The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-10-10
D-ep H.rbor Convention.

ToPEKA. Kas., Sept 1t was 10
O'Clock when the deep harbor conven-
tiOn was called to order this morning
Ex-Governor Hubbard of Texas pre-
sided. Prayer was offered by Rev.
Smith of the Christian church of TOpe-
ka. The rules were suspended ON
motion of A. w. Houston of Texas
aud the report of the committee on
resolution Was read. The report IS as
follows:
Whereas, The general welfare of our
country in 81 ar as IL relates To havi-
gable rivers, haTbJrs and commerce, il
c,mmitt-d by the constitution of the
United STATES Ia the exclusive charge
Of congress; and,
Whereas. Cheap transportation of
our commercial products constitute
one OF the most important elemeuts of
the general welfaie q; and,
Whereas, Congress has donated to
private corporations more than one
hundred millions of money and up
waId> of two hundred millions OF acres
of our national lands with which to
construct artificial and therefore much
more expensive highways owned by
private individuals, while they have
neg ected TO make adequate appeopria
tions for even one feasible haTbor on
the northwest of the Gulf of Mexico,
which would not only at
ford very much cheaper trans
portation, but which by our
organic law IS under the exclusive care
and control of congress, and,
Whereas. The vast and rapidly de-
veloping area lying west of the Missis-
sippI river comprising more than three
dtthS OF the national domain and yield
ing larger, more than one-half of the
agricultural, meat and mineral pro-
ducts of the entire country, ia by this
neglect force to transport its COM
meTce across the continent by way of
these artificial and expensive high
ways, subject TO such eXactions of pri-
vate cupidlty as amounts always TO a
serious burden and sometimes tn total
Introduction TO both consumer and pro-
ducer, and,
Whereas, There can be no iustifica-
tion of this discrimination in favor of
private highways which during the last
year c0st the commerce of the west an
enormous loss in transportation eX-
pense. estimated at more than one
hundred and twenty millions of dol
lars. or upwards OF ten millions per
month. Therefore,,
Resolved, That in re-afIirmance of
the action of the Denver convention
and of the committees organized there
under, il Is the sense Of this conven-
tion that il is the duty of congress to
appropriate permanently, and for i'm
mediate use. whatever amount is nee
essary To secure deep water port on
the northwest coast of the Gulf of
Mexico, west Of the 93i degree of west
longitude, capable of admitting the
largest vessels, n d at which the best
and most acceptable haTbor can be Sc
cured and maintained in the shortest
possible time. and at the least cost
The time, place and cost to be aScer-
tanned from the board of engineers ap-
pointed under an act of congress
passed at it's lost session.
Resolved. further. That this conven.
ton. in behalf Of the people whom il
represents, thanks the congress of the
United States for the prompt and sat
isfactory action heretofore taken il
recogni ion OF the request of the Den
yer deep harbor convention"
A minority report was presented b,
Watt IF Louisiana tavoring the estab
liShment of three Gulf harbOrs, one OIL
the coast of Louisiana.
James + Legate. of Kansas, speak
ing Of the motion To adopt the re
port of the committee on resolution
objected to the continuance Of the pei
manent comittee appointed at Denver
SThere was nothing 10 warrant it an
moved as AN amendment To strike s
much of the report as referred to til
continuance Of the committee.
Huston OF Kansas compliments th
work of the committee and spoke /
favor of is continuance.
Anthony of Kansas moved as a
amendment the adoption OF the mil
ortiy report. The majority report,
said. assailed the government for e
taOlishing transportation lines in Ii
past adding that a pint of moldsses wI
better than a gallon of vinegar.
Gibbs Of Texas cOntended that til
minority report assailed the govern
ment and its engineers as ell as Il
action Of congress. The members
the permanent committee have had e
perience and should be continued.
Fishback Of Arkansas expressed su
prise that minority report should
presented in view OF the unanimol
action of the COMMITTEES and spoke