St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-09-04
The Routine Report.

The Routine Report.
1t was about 1870 o'clock when Gov.
Hubbard ascended the steps of the platform
with some Of the honored visitors of the
occasion. These were increased shortly
| afterWard by the governors invitation for
all governors, congressman, senators and
army officers to take seats on the platform.
To this request there was but little demur,
although Congressman Ward of Chicago
stated that, being sitting delegate in the
convention, he conceived it his duty to sit
with his delegation rather than on the plat
form. He made this explanation to exon
crate himself from any charge Of discour-
tesy for not complying with the invitation.
Gov. Hubbard said he hoped that the
gentlemen named would take their seats on
the platform for the present, or until the
preliminarieS were over.
When things were arranged to the gov
ernOrS satisfaction, he invited the attention
of the convention, while Rev. DR.. Dana Of
st. Paul addressed the throne Of grace.
The prayer being over, delegate from
Illinois addressed the chair and began an
euICgy on the life and services of Judge
Phillips, the chairman of the Missouri rail-
road commission. The cold sweat began to
run from several brows, for it was feared
that the speaker was going to nominate the
subject of his remarks for chairman, but,
very much to everybOdy's relief, he ended
his obituary notice by expressing the hope
that the convention would invite Judge
| Phillips to the platform, which was done.
Then convention then listened to
GOV. HUBBARD's ADDRESS:
Gentlemen: 1t is hardly necessary for
me to state to you the objects Of this con-
vention. The call under which you have
assembled sufficiently indicates, think, the
purpose for which you have been invited
here as well as the eXigency that inspired
this action in behalf Of the waterways of the
| Northwest. You have come here doubtless,
with an intelligent appreciation of the object
sought to be accomplished by an interchange
of opinion and a united and emphatic
expression of judgment upon the needs, the
rights and the demands of this great pro-
ducing heart of the continent, for ap-
propriate national recognition OF its vast
commercial interests. The manner in which
you have responded to the call for this con-
vention indicates that our people were not
mistaken in their faith that Illinois, Mis-
souri,, Iowa, Kansas, Wisconsin, Nebraska,
Dakota and Montana are heartily in accord
with Minnesota in the Judgment that con-
gresS has been slow to realize the great i'm
pOrtance of the natural waterways of the
vast area covered by the states and terrific
rieS | have named and that the time had
come to make demand in their behalf in
form to challenge attention.
THE GROWTH WITHIN THIS AREA
in population and its corresponding CONNER
cial development i'll recent years, have
made the question Of the improvement of
its waterways one OF national prominence
and Importance. The consumer of the
| JToc onI South hoe iyfa in,
with the producer of the West in reducing
to the minimum the cost of transportation
of the food products OF the country, and the
cheap distribution in turn Of the manufact-
ured goods Of the East is of interest to the
producer and consumer alike. 1t is not,
therefore, merely selfish or sectional cOnSid-
eratiOnS that prompt us to speak at this
time in their behalf.
1t is probably not necessary for me to
say that the call for this convention orig
mated in no feeling of hostility to any in
terest that has hitherto received or has fu-
ture hope Of national aid for its develop
ment. 1t is not our purpose or desire here
to antagoniZe the policy of other sections of
the country for the improvement of their
rivers and harborS.
WE WISH, RATHER, TO COOPERATE
with them, upon an equitable basis. for the
| VI OuI uluIldl Interests III UIlaC
regard. We would encourage them in every
honest effort to develop the possibilities
with which nature has endowed them, and
rejoice with them in the resultant prosper
ity to their people, but we ask for cores
pOnding consideration for interests
that are vital to ourselves We are
here to record our earnest protest
against that discrimination which has
heretofore characterized, to a great extent,
the legislation of the country in its appro-
priations for rivers and harbors The
nine great states and territories represented
in this convention have over seven thou
sand miles of navigable waterways, and,
, although producing the greater part of the
food supplies of the country, it has hereto
fore received but an inconsderable share of
congressional appropriations made for the
improvement Of the waterways of the coun-
| try. We feel that the merits and magni-
tude of our interests in this regard
ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY UNDERSTOOD.
We do not believe that the country at
large has due appreciation of the import
ance and significance of this matter.
Clearly it is the duty of this convention to
make such a presentation of this question
| as shall command the attention of the coun-
try and invoke the prompt consideration of
the government.
thank you gentlemen, in the name of
the people of Minnesota, whose interests
are thoroughly identified with yours in this
work, for the earnest and hearty manner in
which you have responded to the call for
this convention, and in their behalf [ bid
you cordial welcome to our state That
your action here will result in greatly pro-
noting the interests that will be submitted
for your consideration is their earnest be-
lief, and for your efforts in that behalf. 1
bespeak for you their profound apprecia-
ton.
THE MAYORS WELCOME.
When the governor had concluded and
the subsequent applause had subsidized,
Mayor Rice stepped to the front and, being
introduced by the governor spoke as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen of the Northwestern Water
ways Convention: On behalf of the peo-
pie and authorities of st. Paul gladly ex-
tend to you a warm and kindly welcome.
: