The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1885-09-10

exclamation an unprecedented observer
connot fail to make when he beholds the
people Sin convention assembled" for
the purpose of remedying some evil or
securing some right. The right to
peacefully assembleand petition govern
ment" has been construed as mandatory,
and the average American thinks when
he has exercised his right to petition he
has secured everything asked for.
Micawber never discharged debt by
''note OF hand" more effectually.
The waterways convention at st. Paul
was an immense humbug, though the
delegates, with but few exceptions, felt
they had discharged very important
duty which will bear rich fruitage of
appropriations when the "proper time"
comes. A set of resolutions was passed
embodying the same old ideas which
congressional candidates with a constitu-
ency somewhat crazed on waterways, an
nounced from the stump. The cumber-
some machinery set in motion to evolve
these resolutions was somewhat amusing
for its grotesque similarity to the Daodus
opera,adi of national political conven-
tons. A temporary organization; APP
pointment of committees on every con-
ceivable question; half days debate on
the manner of voting; speeches beyond
number and without sense, and all the
chaff containing the one little kernel of
substance: "All in favor of the resolu-
tons as reported, say aye" followed by
a chorus of "ayes'' and vociferous ap-
pause oyer result which had it been
different might we'll occasion surprise.
A convention of farmers without the
least knowledge of parliamentary prac-
tice, knowing what "they were there for"
could do up the work of the North West
ern Waterways convention in two hours;
the language Of the resolutions might
not be so ornate, but the subject matter
could not well be more absurd.
The convention practically "asked for
the earth and place to put it," And it
really acted as if it felt congress would
give some heed to the dreary platitudes
which have perennial birth. Everything
is to be done instanter for every stream
ii the north west, from the snow capped
mountains of Montana to the deltaed
mouth of the Mississippi. There is to
be no delay about it. Even the prairies
of Illinois are to be cut up by artificial
channels SO that the old dream which led
the fanatics of the middle ages to life
times of unrequited labor might be real
lied. The lunacy of northwest passage
survives, despite the teachings of com
merce and the advance of science. Ex-
perience is defied and the knowledge that
the lines of traffic run with the parallels
ignored. Aspirants for congressional
honors keep alive the phantasy of i'm
proVement of water courses for the ben
etits of trade, and orators of the Jere
Murphy stripe with an itching for pop
ular subject for the exhibition of their
eloquence, expatiate with lingering fond
ness on the importance of artificial wat
erways.
The resolutions to which the conven-
ton gave birth will not have feather
weight with congress, and ought not
have. A convention called for the pur-
pose Of taking steps to curb the danger
Gus power of railroads in legislative and
judicial matters would have public senti-
ment behind it and purpose capable of
realization for its justification. Such a
convention would voice the popular wish
and congress would not dare to ignore is
demands. Donnelly was the only man
in the convention who saw this clearly,
but the delegates had for the time cast
reason aside and he was unheeded.