Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-12-24
WESTERN WATERWAYS.

An Important Convention at Kansas City
in the Interest of Improving Western
Rivers.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Dec. 16.-The Mis-
souri, river improvement convention
was called to order at the Coates house
at 1880 yesterday morning by President
Putnam, of the Commercial club, who
nominated Hon. T. D. Thacher, of To-
peka, Kan, for temporary chairman, in
the absence of Gov. Francis, who had
been selected but was absent Messrs.
Putnam and Thacher each delivered
stirring addresses upon the Importance
of improving the Missouri and other
rivers of the west. The convention is
largely attended by delegates from
western and southwestern states. After
the preliminary organization and sew
eral addresses the convention took a
recess
At the afternoon session officers were
chosen as follows:
Permanent chairman, Gov. John NJ.
Thayer, of Nebraska; permanent secre-
tary, w. II. Miller, of Kansas City; as
sistant secretaries, viii T. Walker of
Kansas City, Kan, c. B. Carroll of East
st. Louis and w. K. Ford, of Platts-
mouth, Neb.; vice-presidents, Champion
s. Chase of Omaha, Judge Francis of
North Dakota, w. A. Everman of Mis-
sissippi, B. F. King OF Missouri, Capt
Hickman of Missouri, j. 81. Rice of
Kansas, E. C. Palmer of Iowa, T. w.
Halliday of Iowa, D. 81. Henry of South
Dakota, E. S. billiard of Arkansas and
C. B. Bryan of Tennessee.
On motion of Col. j. NJ. Hall, of Mis-
| souri,, the chair appointed Messrs. Hall,
of Missouri, C. S. Chase, of Nebraska,
and j. III. Rice, of Kansas, committee
to conduct Gov. Thayer to the chair.
Gov. Thayer expressed his thanks for
the honor conferred upon him in a few
we'll chosen words. He said it was the
duty of people to improve the land
in which they lived. The west knew
and realized that the vast power of the
Missouri river was going to waste. The
present condition Of the river showed
that the government had neglected it's
duty. The time had come for the west by
united effort to secure recognition from
congress. The whole country would be
| benefited by the improvement. He was
believer in internal improvements
Under the system the nation had grown
great. He wanted all waterways i'm
proved and above all he wanted the
Missouri made the channel of commerce
that God and nature had intended. He
| complimented the Commercial club on
taking the initiative in the great step
and then asked the convention its
pleasure in the conduct of it's business.
| The delegates all seemed loaded with
resolutions and were popping up on all
sides of the hall to present them when
a motion to permit the committee on
resolutions to retire with the resolu-
lions that had been offered started quite
a debate. Gen. Rice thought the COM
mittee should wait until evening so that
| all the resolutions would be in. The
Nebraska delegation was a unit for per-
hitting the committee to retire and GO
to work and Mr.. Chase spoke earnestly
for it, arguing that the work was most
important and should be given plenty
| of time.
| Gen. Rice interrupted the discussion
to submit a report from the executive
committee upon permanent organiza-
ton of Missouri river improvement
association. The committee reported
in favor of such a plan and submitted
bylaws and rules to govern the associ-
alton.
Mr.. Gates, of Tennessee, moved that
| the report be referred to special com.
mittee of eight.
| Before this motion was recorded a
vote was taken on the motion to allow
| the committee on resolutions to retire,
which passed unanimously.
The rest of the proceedings until ad.
journment was of a trifing nature, the
| convention waiting the report of COM
| mitteeS