St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-19
Agricultural and Manufacture
ing Interests Cry to Con-
greSs for Aid.
A Permanent Upper Missis-
( sippi Improvement League
: to be Formed.
The Steamboat Men Make
Preparations for a Formal
Organization.
Special to the Globe.

regular session. The committee on res
Olutions submitted the following:
Resolved, That the failure of the ma
ti0nal government to provide appropri-
atiOns for the improvement or the Mis-
sissippi river, has deprived the upper
Mississippi valley of a cheap and safe
water route to the sea for its produce,
and failed to secure for the producer
and manufacturer the full benefit of his
labor; and
Whereas, There now exists an impe r
alive necessity for congress to take
prompt action for the relief of all the
interests involved, this convention has
been assembled to suggest such meas
ureS as may seem necessary to avert
the dangers threatening the agricul-
tural and manufacturing interests of the
states bordering on the upper MiSsiS-
sippi whose prosperity largely de-
ponds upon the Improvement of the
Mississippi river, and to prevent, if pos
sible, the continuance of such inaction
and to urge that the necessity for such
improvements be no longer ignored. and
that every consideration of public
policy demands that prompt action and
effective measures be employed by the
general government; therefore be it
Resolved, First, that the improvement
interests which this con, ention has
assembled to consider, now. and have
been for years entitled to the earnest
consideration and
wATCHFUL CARE
of congress and the chief executive to
whom is entrusted by the constitution
and the laws passed pursuant to the adj
yancement of the general welfare.
Upon all the products of the Northwest
there is levied every year direct and
fnO INV Of
freights, large insurance, damages,
wrecks and repairs caused by
rocks, sand bars, snags and
other obstacles to the safe and
regular navigation of the Mississippi
river. No exercise of the power of CON
greSS OR of the executive privilege can
be more wise or just than the relief ex-
tended to the river commerce of the
country, and the varied interests which
support it, 10y removing promptly and
speedily all distractions to nayi-
CATION; that the failure to make
regular reg For and ma ADEQUATE appfoprIa
Mississippi river meets with the earnest
disapproyal of the convention and we
hereby invoke congress to take prompt
action during its present session upon
/ the measure to the end that ample time
be given for full scrutiny of its proviS-
ions when executive action is demanded;
that all river and harbOr works under
/ taken by the government should be con-
Sldered as business enterprises in which
/ the
/ VALUE OF THE IMPROVEMENT
OF the improvement and the amount of
money to be expended should be meas
ured by the saving which will result to
commerce and the general public.
Upon this basis the money heretofore
expended upon the improvement
of the upper Mississippi river
has been already many times
repaid and largely increased appropria-
tons are justified. The work already
carried out by the government has
rendered navigation of the upper Mis-
siSsippi possible during the past two
seasons of extreme low water and has
saved many times it's costin the reduced
rates of freight. due to river competi-
ton. Such saving shows that in the
improvement of the upper river, tho
people have good investment. The
system of improvements now being car
ried out is, in the judgment of this con-
ventiOn, the proper one, and is accom-
plishing desired results. Its cOntinu-
ance under liberal appropriations would
soon give safe and permanent
channel Of sufficient depth to meet
the demands of commerce. We
heartily endorse the work of
the engineering department in charge
of the river improvements between the
falls Of st. Anthony and the Des MoineS
rapids, and consider the recommends
tons entitled to the highest considera-
ton of congress. We particularly APP
prove of the suggestions of Maj. Mac
Kennels corps of engineers in regard to
appropriations being made by congress
sufficient to cover the work of several
years, for the reason that such action
will permit of a
MORE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
and such systematic work as will show
better results than can possibly be Oh
tanned by appropriations for one year
only.
Resolved, That the subject of the i'm
provement of the Rock Island rapids,
extending from Leclaire to Davenport,
To-, is matter of vital Importance in
the future Improvement of the Upper
Mississippi, and that the projected plan
of improvement of the same by the con-
structiOn of lateral canal around the
rapids from Rapid City to Rock Island,
Ill.,, and Davenport, To-, is deserving, of
careful examination and consideration
as means OF such improvement and
that this convention earnestly recon-
mend to congress and the department
having the charge of the upper MissiS-
sippi improvement its careful eXamina-
ton and consideration.
Resolved, That we recognize the
benefits which have resulted to the
navigation of the Mississippi river from
the adoption of the light house system,
and we recommend the placing of buoy
lights to define the channel through the
Rock Island rapids. We also recognize
the value of the snag and dredge boat
service, and we ask that these systems
be extended and appropriation be an
-nually made to insure their efficiency.
A DEBATE.
That part of the resolution referring
/ to the LIE Claire canal caused consider
able discussion. The opinion that the
convention should make general and not
specific recommendations was adj
vanced, and the necessity and utility of
the canal were arguments used by those
who urged the recommendation of the
Improvement. Being put to vote, the
question was decided by the striking
out of the controverted section. E. M.
Dickey then offered the following,
which, though. different in wording, IS
substantially the same in sense as the
rejected section:
r. Resolved, That the attention of
congress be called to the deficiency of
the present channel across the Rock
Island rapids. 1t is too shallow and too
narrow. 1t is not nayigable at night.
/ The engineering department should be
called upon to investigate into the best
methods of supplying the necessary i'm
provements and of extending the pres
ent system OF improvements or the con-
struction of canal, as may be deemed
best.
A LEAGUE.
Before adjournment the chairman
was empowered to appoint committee
consisting of two members from each
state, who are devise plans for the form
alton of permanent Upper Mississippi
River improvement League. The chair
amendments were as follows.