were laid over again.
On motion of Mr.. MeClung. Messrs. San
born. McClung Drake. Delano and NicOls
were appointed a committee 10 confer with
railroad officials as to better. more frequent
and cheaper facilities for communication
with White Bear lake.
The president appointed MeSsrs, Drake
and Morton as committee on reception to
attend TO the railroad conductors that are
coming here neXt month.