Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-01-19
THE RIVERS INTERESTS.
The Dubuque Convention Shows the
Mississippi's Needs.
n Permanent Organization Perfected
and Resolutions AdOpted--L Large Ap-
prIatIOns Urged.

DUBUQUE, Iowa, Jan. The mornN
ing session of the river convention was
devoted to discussion of the report of
the committee on resolutions, which was
presented when the convention reassemS
bed. This report is quite exhaustive
After referring to the failure of congress
to provide sufficient funds for the proper
improvement of the upper river. and re-
viewing the vast interests suffering in
consequence, it resolves that upon all the
produce of the northwest there is levied
every year direct and ruinOus tax by
way of increased freight rates, large in>
surance, damage, wrecks and repairs
caused by sandbars, snags and other OBJ
stacles TO safe navigation; that the fail
ure of congress to make regular and AIDES
quate appropriations for the Mississippi
river meets with the earnest disapproval
of the convention, and that congress,
is invoked to afford relief at the pres,
ent session, that all river and harbor
works undertaken by the govern.
ment should be considered as business
enterprises, in which the amount cxpend
ed and the value Of the Improvements
should be measured by the saving which
will result to commerce and the general
public. Upon this basis all money heres
tofore expended has been many times re.
paid. and these largely increased appro~
priatIons are justified that the work Of
the engineering department is heartily
Endorsed, and that the recommendations
are entitled to the highest consideration
of congress; that the suggestion of Major
Mackenze's corps of engineers in regard
to appropriations at one time sufficient to
| cover the wants of a period of years is
Endorsed; that the subject of the improves
of the Rock Island rapids extending from
LeClaire to Davenport is a matter of vital
importance in the future improvement of
the upper river: that the proposed plan
for improving the rapids by means of a
lateral canal around them from Rapids
City to Rock Island is approved, and that
its careful consideration by congress is
especially urged; that the placing Of
lighthouses along the rapids to define the
channel and the extension of the snag and
dredge boat service be recommended.
Considerable discussion was provoked
by that portion of the resolutions REFER
ing to the LIE Claire canal. The opinion
that general and not specific recommcn,
dations be advanced prevailed, and the
controverted section was stricken out In
its place f. NJ. Dickey, of Dubuque, SUBJ
mitted resolution asking congress to
secure the improvement of the rapids, but
without suggesting or advocating any
particular plan. This resolution was
adopted, The chairman was empowered
TO appoint committee, consisting of two
members from each state, to devise plans
for the formation of permanent upper
Mississippi river improvement league.
The following appointments were made:
81. Louis. J. II. Stout, Philip NJ. Grape;
Illinois, G e. Cox, G. E. Deere; Wiscon-
sin. John Paul, David Austin; Minnesota.
il. w. Bakely, s. Nansant; Missouri NJ
j. Murphy, George Balm.
The convention then adjourned with
out date After the adjournment the
steamboat captains and owners of boats
to the number of fifty met for the pur-
pose of forming a permanent organiza.
ton, the result being the appointment of
the following executive committee, EN-
powered to perfect formal organization:
E. NJ. Dickey. Dubuque; ]. II. Stout,
St. Louis; s. Vansant. Winona; l.
Methundy, St. Louis; w. J. Young, Jr.,
Clinton; J. Buisson, Wabasha; E, V.
Smalley, Minneapolis; d. A. Mcdonald,
Lacrosse.