The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1892-05-21
PoR pEEP WATER.
Resolutions Adopted By the Convention ~
Eemphls = A Permanent Organsaation
Provided For

Resolutions Adopted By the Convention ~
Memphis - A Permanent Organsaatson
Provided For. &
MEMPHIS, Tenn, May 14-When the
Mississippi valley deep water conven-
ton met yesterday morning, with Con-
gressmRn John G. Tarsney Of Missouri
in the chair, the committee on resolu-
tions appointed at the last meeting
presented the following report:
Whereas, The Mississippi river and its nav
igable tributaries constitute tbs most valuable
natural highway for the commerce Of the coun-
try to the trade OF every state and territory
tributary TO the Mississippi valley.
Whereas The permlnent Improvement Of the
Mississippi river and Its navigable tributaries
win insure stable and regular rates throughout
the year by competition with the trunk lines 70
the seaboard; therefore be 1t
Resolved, That it is the duty Of the United
States government To provide adequate and
continuous appropriations for the Improvements
OF the Mississippi river and its principal tribu
| taries so as to secure safe and free navigation
Of these rivers: and be it
Resolved. That it affords great Qualification
to the people Of the Mississippi valley to see
the growing disposition throughout the union
to recognize the simple justice Of aid being rem
dered by the government in the construction
and maintenance OF levees. thus protecting
and relieving the people Of the lower val
ley from the disaster from the overflow. In
this connection we refer with pleasure to the
work of the government oflcers in charge of the
river improvement; to the Missouri river COM
mission and the Mississippi river commission,
whose works have doubled the low water depth
Of those portions Of the river where the com
mission and the officers have done their work,
and we indulge in the hope that this great
meritorious work will not be neglected by con-
greSs, but pressed to successful completion,
Resolved, That we applaud tho action of
both houses of congress in encouraging the
system Of continuous appropriations for the
improvement OF the Mississippi river, and hope
it will be extended to the tributaries.
Resolved, That we express the hope that
President Harrison who, having been mem
ber of the Mississippi river commission. knows
the demands Of the people for the improvement
Of the river, will affix his signature to the most
liberal bill presented to him for approval
Col. Robert Gates, of Memphis,
promptly presented the following
amendment:
Resolved further, That the Mississippi river
| should more and more be considered by and pro-
vided for in the congress of the United States
| as the republics chief water highway and its
| only inland sea to the end of navigation by
ocean vessels as high up the river as possible.
The st. Louis and certain north
ern delegates opposed this amend-
ment and argued that the question
of river and harbor improvements
one, as might be considered the case by
the adoption of the amendment.
Judge T. ]. Latham submitted and
amended in lieu of that offered by Col.
Gates as follows:
Resolved, That we petition the United States
/ government to provide adequate and continu-
es,H
Mississippi river and its principal tributaries,
so as to secure safe and free navigation Of these
rivers and deep water navigation in the Missis-
sppi river to the most etii ,ient extent practic-
/ able
This was accepted by both sides to
the controversy and unanimously
adopted.
The committee on permanent organi-
zation of a deep water association for
the Mississippi valley was not ready to
report and it was suggested by Col.
| Robert Gates that it be recommitted to
complete its work.
w. II. Miller moved that the COM
mittee be discharged, and instead a
committee of seven, all of Memphis, be
appointed to formulate plans and bring
the association into existence.
Further amendments were proposed
| until one came from L. p. Cooper, OF
Memphis, which met with general ap-
proval and it was adopted. 1t was to
the effect that the proposed COMMITTEES
be composed of nine members, five OF
whom should be from Memphis, the re-
mainder to come from other states. 1t
was also adopted and further motion
prevailed that when it should have
been organized it be of cooperative
character.
On motion of Capt. Halliday w. H.
Miller was invited to address the con-
vention, which he did in an able and
instructive manner, the foundation OF
his remarks being the necessity for
river improvement as an aid to COM
merce. At its conclusion the chair an
nounced the following executive com
mittee to organize permanent associar
ton, as provided in the motion of Mr..
Cooper:
Judge T. J. Latham, chairman; w. P,
Halliday, of Illinois; John t. Horner,
Of Arkansas; c. A. Scott, of Mississippi
Zach Taylor, w. J. Crawford, Col.
Robert Gates and Hon. A. D. Gwynne,
of Tennessee.
! The convention then adjourned sine
Il die