The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-09-18
wATSkwAYs coNvENrIoS.
Nearly q Thousand Delegates Present
from tho States of tho Northwest-Pro-
ceedings of the Convention.

VERY iaTEeiy aSIfnued. CreuentlalS were
presented fully !a25 persons from Minneso-
ia, Montana, Illinois. Missouri, Wisconsin,
Kansas, Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa.
Minnesota sent 366 delegates. There were
many distinguished people present includ-
ing governors, congressman, etc, from the
states named. The convention was held
IN Commodore Davidson's skating rink,
which was elegantly decorated, the position
OF each delegate being designated ID u ban.
ncr, MS in national conventions. As the
delegates took their seats, it was noticed
that they were, as u whole, men OF mark.
The convention was called to order by
Governor Hubbard OF Minnesota, who, al
ter prayer by Rev. Dir. Dana, delivered an
address. The Mayor OF st. Paul, Hon.
edmund Rice, then welcomed the delegates
to the city
Hon. WIN. Bross OF Chicago was elected
temporary chairmanandC Z. G. Sturteyanto OF
Minneapolis temporary secretary. After
discussion q resolution WAS adopted: That
the committee on credentials, rules and or
ganization consist of two each, and the
committee on resolutions oithreee each from
the vnrions states and territories, the
members OF the committee to be chosen bv
the delegations and announced by their
chairmen.
lgnatius Donnelly secured the floor, and,
in spite of opposition, held it until he had
delivered an elaboratese series of resolutions,
which were referred 20 the committee on
resolutions.
The committee on credentials reported
the names OF EGG persons who were en-
titled ito seats.
While waiting for the committees to re-
port Congressman Murphy from Daven-
port, Iowa. made a speech, mostly in iavor
oil the Hcnnipin canal.
There was IL long discussion OF the re port
Of the committee on rules, which gave only
ten votes to each State and Territory.
The large delegation from Minnesota was
regarded MS dangerous to harmonious &c
ton and unjust 10 delegates from other
States. Finally that obnoxious rule was
stricken out, leaving every delegate u vote.
The committee on permanent organiza-
tion'then reported the following:
President-Maj. William Warner, Kan
sas City. Mo.
First Vice President-Gen. G. W. Zones,
Iowa.
Honorary Vice Presidents-Iowa, p. G..
Balingall, G.. NJ, Miller, Senator Miles;
Dakota, Johnson Nickens, A. Boynton, S.
8. Lockhart; Minnesota, Mark III. Dunnell,
+. w. Durant, S. G. Comstock; Wisconsin,
Lncius Fairchild, ID. A.. Mcdonald, O. H.
Ingrami Kansas, y. A. Millington, j. ID.
Barker, G. Il. Clifford; Missouri, j. G..
Wear, III. n. Phillips, james McClane;
Montana, Martin Maginnis; Illinois, II. A.
Sibttl, oeoTpH IL. ItitCUey, w. LIT
&Secretary-Platt B. Walker OF Minneap-
lis.
Assistant Secretaries-F A. Fitzpatrick,
Kansas; Pitt BARTLETT, Wisconsin; j. +.
Wright, Illinois.
Recording Clcrk-F. A. Crittenden, mli-
nois.
Major William Warner who is xpcongress-
man, and an excellent presiding officer,
made a short speech on taking the chair.
The report OF the committee on perma-
nent organization fell like u tliunderclap
upon the ear OF the temporary chairman.
i Mr., Bross took the earliest opportunity TO
rise to an explanation, and, after consider.
able beating around the BUSH it became
evident that the gentleman had been given
to understand that he was to be made
permanent chairman OF the convention,
and, i'll order to be well prepared for that
emergency, he had written out an elaborate
address OF acceptance which he held UP in
printed slips, with the remark that 10
copies had been distributed to the papers
OF the associated press. PRESIDENT Warner,
however, PLEASANTLY invited Gov. Bross to
read the address which was well received.
After adjournment the committee on reso.
ter midnight in hearing remarks, and in
e~ndeavoring to formulate material for &C
ton by the convention.
ttNI EF 4H AlHaEEE Eeera
On the opening OF the second days SEES.
sion the committee on resolutions were not
ready to report. They were in session for
some ten hours, all told. The different
delegations appeared and placed before
them large piles OF documents, call
ing Tor the improvements OF existing water.
ways OF the Northwest. All had n respect
iul hearing, and then the committee went
into secret session to slit out OF the mass
OF applications before them those measures
which alone possessed merit. "A sub-com.
mittee was appointed and was in session
during the entire forenoon. Therefore the
time vas spent by the convention in
listening to running debates and
speeches from Mayor Chase of Omaha.
lgnatius Donnelly, Senator Eustis O
Louisiana, Congressman Hatch OF No.
Gen. Carr OF Galesburg, ILL.,, etc. In the
afternoon, it was reported that the oom.
niittee on resolutions was prepared to re.
port, and w. H. Beadle of Dakota
stepped to the platform and read, In
a clear, ringing voice, the longiooked-fo,
resolutions, while everybody opened eyes,
ears and mouth to take them all in, The
resolutions were as follows:
Whereas, In order to secure to the pro.
ducers in all parts OF the country the high.
est possible return for their products and
the most favorable exchange OF the same
and our proper relations to the conditions
OF foreign markets, it is essential that the
cost OF the transportation be reduced to
the miiimum: therefore
Resolved. THAI the immediate and com.
prehensive improvement OF the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers and their navigable
tributaries to the fullest extent OF their i'm
proyabic capacity, in order to secure sale,
permanent and reliable channels OF sutli.
cient depth and breath to afford at all
seasons OF the year ample facilities for the
water transportation OF the immense pro.
duction OF the Mississippi VALLEY, is de.
mandcd of the government of the United
States by every consideration OF CONNER.
cal. agricultural and socia! advancement
andHhy Justice, and an enlightened policy OF
promoting the prosperity and defense oil
the nation.
Resolved, That wefavorany meritorious
project for increased water transportation
facilities by which the general interests o!
the whole country may be conserved. and
we commend u liberal policy in this regard
TO tine careful consideration and intelligent
support of,congress; but we deem the i'm.
mediate and permanent improvement oil
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers and
their nayigable tributaries, according to
some comprehensive plan. embracing the
whole subject, of paramount importance.
Resolved, That the Mississippi river,
from the Fails of st. Anthony to the Gulf
OF Mexico, is the great national highway
for the commerce of the West; and the
distance between the said falls and the
mouth of the Ohio river bein. more than
hal! the distance OF the navisable water OF
said river.
Resolved. That sufficient a~pprorpria-
tions should be made to give at least
SIX feet OF water in the Mississippi river
from Cairo to the Falls of st. Anthony
at the earliest practicable day, and that
we urge upon congress that an immedi-
ate appropriation be made for theamount
necessary to complete said work; and we
also Aforementioned liberal appropriations
by congress for the Improvement of the
mississippi from Cairo to the gulf.
Resolved, That appropriations should
be made by congress for the improvement
Of navigation Of the Mississippi to the nav
igable sources thereof. in accordance with