St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-10-04
WANT DEEP HARBOR.
Action of the Convention at Kan
SaS CITY,

TOPEKA, Kan, Oct. 3.-When the
deep harbOr convention met to-day eX-
Gov. Hubbard, the Texas vice president,
was in the chair. The rules we're sus-
pended, and the committee on resoIu-
tons made its report as follows:
Whereas. The general welfare of our coun-
try. in so far as it relates to nayigable rivers,
harbors and commerce, is committed by the
constitution OF the United States TO the ex-
elusive charge of the congress; and,
Whereas. The cheap transportation of our
commercial products constitutes one OF the
most important elements OF the general wei
fare; and,
Whereas. The congress has donated to
private corporations more than 500. 600, 0oO
of money ana upwards OF 2b0,oOo-OOO acres
of our national laud with which TO construct
artificial and therefore much more expen-
siye highways, owned by private individuals.
while they have neglected TO make adequate
appropriation for 6yen one possible harDof
on the northwest coast of the Gulf of Mexico,
which would not only afford very much
cheaper transportation. but which, by our
organic law, is under the exclusive care ana
control of congress; and,
Whereas. The vast and rapidly developing
area lying west Of the Mississippi river, COM
prising more than three-tifths of the national
domain and yielding more than ene-half OF
the agricultural meat and mineral products
or the entire country, IS by this neglect
forced to transport its commerce across the
con tinent by way of these artificial and ex-
penSive highways, subject to such exactons
of private eupidIty as amounts always to a
serions burden and sometimes total Inter
dictiOn to both consumer and producer; and.
Whereas, There can tie no Justification OF
this discrimination III favor of private high
WAYS, which, during the last year, cost the
commerce of the West an enormous loss IN
transportation expenses, estimated aI more
than Sl20, 100000 or upwards Of SlO,UO0,
geo per month; therefore,
Resolved, That in reathrmance of the Den
yer convention, and of the committees or
gauized Hereunder, it is the sense of this
convention that it is the duty Of congress to
appropriate permanently and for immediate
use whatever amount is necessary to secure
a deep-water port on the northwest coast of
the Gulf of Mexico, west of the 93d degree,
west longitude, capable of admitting the
largest vessels. and at which the best and
most accessible harbOr can be secured and
maintained in the shortest possible time. and
at the least cost the time, place and cost TO
be ascertained from the board of engineers
appointed under an act OF congress, passed
at its last session
Resolved, Further, that this convention In
behalf of the peopleit represents. thanks the
congress of the United States for the prompt
and satisfactory action heretofore taken in
recognition of the request of the Denver
deep harbor convention.
A minority report was presented by
Watt, of Louisiana, favoring the eS-
adjustment of three gulf harbers, one
of them to be on the coast of Louisiana.
After considerable discussion the ma
jority report was adopted and the con-
yentiOn adjourned sine die.