New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-09-05
TRANSPORTATION BY WATER,
IMPROVEMENTS OF RIVERS DEMANDED.
WHAT is ASKED OF THE GOVERNMENT CONCERNING
THE MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI.

WHAT is ASKED OF THE GOVERNMENT CONCERNING
THE MISSISSIPPI AND MISSOURI.
ST. PAUL, Sept. 4.-The waterways conven-
ton was called to order at 10 M Mr. Chase Of Omaha
said that So00o00o0 were lying idle in the Treasury
the great Northwest has paid good part and
wanted to share Its benefits In the way OF improved
waterways He protested that there was no hostility
intended to the railroads
Ignatius Donnely stated that the convention
organized raid the Treasury Of the United statcs
What want continued the speaker Is cheap trans
portaon by waterways and II do not get there
VIII be revolution In this country. The railroads have
taken possession the of this country
their emssaries present the floor Of this
vcDtion."
Senator Eustis. of Louisiana, assured the members
that they would find the South ready and anxious 10 ou
with the North in securing the betterment OF tho water
ways and pledged himself to voice the sentiments Of the
convention In Congress. The convention also adj
by Congressman Murphy of Iowa. and Hatch Of
Missouri. and Governor Bross, Of Illinois.
W. H. Hatch, of the LIST Congressional District Of Mis-
souri, was invited to address the convention He said
that he came citizen of the Mississippi Valley NOT
In the interest of any special interest He had
made an appeal in behalf Of any scheme and had always
advocated for the general good In frtherng the
interests Of commerce. The people Of the Missssippf
Valley must receive what s due by right People in the
East have no idea Of the greatness Of the West The
West had been feeding the cow-the Yankee" milk.
ing her. He proposed toi turn the cow around.
The committee reported o series Of resou-
tons which were adopted These demand of the
Government the Immediate and comprehensive improves
ment of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and their
navigsbe tributaries to the fullest extent Of their n-
provabe capacity in order to safe and
channels of sufficient depth and breadth to afford at all
seasons OF the year ample facilities for the water
transportation Of tho production OF the Mississippi
Valley. They also ask that sufficient appropriations
be made give at least six feet of the Misss.
ain Dtxar fpnsa fair Eal1a Gf
the earliest practicable day. to make immediate ap
preparation for the amount necessary TO complete the
work, and favor continuing liberal appropriations py
Congress for the Improvement Of the Mississippi River
from Cairo Gulf The resolutions also recommend
the present and permanent improvement Of the naviga
ton of the Missouri River upon general and syste-
matte plan to prepare it for commerce oy
steamers and barges, and urge a policy Of
large and continuous appropriations by Congress-
Other features OF the resolutions foowss APP
.ne a' @ saat " Msrs D a9 yepss S
compilation Of the Hay Lake channel at the earliest
pratoIs OF the amounts for the preserves
ton OF the works. recommending an appropriation q
River OF North and the tributary adjacent aKes and
sITesms uTgng the early completion q the Fox ana
route Of water transportation between the Mississippi
and the great lakes recommending appropriations fof
pewa River n the State Of Wisconsn and the It. eros
that an annual appropriation Of s250OOOoO be mad1
for the Improvement Of the rivers and harDors Of tAs
United States.
The Government asked appoint upon the Ms
souri, River Commission engineers and civilians living
upon and Interested In the Improvement OF the Missouri
River, and whose other interests not Incompatible
with their duties as commissioners The resolutioni
further demanded the enlargement Of the Illinois ana
Michigan Canal and the extension 9f the same by the
construction OF canal from the Illinois River at Hen
nepn the Mississippi River at Rock Island thereby
connecting the great lakes with the Upper Missssipp
and giving continuous line OF water transportation
from the Mississippi Valley 70 the Atlantic sea board
Judge Fry OF New-York addressed the convention OF
the Florida ship Canal. which the route by whIc1
the products should 70 foreign arts saving l6oe
miles and avoiding the dangers OF the Gulf Stream Tho
of losses by lack Of the canal Ia ten years had
been S76,0O0000, with so000,000 extra insurance
added The Mississippi valley the greatest feeder 70
BILE 70 the globe 1--WE told" be said
that the water system Is superseded by railway con.
structon and operation. They found canals so cheap
the United Kingdom that the government has bought ~
leased them ALL and operates them in connection Win
railways and IL works admirably In Belgium
the canals earned more than the ranroads.
Hollands canals nearly as numerous
her highways and earn srtae
fits He then reviewed the history OF canals declar.
ia the Florida Snip Canal would be the best Ia TUG
world. He asked how much II would cost lie said
SOS 600 600. more or less II by the Government more
anghter lie said that they had syndicate organized
In Europe who expected to cut IL through In eisheen
months"
memorial TO Congress adopted stating the arce
and population OF the Upper Mississippi and Missouri
Valleys the character OF the industries I'm which the
engaged the products and the great beneD0
that would result from perfccting the waterways.