Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-10
ADJOURNED.
The Deep Water Convention Adopts Reso-
buttons and AdJourns-An Assessment
Made to Pay Expenses.


Made to Pay Expenses.
TOPEKA, Kan, Oct 4-The deep harbor
convention adjourned at noon yesterday
after a two hours session, which was the
liveliest of the week. Contrary to the
expectations Of many the Texas delegates
remained harmonious to the very last, but
Kansas threw a bomb into the convention
which, for time, threatened to DO much
damage. 1t was removed. however, be-
fore the fuse had burned down to the
exploding point and the convention
finally accomplished satisfactorily the
work cut out for it
There was barely quorum present when
the gavel fell yesterday morning. Chair
man Plumb had been called away on busi-
ness and Ex-Governor Hubbard, of Texas,
called the convention to order and pre-
sided throughout the session. Senator
Armstrong, of the committee on resolu-
tons, announced that the committee was
ready to report and read the following
resolutions, which were signed by all but
two members of the committee:
WHEREAS, The general welfare Of our coun-
try. in so far as it relates to navgable rivers,
| harbors and commerce. is committed by the
/ Constitution OF the United States to the ex-
elusive charge OF the Congress: and
WHEREAS, Cheap transportation OF our com
mercal products constitutes one OF the most
important elements Of the general welfare; and
WHEREAS, The Congress has donated to pri-
| vate corporations more than one hundred mil
| lions OF money and upwards Of two hundred
millions OF acres OF our National lands with
| which to construct artificial, and therefore
much more expensive highways owned by pri-
vate individuals, while they have neglected TO
make adequate appropriation for even one
| feasible harbOr 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
and control OF Congress; and
| WHEREAS, The vast and rapidly developing
| area lying west of the Mississippi river. COM
| prising more than three ffths OF the National
| domain, and yielding largely more than one
| half OF the agricultural meat and mineral
| products OF the entire country, is by this neg
\ lect forced 10 transport Its commerce across
the continent by way of these artificial and ex-
| pensve highways. subject TO such exactions Of
private cupidity as amounts always TO 4 serious
| burjen, and sometimes TO total Introduction TO
| both consumer and producer; and
| WHEREAS There can be no justification of
| this discrimination in favor OF public highways,
| which, during the last year cost the commerce
| OF the West enormous loss in transportation
| expense, estimated at more than one hundred
| and twenty millions Of dollars, or upwards OF
| ten millions per month, therefore,
ReSoiUed, That in reafirmance OF the action
| OF the Denver convention, and Of the COM
mittees organized hereunder, it is the sense
| OF this convention that it l. the duty of
Congress to appropriate permanently
and for immediate use, whatever
| amount is necessary to secure deepwater port
| on the northwest coast Of the gulf OF Mexico,
west OF the 93ss 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 posi-
| BILE time and at least cost; the time, place and
| cost to be ascertained from the board OF en-
| gineers appointed under an act OF Congress
| passed at its last session.
| ReSOtred further, That this convention in be-
half of the people it represents, thanks the Con-
| gress OF the United States for the prompt and
satisfactory action heretofore taken in recogni
| ton of the request OF the Denver deep harbor
| convention.
ResOLUed. That the thanks of this convention
| are due to the permanent committee appointed
| at the Denver deep harbor convention for their
| efficient action in the past, and said committee
| is hereby requested to continue earnestly in
| the work so well begun and said committee is
| instructed to present these resolutions to the
| President OF the United States, with the re-
| quest that he, in his annual message to Con-
| gress, recommend such appropriation as
may be reported necessary TO secure the per-
I
| which may be recommended by the report Of
| the board Of engineers.
| ResOlUsd That those States and Territories
| represented in this convention and not repre-
scented on the permanent committee shall have
| the privilege OF reporting TO the permanent
committee the names Of such members OF the
| committee as they may be entitled 10 under
| the basis of representation on which that COM
| mittee is constituted.
Then s. B. Watts, of Louisiana, Sc
cured recognition and presented min
ority report signed by himself and W. II.
Cline, of Texas, favoring the construction
of at least three harbors on the gulf coast
west of the Atchafalaya bay.
After long debate the majority report
was adopted amid great enthusiasm, and
| after resolution of thanks to the people
| of Topeka the convention adjourned.
In the afternoon the permanent deep
| harbor exc cutive committee held a session
at the board of trade rooms and made the
| following assessments to meet current
expenses: Texas, So. 500; Kansas 81, 900;
| Colorado. $1,000; Nebraska, $500; Mis-
souri,, $500; Iowa, $1,000; New Mexico,
$3.50; Arkansas, $3.50
| Changes were made in the members b p
of the committees as follows: Illinois
s. Thatcher, Jr., George F. Afford. A. j..
Streator. B. F. Fiey, J. b Clark. Nebraska
&C. S. Chase, H. Kountze H. NJ. Bushnell
Z. o. Goodell, j. Hull Louisiana-J. H.
Putnam, 7. w. Pool, Captain James Hine.
| Colorado-John Evans, Alva Adams, W.
]. Jackson, c. B. Kountze, NJ j. McNa-
mara Oklahoma--Sidney Clark, John D.
Miles, j. H. Foreman. Kansss-Howell
Jones, J. S Emery, H. Rice, James F..
Legate, G. w. Clements. Arkansas-A
| c. Morgan, R. S. Hughes.
The next meeting Of the committee will
be held at the port designated by the
board of engineers appointed to select a
suitable location for a harbor.