St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-09-02
A Thorough Interchange OF
Opinions at the Big Reci-
proeity Convention.
A Leading Manitoban Favors
an International Water
ways Commission,
With Free Tolls to the YES
sells Of Uncle Sam and the
Canadians.
st. Paul Men Take a Lively
Hand in the Proceedings
Of the Day.

nearly IL O'clock this morning when
President Clifford. of the chamber of
commerce, called the reciprocity con-
vention to order and welcomed the visi-
tors i'll brief but happy address. 1t
was with the greatest pleasure. he said,
that he welcomed the delegates. He
was pleased to notice so large and rep
resentative delegations from the mighty
twins at the head waters of the
Mississippi, the young giant cities
at the head of the lake, and other
cities. and especially that so many were
here from across the imaginary line,
1000 miles in extent, that separated us
from Canada. Although we came here
as representatives of two nations, we
hardly realize the objects that divide us,
and we are naturally interested in many
things in the discussion of which we
may meet on common grounds. 1t IS
but few years since this entire North
west was the
Home of the Indian
and Buffalo. and it is difficult for the
East to realize even now that it is not
wilderness. Our representatives at
Ottawa and Washington do not realize
the Importance of this portion of the
nations. This convention will result in
bringing the Northwest prominently to
their notice at least. George B. Win
ship nominated Hon. James Fisher, M.
Z. p, of Winnipeg, for temporary
chairman, and he was elected by accla-
nation. The chair appointed E.V. Small
ley, of St. Paul, and I. S. Estabrook. of
west Superior, to escort h,m to the
platform. Mr. Fisher. in taking the
chair, made a very happy, although
brief, speech, thanking the convention
for the honor. He had been from the
first greatly in favor of the convention,
and was i'll favor as far as possible OF
Building Up Trade
between Canada and the United States
and breaking down the barriers be-
tween us as far as consistent. The sub
Ject of transportation was one which
could be discussed with advantage by
the convention. We are chiefly an
agricultural people. Our chief draw
back is our distance from the markets,
from the distributing centerS and con-
sequent cost of transportation of our
products. Ii we CAN open the eyes of
the people to our needs in the way of
Improvement of waterways we shall
have accomplished much. This should
be the beginning OF a permanent
organization, which shall hold frequent
meetings lii various places for the same
object. On motion Of e. Y. SmalIey
the chair was authorized TO appoint
committees OF fifteen each on creden-
tials, order Of business, permanent or
ganiZation and resolutions. After va
-riouS delegations had reported the name
of one member from each organization.
as given first in the list of delegates. the
convention took a recess until p. III.
Afternoon Session.
The committee on credentials met
and organized by electing j. E. Morris
sey. of CrookSton, Mimi, chairman, and
q. Il. jacob, of Ardock, n. D., secre-
tary. The permanent organization re-
ported the following permanent officers,
and the report was unanimously adopt,
ed: President, Gov. Burke, North Da-
kota; vice presidents, James Fisher, NJ.
West Superior; E. V. Smalley, St.
Paul; A. B. Barton. Minneapolis:
Mayor Anglin, CrOokston; George B.
Clifford, Grand Forks; j. G. Ruther-
ford. Portage la Prairie, Man.; secre-
tary, ID. K, McGinnis; assistant secre-
taries, c. N. Bell, Winnipeg, and s. A.
Thompson. Duluth; treasurer, w. j.
Deane, Minneapolis. The president,
first vice president and secretary were
empowered to appoint an executive
committee of seven. Coy: Burke was
escorted to the chair by P H. Kelly. of
st. Paul; G. N. Bell, of Winnipeg, and
S. A. Thompson, of Duluth. After
thanking the convention for the honor.
the governor
Asked to BE Excused
from serving, as he was IN poor health.
and suggested that First Vice President
Fisher be honored with the presidency.
The convention declined to eXcusd the
governor, but at his request Mr.. Fisher
will preside during the sessions. S. A.
Thompson, secretary of the Duluth
chamber OF commerce, was called upon
Tor an address, all entertained the con-
vention for an hour with a very able
ana interesting discussion of the ''Water
Route to the Sea-" in which he gave
very pertinent facts and figures showing
grand possibilities in transportation by
water. The convention then took a
recess, reassembling at SIS D. m, A
choice musical programme was rendered
by orchestra sOloiStS and chorus of
Grand Forks musicians. The presence
of ladies and society people greatly
enlivened the proceedings. An original
recitation, THE Boarding House Re-
hearsal." by Franklyn w. Lee, of st.
raul, won an enthusiastic encore. Sec
retary McGinnis announced the ar
rival of
additional Delegations
from Winnipeg, Park River and Mimic.
Gen. Andrews, of st. Paul, addressed
the convention ON the necessitv of the
Improvement of the Red river and tribu-
tary waterways. Chairman Fisher. nj.
T. p, in behalf of Manitoba, spoke ear
nestly, urging that the lake route to the
seaboard, with all improvements of the
natural channel, including canals.
should be owned and operated
Jointly by both nations through
an international canal commission.
Tolls, he said, should be swept awav
and canals forever be made free, Smith
Curtis, of Portage la Prairie, spoke of
the illimitable heat-producing capa-
billties of Manitoba and of the adyant
age of a deep waterway to the seaboard
and direct shipment of wheat to the.
worlds markets. The convention adj
lourned to g a. m. tomorrow. The reso-s
lutlons are not yet reported. After:
adjournment the delegetes and visitors
will be rendered a grand reception at
the elegant rooms of the Pioneer club.