Savannah morning news., 1885-09-05
TRANSPORTATION BY WATER.
Meeting OF the National Convention at
St Paul, MINI.


ST. PAUL. MINI, Sept. 4.-When the
National Waterwarp Convention met to-
day prayer was dispensed with. Mr.
Chase, of Omaha, stated that the resolu-
tfons which had been perfected would be
generally acceptable to the convention,
although they asked for liberal sppropria-
tons. There was, be said, $500, 600 900
lying Idle in the treasury. The great
North west had paid good part of this
sum, and wanted to share It's benefits in
the way of improved waterways. He pro-
tested that there was no hostility intend
ed TO railroads.
DoNNELLY RAISES A HOWL.
Ignatius Donnelly, ex-Congressman,
took the platform and said that the con-
vention was no organized raid on the
Treasury of the United States. He said
that the farmer had been advised to d.
versify his industries, but he would ad-
wise them to "raise u"
"What we want" continued Mr.. Don
nelly, 'ls cheap transportation by our
waterways, and If we do not get it there
will be revolution in this country. The
emissaries of the opposition to the water
ways are even present on the floor of this
convention"
Senator Eustis, of Louisiana, addressed
the convention. He assursd the mem
bers that they would find the South
ready and anxious TO Join with the North
in securing a betterment Of the water
ways, and pledged himself to voice the
sentiments of the convention in Congress.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
The resolutions reported by the COM
mlttees and adopted by the convention are
very long and mprehensive. Among
them are the following;
ResoJUed, That we favor any meritorious
project for Increased water transporting
facilities by which the general interests of
the whole country may be conserved, and we
commend liberal policy in this regard o the
careful consideration and intelligent support
of Congress. but we deem immediate and
perm anent Improvement OF the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers and their navigahle
tributaries according TO some comprehensive
plan embracing the whole subject of para
m mt importance.
RssoLref, That the Mississippi river from
the falls of Saint Anthony To the Gulf of
Mexico is the great natural highway for the
commerce of the West, and the distance be-
tween said falls and the mouth OF the Ohio
river being more than half tho distance Of the
pavigable water Of said river.
Resolged, That sufficient appropriations
should be made to give a. least feet of water
In the Mississippi river from Cairo 70 the falls
OF Saint Anthony at the earliest practicable
day, and that we urge upon Congress that an
blhit appropriation DC HWit OF luS
amount necessary to complete said work, aud
we also favor continui z liberal appropria-
tons by Congress for the Improvement OF the
Mlssissippl river from Cairo to the gulf
Resotoed, That appropriations should be
made by Congress for the Improvement of the
"avigption OF the Mississippi river 20 Ghe nav
gable sources thereof. in accordance with
the recommenda ion OF the government eng-
neers: and we recommend TO Congress care
full cons deratiOn OF the report Of the resident
engineers TO the War Department on the res
ervolr system Of the upper Mississippi.
The other resolutions favor in like
manner the Improvement OF the Missouri,
Illinois, Ohio, and other tributaries Of the
Mississippk ana also the completion of the
Hennepln canal.
Judge Frye, of New York, addressed
the convention on the Florida ship canal.
which WAS the route by which products
should go to foreign marts, saving 1900
miles and avoiding the dangers of
Gulf streams. The amount of losses by
lack OF this canal in ten years bad been
seventy.tive millions with five million
dollars extra insurances added. He re-
viewed the history of canals, declaring
that the Florida ship canal would be the
best in the world. He was asked how
much il wonld cost. He said twenty-five
million dollars more or less--if by the gov
eminent more. Laughter. He said that
they had a syndicate organized in Europe
who expected TO cut it through in eigh-
teen months. He favored the Mississippi
as God had made it the greatest natural
water way in the world. The Hennepln
canal was good thing and badly needed.