The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-16
Permanent Organization Formed for
the Purpose of Impressing the VAL
Iey's Needs on Congress.
SPEECHES BY CoNGREssMEN
HEMENWAY, HOLIDAY. MiERS AND
OTHERS DELIVERED ADDRESSES.
Lafayette Beaten by Vincennes Cor
Next Meeting Place.. Frank Han
Iy's Defense OF His City.
;peeial 70 the 1ndlanapolIs journal.

Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind, Sept. 15.-One
thousand enthusiastic delegates met here
to-day and organized the Wabash River
Improvement Association. Frank Fitten.
of New Harmony, Ind, was elected presi-
dent and Vincennes was chosen the arst
meeting place Of the permanent organiza-
tion. Many prominent persons were pres
ent. including Congressman Hemenway.
whose advice was well received.
II was the intention OF the dele
gates to meet in Germania Hall. but
the room was found to be too small,
and the convention adjourned to the Grand
Opera House, where soon 1000 persons were
seated. Perhaps that many people came
TO the city for the occasion and the Terre
Haute delegates save way for their COM
fort. Evansville sent a special train which
had 500 persons when it arrived here. in
cluding. the Lafayette delegation and others
from Covington and Attica. The Lafayette
people marched up the street with their
band and a platoon of police at the head.
Vincennes. with 300. brought the First Reg
iment Band and platoon of police. The
delegations from southern Illinois came in
full numbers, Mount Carmel alone sending
scventy-five.
EMISON ACTS AS CHAIRMAN
John t. Beasley, president of the Terre
Haute Commercial Club, called the conven-
tion to order and the Rev. ]. E. Sulger
made the invocation. The Hon. James w.
Emison, of Vincennes. was elected chair
man by acclamation. and spoke at length
OF the growth of the Wabash valley and
It's claim for government aid in making
the river navigable for water traffic from
Lafayette TO Liverpool" he said Mr.. w.
II Duncan, secretary of the Commercial
Club, was elected secretary of the conven-
ton John z. Lamb of Terre Haute. Of
fered a resolution providing for a perma-
nent organization. A large committee was
appointed to prepare form, and while il
was absent speeches were made. Congress-
man Holiday. OF the Fifth Indiana district
was the first speaker. He explained the
method of getting an appropriation Con-
gressman Mlers, or the Second district, also
spoke.
Congressman Hemenway. the next speaker
was listened TO closely because he is 10 be
chairman OF the appropria tons committee
OF the next House He told the convention
tnat SlO.Wo mad been spent the Wabash
river, most of il some years ago and that
what must now be done is to get the army
engineers 10 prepare system OF work which
would be effective and then convince the
river and harbcr committee that the valley
Is entitled 10 the appropria ton. These two
things DONE there would be no difficulty i'm
here or on the floor of the House counted
for nothing. he said. The committees ac-
tion Is final. River and harbor bills are not
amended In the House.
Congressman Crowley, of Illinois, also
spoke. as did the Hon. w. S. Haggard. of
Lafayette.
a letter was read from Congressman Cam
non saying ne would support a practicable
measure for the Improvement of the river.
Senator Fairbanks sent a letter saying he
could not be present and expressing the
wish that "tie occasion may be a pleasant
and successful one"
PERMANENT ORGANIZATION.
The committee on organization reported a
constitution and list of officers. the latter
as follows: President. Frank Fitton. New
harmony: secretary. w. Fl. Duncan, Terre
Haute; treasurer. Charles Murdock, Lafay-
cite.
IL was recommended that the next meet
ing be at Lafayette. This started lively
controversy, it being moved that the name
OF Vincennes be substituted. Former Mayor
Green. of that city. declared there was no
chance OF the work of Improvement being
made above Terre Haute. and he loudly de-
manded of the Lafayette delegates if they
were in the convention with an honest and
sincere purpose This brought Daniel
Storms To the front of the stage with :; We
hcment request To be told why the five nun
dred Lafayette citizens were here il not
with an earnest purpose To help the move
ment Former Mayor Mckinley. of Lafay-
ette. also defended Lafayettes sincerity as
did Colonel Thompson. of that city. and then
j. frank HanIy appealed to the Vincennes
delegation and their friends from the lower
valley tn show consideration for the upper
river. and told them they would want the
help OF the up-river people.
Congressman Williams, of the Illinois dis
trict which runs down To the Ohio river.
said the movement was started in the lower
valley. and Vincennes was the proper place
To hold the convention.
vote was called for. and when the yeas
arose and showed an apparent majority
Mr. Hanly withdrew Lafayette and heaped
Goals OF fire on the lower valley delegates
In way that made admirers for himself at
least. lie said Lafayette knew when IL was
whipped. but that Lafayette would help.
and some day that feeling of generosity
which Is In every breast though dormant
st times would inspire his friends To do
The Hon. +. B. Posey invited all to come
20 the Ohio river Improvement convention
In Evansville Oct. IA.
MAJOR sHAw'S VIEWS.
Major Derby. with headquarters at Louis
Vile. and who has charge of the army en-
gineering work on rivers in this district.
wrote that ne would be unable To come 10
the convention but that he would send his
assistant. Granville Shaw. Mr. Shaw was
here and did much to clarity the situation
for the delegates They came here with
various ideas TO what the convention
could do. and some thought the convention
would decide which system of Improvement
should be adopted. The delegates from the
northern part OF the valley largely believed
I'm the old plan for canal from Lake Mich
fgan to the Wabash somewhere near I.afav-
efte. and by means OF water from the lake
maintain a navigable channel In the Wa
bash others believed in a big system OF
locks and dams, which would be expensive
The lower Wabash delegates believed in the
Wstem Of wing dams and dikes. by which