The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-03-23
ON THE RIVER.
Trip of the Rivers and Harbors
Committee to Wheeling
.wASPLEASAM DPROFlTABLE
A Iandrea and Finy Persons Made the
Journey ON the virginia From Pitts
burga 90 whssiinE-A Fine banquet.
Enthusiastically Greeted all the Way.
The Reception at the Mcclure House a
brilliant AFFAIR.

the visiting members OF the rivers and
harbors committee all the way from
Pittsburgh to Wheeling Saturday, and
the climax was capped by the magnif-
cent greeting from the citizens OF
Wheeling at the wharf and the splendid
reception at the Mcclure house..
The trip from Pittsburgh down was a
memorable one to those who were on
the palatial steamer Virginia, but It's
Importance to the business interests OF
the Ohio and Monongahela valleys far
outweighed the mere pleasure enjoyed
by the ladies' and gentlemen on board.
II was nearly 10 o'clock Saturday
morning before the Virginia pulled out
from the Pittsburgh wharf, the delay
being occasloned by the large amount
OF freight taken on by the steamer,
There were on board beside the ladies
and gentlemen OF the congressional
party, large delegation OF Pittsburgh
business men: and delegations from the
Wheeling chamber OF commerce. Fair
mont and other towns on the Mononga-
heia, and Cincinnati and other points on
the Ohio. The entire party numbered
one numbered and hfty persons, all OF
whom were in the best OF humor and
enjoyed the entire trip. The morning
was bright, the atmosphere being Just
crisp enough to be exhilerating.
AS the steamer moved down the har~
Dor the large number OF tow boats lying
& along the shore with their coal fleets,
awaiting a chance to start south,
sounded their whistles. Their shrieks
were taken up by the mills and factories
on the shores and by the railroad loco
motives, and the ear-splitting ovation
continued until the Virginia had
rounded. the bend OF the river and was
out Of sight.
The first stop was nude at Davis Is
land dam, about Ave miles below Pitts
burgh. to give the congressman an OPP
portunity to inspect that important
government work. The dam was down.
the marks showing sixteen feet of water,
but the boat was taken through the
lock, stopping opposite the lock-keeper's
house. The congressional committee
landed and were shown the practical
working OF a wicket. or section. OF the
dam which was rigged up on the shore.
Here Captain ]. F. bravo explained the
construction OF the dam, Its cost, &c.
The visitors took 2 deep Interest In the
explanations and In all else that they
were shown and told which had the
, slightest bearing on the object OF their
trip.
serie. ofOratIons.
The boat resumed her journey in q
few minutes and then began the series
OF oyations OF the day. At every town
and village the population was assem-
bled to greet the party, even at those
points where no stops were made. AT
some points the boat was greeted by the
booming of cannon. The statesmen ana
not few OF the ladies from washington
manifested considerable interest as the
town 81 Beaver was approached. and
they were told that this was the home
OF Senator Quay. and that they were
gazing upon the abiding place Of a pres
idential possibility. AT East Liverpool
Ohio. there was a great crowd OF en-
tfitsiastIc people on the wharf and the
scene was rendered inspiring by lib
etsll display of American flags and the
music OF brass band. The party land
ed and were conveyed In carriages 70
view the great pottery industries OF me
town. Al New Cumberland. Wellsville.
Steubenyilie and wellsburg this pro-
eramme was repeated. The whole pop
tilations OF these towns gathered on the
river bank and there was continual
cheering until the boat would resume
her tourney. At each place the boat
waited long enough for an informal re.
ceptlon TO be held by the committee OF
the business men and the people of the
town. The handshaking process was, oil
course, little tlresome, but the mem
bers Of the committee stood II herolcaIIy
and with good humor.
Shortly after ! o'clock dinner was an
nounced and the one hundred and NIFTY
ladies and Eentlemen sat down TO Q
course banquet splendidly served by j.
A. Kennedy, the well known Pittsburgh
caterer. II was i veritable feast oil
reason and flow OF soul" There was no
formal programme OF speeches to be
carried out, and the remarks that were
delivered took a wide range, though all
were directed toward the one thing up
perTnost In everybody's mlnd-river Inn
proVement Col. John l.. Vance, pres
ident OF the Ohio. River Improvement
Association. opened the speaking with
formal invltatlon,on behalf OF the Gin
cInnatl chamber OF commerce. TO the
committee to extend their trip to that
CITY. Chairman Hooker responded and
spoke OF the Importance OF getting back
10 Washington as soon as possible, and
said he was afraid that at least some OF
the members would be obliged TO dIsap-
point the Cincinnati friends. though
they would like very much to go.
Important Facts.
Congressman Bromwell also spoke on
behalf of Cincinnati. Secretary ]. C,
Shaw, OF the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie
canal company. spoke eloquently OF tina,
project and It's great Importance In con-
nection with the river improvement
Congress was not asked 10 build the
shin canal. he said. II was only asked
10 endorse the bonds OF the company
and that in return the company was u
give the government absolute contro
al the canal. He read some important
statistics showing the enormous ton
maze OF the Ohio and Monongahela
rivers and the great losses due TO tbs
fact that there is not navigation all tbs
year round.
colonei Vance again spoke OF thu
,york az the Ohio River improvement
HSaocIntion and reviewed the fact
xyhIch were fully set forth In Saturday
TnteIfiRencer. Other addresses were dc
iiyered by Captain John F. bravo. tn
veteran river man. CONGRESSMAN Day
TON, and Mr.. Charles Burdett Hart. ~
contained impressive statements elo
s,,,artiy uttered and were heartily ap
DnrIng the speech making. and whil'
,he hoai was lying at New Cumberland
~ neonle OF that llourishing plac'
ssnt an hoard a barrel OF rosy apple
10 the passengers. accompanying u VIII WIZ
Sta,ement regarding the apple pro
auction of Hancock county.
II was as follows: 1900 T.
'S-iIiE apple production is grown In
limit Of three miles OF frontage on tn
ohio river. and includes ur'cold stor
ace fruit houses. with storage capaGit!
f IN any thousand barrels OF apples
stsa one cider and vinegar factory