River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-09-10
THE RIVER CONVENTION AT ST. PAU

II + * 4
The convention called by Gov. Hubbard
of Minnesota, to consider the question of
improving the Northwestern waterways,
began its session at St Paul on the Bird inst.
Addresses were delivered at the opening by
Gov. Hubbard ard Mayor Rice, and
ex-,foy. VIM. Bross of Chicago was chosen
temporary chairman. There was quite a
contest relative to the formation of the
committee on resolution, aud the following
were finally selected:
MINES ota-J. s. Pillsbury, o. P. Stearns,
Kansas-John Arthur, c. E. Clifford D.
A MilIingtou.
Iowa-T F. Parker, f. r. Boulter, E. Nj.
Dickey.
Missouri-E A Stannard, n. Cole, II. NJ.
Dakota-W H H. Beaddle, j. H. King,
G. A Morton.
Wisconsin Richard Guenther, ?. V.
Deuster, W. 7. Price.
Nebraska-ChampiOn 5. Chase, A. j.
SAWYER, L. NJ. Carroll.
Illinois-r j. Henderson, W. j. Haynes,
j. NJ. Beardsley.
When the committee on permanent
organization reported, the following were
named as officers:
President-Maj William Warner, Kan
First Vice President G. W. Jones
Iowa,
Honorary Vice Presidents-Iowa, p. G
Baliingall, c. NJ. Miller, Senator Miles; Da
l5Ota Johnson Nickeus, A. BOyntOn, ). ;
Loekhart: Minnesota, Mark II. Dunnell, K
/ W. Durant, =. G.. Comstock; Wisconsin
Lucius Fairchild, ID. a. Mcdonald, Q. H
Ingram; Kansas, d. A MIllington, J. d,
Barker. G. f, Clifford; Missouri, j. g. Wear
FL n Phillips, James McClane; Montana
Martin Maginnis; Illinois, II. A. Candel
/ George II. Ritchey, W. H. Crocker.
/ Secretary-Platt b. Walker of Minneap
oils.
Assistant Secretaries-F. A Fitzpatrick
Kansas: Pitt Bartlett, Wisconsin; J. F
/ Wright Illinois
inois.
/ The selection of permanent chairman
placed Gov Bross in an embarrassing pc
sition. Having been notified that he was tC
! be permanent as we'll as temporary chair
man. be had prepared a speech and supplied
advance copies to the associated press. He
was accordingly allowed to fire off his
speech which began by returning thanks
forthe honor of being selected chairman.
The following resolutions were adopted
Whereas. In order to secure to the pro
+ ducers in all parts of the country the highes
possible return for their products and the
most favorable exchange of the same anC
our proper relations to the conditions o
foreign markets, it is essential that thu
. cost of transportation be reduced 10 th'
minimum; therefore,
I Resolved That the immediate and com
prehensive improvement of the Mississippi
and Missouri rivers and their navlgaOI'
IL al 80 f fHnF,
improbable capacity, in order TO secure
+ safe. permanent and reliable channels o.
sufficient depth and breadth, to afford at al
seasons of the year ample facilities Tor thE
water transportation of the immense pro
duets of the Mississippi valley, is demanded
Of the government Of the United States by
very consideration of commercial, agrl
/ cultural and social advancement, and by
Justice, and an enlightened policy of pro
noting the prosperity aud defense OF the
nation.
Resolved. That we favor any meritoriou:
project for inceased water transportation
facilities bv which the general interests o.
the whole country may be conserved, ant
we commend a liberal policy in this ragarC
to the careful consideration and Intelligent
support OF congress; but we deem the i'm
mediate and permanent Improvement o.
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers aud thell
navigable tributaries, according to sons
comprehensive plan, embracing the whole
subject. OF paramount Importance
Resolved That the Mississippi river
from the Falls of ST. Anthony to the Gul
of Mexico, is the great national highway
for the commerce of the West; and the dis
lance between the said falls and the moutl
of the Ohio river being more than half thu
distance of the naYIEable water OF sac
river.
Resolved, that sufficient appropriation
should be made to give at least six feet o
water in the Mississippi river from Cairo
10 the Falls of st. Anthony at the carries
practicable day. and that we urge upon
congress that an immediate appropriation
he made for the amount necessary to com
ulete the work aud we also favor con
tinued liberal appropriations by congress
for the Improvement OF the MISSISSIPPI
river from Cairo to the Gulf.
Resolved. That appropriations should b.
mad. ky congress for the Improvement o
navigation of the Mississippi 10 the navlga
bic sources thereof, in accordance with tn
recommendation of the government en-
. giueers and we commend To congress TIT
careful consideration OF the report Of tn
resident engineers 10 the war department o
the reservoir system OF the upper MisslsSlp
Whereas. The Missouri river, one OF tn
largest and longest rivers in the world, VA
tpring an agricultural and mineral country
unsurpassed in wealth. its borders popula
ted bv over six million people, yet neve
having received a direct appropriation from
the national government for Its general I'M
proverlent prior TO the Forty seventh con
gress, therefore be 1t
Resolved, That Nc earnestly recommend
and urge the present and permanent i'm
movement of the navigation OF the Mis-
souri, river upon general and SYST matt
plan TO prepare it fer commerce by steam
ers aud barges, and we urge a policy O
large and continuous appropriations by
congress therefor We further recommen,
that the improvements carried forward b.
distinct and separate measure, and IN no
less than five divisions Of the river, and IN
der United States engineers and civilian
resident therein, with equal application o
appropriation to the several divisions; an'