The Proceedings
ÜFTHE
Idling riF| ^mmWu
ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE
WESTERN WATER-WAYS,
HELD AT WILLARD'S HOTEL,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
JANUARY 13-14, 1885:
THE CALL.
Washington, H. C., December 1884--
To the Members of the Executive Committee on the Improve'
ment of the Western Water- Waps:
Gentlemen;—The present session of Congress, as you
know, will be a short one. It will he necessary for the
Executive Committee to take action at once for the pro¬
motion of the interest it has in charge. The Washing¬
ton River Convention, held last Eehiuary, left the mat¬
ter in the hands of this committee, and it is impoi'tant
that a meeting of the committee be held at an early
date. The abundant crops in the west and the low
prices obtained for the surplus, force the question of
cheap transpoi'tation upon the attention of the people as
never before. The Representatives of the Mississippi,
Missouri and Ohio valleys cannot but appreciate the ne¬
cessity of prompt and liberal appropriations for carrying
2
forward every plan adopted for the improvement of the
Western Water-ways in the interest of cheap transpor¬
tation. To the end that intelligent and ethcient action
may he taken, this call is issued to the members of the
"Executive Committee on the improvement of the West¬
ern Water-ways," representing as they do, more than
one hundred commercial centers in the Mississippi Val¬
ley, to meet in Washington^ E-.C., January 13th, 1885;,
for the purpose of consultation.
Ic is important that every member of the committee
be present.
It the mean time, the committee will be represented
in Washington hv its Secretary,
B. D. WOOD,
Chairman Executive Committee,
Nail Orkans,
GEORGE Xx WRIGHT,
Secrdnry,
St. Louis,
Washington Address,'
WillanVs Hotel.
In pursuance to the preceding call, the committee
met at 4 p. m., January 13th, 1885; and was called to
order by Mr. B. D. Wood, chidrinan,. who said;
Gentlemen of the Committee:—•
It seemed right and proper for this committee to be
called together to consult concerning the necessary steps
to he taken to secure appropriations for the western
water-ways at this session of Congress. By the resolu¬
tions of the last river convention, this committee was
charged with the labor of looking after the great inter¬
ests, to promote which, that convention was held. We
are not so much to originate suggestions as to im¬
press the action ol the previous convention again upon
the attention of Congress. I will now call upon the
Secretary, wlio will s[ioak more fully upon this subject.
3
Remarks of the Secretary George L. Wright.
The necessity of this meeting for the purpose of con¬
sultation, was apparent both to the Chairman and Sec¬
retary of your Committee. Those of us, who have care¬
fully watched recent legislation, proposed, presumably
for the benefit of the people, especially those measures
which regard the question of ti'ansportation, and the_
varying opinions relating to it, have observed new and
formidable obstacles,which will require courage, influence
and skill to overcome.
The attention, both of the people and of Congress, has
been diverted, in some degree, from the great question we
have in hand, to other questions bearing, more or less,
upon the general welfare of the country, hut, which, in
our opinion, can be best promoted by carrying forward
the great measures pi'oposed to reduce the cost of trans¬
portation.
There is hardly a question, of an economic nature, agi¬
tating the public mind at the present time, whether it be
Tariff Reform; Inter-State Commerce Regulation; the
lessening of internal taxes, or the exchange of produc¬
tions with other countries under Reciprocity Treaties,
hut will find a natural solution, ultimately, in the full
settlement of the problem of cheap transportation upon
our rivers, lakes and canals.
You hear it often suggested that England and Conti¬
nental Europe will not purchase breadstuffs from this
country, if they can be supplied from India, and other
portions of the Eastern Hemisphere with which they
have close commercial relations or free trade. I am sat¬
isfied that the great imperial domain of the Mississippi
valley can SLiccessfully nieet any competition that anv
4
part of the world can ofler in supplying those countries
deficient in production, provided transportation in the in¬
terior can be reduced to a legitimate basis. This country
can excel in production, both in quantity and quality,
and can consequently force, under the naturallaws which
control trade, the purchase of our surplus, if we can trans¬
port it to market at a minimum cost.
The capacity for production of the United States is al¬
most unlimited, but the fact that the hulk of our natural
productions comes from the interior,far from tide-water,
and must be transported to the sea-coast at expensive
rates, compared with what they could he, is ahinderance
to the maintenance of our commercial supremacy in the
food markets of Europe.
With such improvements as have already been made,
we know that transportation in this country has been
largely reduced, but it must be remembered, that no less
have freights declined on all the great lines in Europe,
carrying bulky products, during the last few years; this is
especally true of transportation on the Danube, Black
Sea, the Mediteranean sea and Suez canal, competitive
lines with those in this country, in the transfer of cereals.
The decline in freights on railroads in Europe has been
no less remarkable.
These reductions must he met in this country, and they
can only he met by securing liberal aid to the thorough
improvement of our great water-route system. Notwith¬
standing all the progress in construction and increased
lompetition on European railways, foreign governments
have not been deterred from undertaking great enter¬
prises in the construction of artificial water-ways, believ¬
ing that thereby still cheaper rates may be secured. Eng¬
land, France and Germany have entered upon plans for
5
building canals, during the last three years that will cost
$500,000,000.
Some of the people of this country seem to be fright¬
ened if our Eiver and Harbor Committee recommends
the small amount of $15,000,000 annually, lor ah the
Elvers and Harbors of a country much larger than England
France, and Germany combined, with natural water¬
courses adapted for navigation, greater than those of the
whole Eastern Continent.
Such, then, are some of the movements taking place in
Europe to secure che^p water transportation. They fur¬
nish an example worthy to be imitated by our own states¬
men and law-makers.
Our own people observe with satisfaction the endeav¬
ors made to bind together, by water and rail, the At¬
lantic and Pacific, shortening commercial lines, cheapen¬
ing freight, and uniting closely the people of the whole
world. The Tehauntepec Eailway; The Panama and
Nicaraugua Canals, to the latierof which, the Federal
power has alread\' lent its infiuence and its approbation
by treaty negotiations, are unquestionably enterprises of
great magnitude in the interests of commerce and the
public thought of the country geiieralE favors them, but
we must not become too much absorbed in these schemes
to forget or neglect our own vast internal interests. We
must remember that we have 3,000 miles of inland navi¬
gation on the Mississippi alone, which, if properly utili¬
zed, through the expenditure of one half the amounts
proposed for building a canal across the Isthmus, would
be available for transporting our internal commerce,
amounting to billions of dollars in value annually, at one
half of the present cost, and upon the development of
whicdi depends the grave question whether our farmers
6
and producers shall continue to find, at reasonable prices,
a market for their labor. Consider, too, the great tribu¬
taries susceptible of such improvements as will be of in¬
calculable advantage to our commet'cial interests. The
first and highest duty is the protection of home interests,
and the cheapening of transportation within our own
borders should have priority of consideration over all
other schemes.
How poorly we comprehend what the Almighty has
done for this country in locating its water-ways. How
little we understand their great value. We hear of the
decline of river commerce, and of deductions made there¬
from of the uselessness and inefiiciency of water trans¬
portation .
How superficial are such considerations.
Consider a moment what freights in the interior are
and what they should be. For illustration take the four
roads running from Kansas City across the State of Mis¬
souri, namely, the Chicago and Alton, Hannibal and St.
Joseph, .Missouri Pacific, and the Wabash, St. Louis and
Pacifi 1. These roads, according to the report of the Rail¬
road Commissioners of the State of Missouri, made in
1882, the following showing. On 1,001 miles of main line,
with 587 miles of branches in Missouri, the net earnings
were $6,050,753. This is a sum sufficient to pay a six
per cent dividend on a capital of $63,500. per mile, and
37 per cent of this is upon branches of relatively small
value.
AVith steel rails at $27. per ton, and all other material
entering into railway construction reduced to one-half
the cost of fifteen years ago, not one of these lines but
could be built at present for $20,000 per mile, and even
/
less. At the rate of earnings of 1882j at that cost, they
would be earning now a dividend of 25 per cent. You
see plainly how, at a legitimate cost oí a road, freight
rates could be materially reduced, for^ at the same rate
of earnings, to obtain a dividend, on present cost, of 6
per cent, freight could be carried at one-four h of the
present charges. We hear much of regulating freights
by enactments of Congress, but the question always pre¬
sents itself in framing such legislation, bow to get rid of or
make allowance for earnings on the excessive amount of
wateied stock, and the large bonded debt. It will not
do to annihilate railroads by a decree and render them
all bankrupt. Let the reduction come legitimately. Let
the rivers be improved, so that tVeight can be carried
upon them at a fair rate, and it would not be long before
railroad charges would be reduced to paying prices upon
the legitimate cost of a road at the present time, and
not upon a superabundance of inflated and watered stock,
and they would be forced to reconstruct their bonded
and stock indebtedness to an honest basis. Then your
rivers would be white with commerce, and roads would
be built from every producing section to the rivers, at
real cost, and every trunk line would be tapped by them
and the liopes of the pi'oducers for low rat es, would be
realized as never before. [Applause ] Such would be some
of the happy results of thorough rivtr improvement. The
time will come when wheat and corn will be moved from
the mouth of the Illinois to the jetties for one cent per
bushel, and from Kansas City, the commercial Metropolis
of the Missouri valley, for two cents a bushel. A gen¬
eration who reaped with a sickle, thrashed with a flail,
and sent their grain to market in bags, would contemp¬
late such statements with amazement, nevertheless, the
8
sons of that generation will see them fulfilled. It would
not then require Federal legislation to limit railway
charges. The question naturally arises, if such great
benefits are possible, if they can be realized through river
improvement, why is not the money forthcoming ?
•'The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars.
But in ourselves, tliat we are underlings.''
The sections of this great Mississippi Valley, which
hold the purse and the sWord of the nation' cannot quite
agree upon this question of water-route transportation.
Jealousies arise; one part is afraid the other is getting
more than its share. The Ohio interest is not in full
harmony with the .Mississippi interests. The people
along the .Missouri are claiming to be neglected, and pro¬
pose to organize to defeat other sections, if their claims
are not fully allowed. The great Northwest is dissatis¬
fied, because in an enterprise it considers valuable to
commerce, it gets indiffèrent support from other por¬
tions of the valley. This condition of affairs certainly
should not be permitted to exist a single day. The Miss¬
issippi Valley has a great battle to fight in the interests
of its great commerce. It must overcome ignorance,sec¬
tional prejudice, and petty commercial rivalries, each
one an enemy of great power. It should stand together
like one man with one voice, and proclaim that its en¬
deavors to secure cheap water transportation is in the
interest of no section, no party, but for the common good
of the people of the whole Commonwealth. The three
fat oxen in NË sop's fables Were safe from the wolves while
they fed and watered together, but when dissensions
arose among them, incited by the cunning policy of the
wolves, and each, angry at the other, fed apart, on the
oppo.site sides of the hill, singly, they became an easy
9
prey to the enemy. We, in the valley, disunited, are
overcome; nnited, and exercising the power vested in
South, Middle section and the great Northwest, we are
invincible. No combination or power of section,or rail¬
roads can then defeat our project.
The great object in organizing this Committee was
to secure unity of action in the Mississippi Yalle}',
where none had existed from the formation of the so
called Union. That should always be our policy, for it is
the policy by which and by which onh', we can succeed,
and by which every section can obtain what it considers
its due, and its public interests demand.
'"'I assume that we stand squarely on the policies and
declarations of the great river conventions of 1881 and
1884.
Mr. President and Gentlemen of this Committee, T
congratulate you upon what has been so far accomplished;
This committee by its action, has made this question of
River Improvement a National, instead of a sectional one.
You have exatted it above mere part}- politics, and have
brought, by pledges, both the g?'eat political parties to
support it, and the country to endorse and advocate
your measures. You have endeavored, with a fair measure
of success,which I trust this meeting will render complete,
to unite and harmonize sections, heretofore hostile. You
represent, at qiresent, nearly one hundreil commercial
centers. The founders of this committee intended that
it should be a permanent, active force, increasing in num¬
bers and inriuence, in order that all the interests of the
great Valley, in favor of water transportation should
have an organized power to promptly repre.sent its pub¬
lic opinion, and whenever necessary invoke the aid of all
the people in mass conventions to impress its thought
KJ
and will upon tlie legislation of the Nation, and theEx;^
ecutive power of the Government.
Concentrating, as it does, such vast influences, and in
terests in the hands of this Executive body, it behooves
us to he alive and appreciate the great responsibilities
intrusted to our care, namely, to secure the cheapest pos¬
sible transportation between the producer and the con¬
sumer over the lines of water-ways which Providence
has given us, and to favor every appliance and method
that the inventions of the age may develop to secure this
result.
Your reward will he that you give voice and action
to the will of 30,000,000 of people, who are to be the
beneflciaries of the labors of this Committee, whose pub¬
lic spirit, alone, induces them to give their time and at¬
tention to this great work. New Orleans, the gaie-way
of river commerce, St, Louis, the center of the produc
tions of the soil and manufactures, St. Paul and .Vlinneap
olis,the great capitals of the new Northwest, and a hun¬
dred other cities, all have a common interest in the suc¬
cess of your efforts; the toiling millions on the farms,
in the mines and factories of the interior; the consum¬
ers of food in this and distant lands will all hail the suc¬
cess of our cause with joy and gratitude. [Applause.]
0 motion of J. W. Bryant, the remarks of the Sec¬
retary were received and ordered to be made a part of
the record.
On motion of Mr. F. C. Morehead a committee on res¬
olutions were appointed, consisting of the following
named gentlemen:
F. C. Morehead, E. W. Fox,
J. W. Bryant, T. B. Bullene,
.lohn C. Bore, Arthur Kirk.
11
Ou motion, all resolutions were referred to the com¬
mittee,
Mi\ T. B. Bullene presented a resolution favoring the
policy adopted by the Government in negotiating reci¬
procity treaties as a means of opening new markets for
our surplus, which was referred to the committee.
judoe keägan,
of Texas, in a forcible speech presented this claims of
the proposed improvement of the Galveston Harbor as
Worthy of the attention of the committee, should it
consider such a matter within its province.
He referred to the enormous cattle, cotton and wool
industries of Texas, and the pressing necessity for an
outlet for these products by way of Galveston harbor.
Complaints had been made by the stock raisers of Kan¬
sas and other States, because of the belief that as a re¬
sult of the driving of Texas cattle a long distance north¬
ward, a disease Was communicated to Kansas cattle,
hence it would be well if Texas had an outlet through
Galveston harbor for live stock and beef exports. A
senator had said to him that with proper harbor facili¬
ties at Galveston, the corn crop of Kansas this season
would have been enhanced in value to the extent of at
least eight cents a bushel. The States of Texas, Kansas,
California, Nevada, Nebraska. Western Missouri and
Western Iowa and the Southwestern Territories, a re¬
gion surpassing in area and wealth the original thirteen
States at the time of the Revolution, were all deeply in¬
terested m the improvement of the Galveston harbor.
He oftered the following resolution which was re¬
ferred;
''That the committee on resolution.s appointed do con-
12
sider and report to this meeting, on the questions of the
necessity and advisability of the passage of a law by Con
gress providing for the making a deep water channel
across the bar into Galveston on what is known as the
Eads jDroposition
A number of the members of the Kiver and Harbor
Committee appeared, and were invited to seats with
the membei's of the Executive Committee. The
Hon. C. R. Breckenridgb
being called upon said:
Mr. Ciiatrman and Gentlemen:
I came to this meeting to listen, rather than to speak^
and it is hardly necessary or projrer that 1 should do
much more than express my appreciation of the compli.'
ment of being called upon to express my views. Indeed
after being upon my feet the whole day, discussing, in
committee, the great river you are here to advance, I am
too weary, were I otherwise disposed, to occupy your at¬
tention long.
I wished you could have assembled here at an earlier
day. And t o accomplish this end I wrote your chair--
man, not long since, that we needed your counsel and
support. But the question, now, has been virtually set¬
tled, and while I am not at liberty to speak with per¬
fect freedom of proceedings in committee; yet I may
express the hope that when- our bill is brought into the
House it will meet with your approval, at least in re¬
gard to the interests yon especially look after, and also
the approval of the country.
I think you do welt to keep up your organization aud to
assemble as a coiumittee, composed, as it is, of able men
from the great business centers of the valley. This is
hctter than au unwieldy convention, foi' what wo nm.st
13
need here, from this on, is counsel and tinity, and not
enthnsiasni, which latter power can better be evoked, if
need be, near home.
Gentlemen, I will not deal in ñgnres; but none know
better than 3 0U do that the time has'come for our coun^
try to advance to the front among nations in removing
all material obstructions toicomlnel'ce [applause.] In
this work We are almost in infancy, while our commerce
has become well nigh boundless, and it is crying aloud
for relief. As a ñrst step toward relief 1 stood among
those who sti'uck from our last bill one-third of the ob¬
jects that had received appropriations from the previous
Congress, This was to get rid of unworthy works, and
to make our bill a business and not a political bill. [Ap¬
plause.] The next step is to put the best talent in
charge of otrr improvements, and to practice the best
methods of administration. These things bring'yonri-
dehce, and confidence gets mtrne}', and only when we
have fully advanced in this line can we feel that our
river and harbor works have been elevated to that high
plane upon which the people will not only justify, but
they will also demand that regular and adequate appro¬
priations be made. If we stick to this, the time is not
far distant that hot a tenj but a twenty-five and a fifty
million bill will not be thought immoderate. [Applause.]
It is to this end that I have striven and do strive, for
the good of pur country, for the blessing and benefit of
judicious expenditures none can deny.
And as for you, î trust you hiay all live to see the
gratid river which flows through the centre of the Mis¬
sissippi Valley, with its thirty thousand miles of naviga¬
ble tributaries, fully improved, and then there will be a
commerce upon those matchless waters, and around the
14
shores ot'the circular Gulf, such as the Mediterranean hi
its palmiest days never dreamed of. [Applause.]
This is more than I intended to say, and I will not
further trespass upon yoUr patience. [Applause.]
Hon T. J. Henderson, being called Upon said;
Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen;
Like my friend General Bayne. I am here upon the
invitation of your committee, to hear, and not to be
heard. I will say, however, in response to your call,
that I am glad to meet you, coming as you do from the
Mississippi Valley, and interested as I know you are, in
the improvement of the waterways of our country.
As a member of the committee on Hivers and Har¬
bors, it is not proper for me to speak of the action of
the committee as to particular appropriations for Im¬
provement-. I can, however, say without impropriety,
Ï think, that the committee are deeply impressed with
the importance of improving our waterways; and are
disposed to make liberal appropriations for that purpose.
For some reason all Hiver and Harbor Bills—passed at
short sessions, seem to have been smaller in amount,
than those passed at the long sessions of Congress.
I confess I can see no good reason for such distinction,
as all appro23riations are made for the fiscal year. But
it may have grown out of the fact that there is not so
much time for the consideration of appropriations, at a
short session-. -
The committee on Hivers and Harbors however have
thought it well to follow the precedents, and not to at¬
tempt to pass a lar^e Hiver and Harbor Bill at this short
session of Congress. I have since I have been a member of
Congress, taken a deep interest in all measures—calcu-
15
lated to give to the people cheaper transportation, and
increased facilities for transportation.
This is a great country of ours—our population and
our commerce, are growing rapidly. We can hardly re¬
alize how immense our commerce is to-day, and it is in¬
creasing with wonderful rapidity, and the people, de¬
mand and will continue to demand the very best and
cheapest facilities for transportation.
In my opinion there is no money expended by the
Government of the United States, which is so much in
the interest of the people, as the money expended in
improving our water channels of transportation. They
are the best, and the most eftective regulators of railway
transportation charges; and as our country and our com¬
merce grow and expand, they will increase in their in¬
terest and importance to the people. Again I say gen¬
tlemen I am glad to meet you. You come together
from various parts of the country, to consult about these
great improvements in which the people you represent
have and feel a deep interest;
I trust your meeting will result in great good. Thank¬
ing you for the invitation extended to me to meet your
committee, and for the opportunity of saying this much
I will yield to other gentlemen.
HON. A. S. WILLIS.
Hon. a. S. WillIkS, Chairman of the Hiver and Har-
por Committee, being called upon, said:
Mr. Chairman and Ggntdemen :
I thank you for the compliment of your call, and in
responding to it, albeit briefly, permit me to congratu
late you, and to congratlate the couutry, upon the un-
IG
selfish and patriotic objects which have called jou to¬
gether. You are here not to advance the interests of
the few, but the many—not to further the cause of mon¬
opoly and of corporate greed and power, but to promote
the welfare and add to the prosperity of the whole
country by widening, and deepening, and improving its
great waters and waterways so that the growth of our
fields and the products of our skill may go forth cheap,
free and unfettered to the markets of the world. Such
objects must c >mmend themselves to the intelligent
judgment of every disinterested citizen and will secure
for their advocates the heartfelt gratitude—and, let us
hope—-the earnest co-operation of the great majority of
our people. The committee charged with the considera¬
tion of these subjects feel an especial interest in your
proceedings, and the presence of so many of its mem¬
bers to-day attests that interest. If the popular preju¬
dice against the River and Harbor hill has been for the
most part removed and a broader and more liberal
sentiment aroused in its behalfj we owe these results
largely to the series of conveutions similar to this which
have been held from time to time, widening the views of
our representative business men and demanding at the
hands of the Federal legislature fuller recognition and
larger appropriations for the waterways of our country.
The problems of cheap transportation and cheap food
can never be solved until this is done. And permit me
to express the opinion that the subject of interstate
commerce—the regulation of the railroad rates which,
under the leadership of the distinguished gentleman
fi'orn Texas ( .\Ir. Reagan ) whom I see before me, has occu¬
pied so much of our time during the present session of
Congress, is also closely connected with the improvement
of our great rivers. While I cast my vote most willingly
17
for the bill so ably championed bj^ him, I fear that its
provisions will be disregarded or evaded, and knowing
the power of railroad influence in our courts, I do not
hesitate to express the belief that a wise and liberal de¬
velopment of onr waterways will do more to regulate
interstate commerce and to prevent the unjust discrim¬
inations and exactions of railroads than a hundred bills
which we may pass for that purpose.
And whenever the interdependence of these gi'eat
questions of cheap transportation, cheap food and rail¬
road regulation are sufliciently understood I predict that
instead of finding it. difficult, as it now often is to bring
in a River and Harbor bill of eight or ten millions of
dollars, we will be sustained by our constituencies in re¬
porting triple or quadruple that amount. Aor would
such an increase be commensurate with the progress of
the ^railroad system, upon whose exactions this is in¬
tended to be a check.
The flrst twenty miles of railroad in this country were
built in 1830. Between 1830 and 1850, 9000 miles of
road were constructed. During the next ten years 21,
690 miles were added. To clay we have a grand total
of 143,503 miles, whose capitalization is $7,320,409,461.
If we deduct one-half of this amount for duplication &c.
there will remain in round numbers $4,000,000,000. as
representing the present market value of the railroad
system. The aggregate amount appropriated for the
improvement of rivers and harbors from the beginning
of the Government, March 4, 1789, to June 30, 1884,
was 1142,852,708 or in round numbers 143 millions, as
the grand total of appropriations for rivers and harbois
up to the present day, as against four billions, the pres¬
ent market value of the railroads. In other words, the
18
railroads which have been constructed in tlie last ilU or
40 years have cost over thirty times the total amount
expended for rivers and harbors from the foundation of
the Government. Comparing these two rival systems
thereforej we might more than quadruple our annual
appropriations for water-ways and then it would be half
a century before they woi^ld square the value to-day of
the railroads.
Nor would such an increase be disproportionate to the
amounts expended by individual ötates and other na¬
tions for similar purposes.
The State of New York expended for the Erie Canal
alone 149,591,852. Other canals have cost that State
over seventy-nine millions. Our neighbor Canada, has
expended 145,115,000, on the Weiland Canal and its
branches. Upon one of her harbors, that of Cherburg,
France has expended $100,000,000, or four times as
much as our Government has expended upon all the
great harbors on the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, and
on the great lakes of the country. England expends
over $20,000,000 annually. In the single province of
India within the last two or three years England, for
the purpose of securing cheap transportation, has expen¬
ded more than the United States has expended for all
the States of the Union. If, therefore, we should give
15 or 18 millions of dollars per annum for these great
National works of the Federal Union, a union several of
whose 38 States are as large as Fi'ance and England
combined, the expenditures could be defended.
But, Mr. Chairman, while these facts rna}' not be ir¬
relevant to the pending business of your Committee,
yet as they are doubtless familiar to all of your members.
I'D
t owe yoii an apology for having trespassed so long up¬
on your valuable time.
Wishing you the most successful accomplishment of
the purposes you have in view and thanking you for
your patient attention, I yield the ilooi\ .[Applause.]
Kemarks of HoNs Jerry H. Murphy.
Mr. Chairman :
'Gentlemen í I am in full sympathy with the -ohjects
which this committee, and the association it represents,
has in view ; the improvement of our western watei'-
ways, without regard to locality ^ provided improvement
is practicable, and the necessity will justify the expendi¬
ture.
No other country has as many great rivers and lakes
extending from the far interior to tide-water in so many
directions. Great navigable channels for commerce, in¬
deed they are, with comparatively few obstructions.
Who says these shall not be removed ?
Transport by water is admitted to he the cheapest pos-
•sible, the world over.
What can be the underlying principle of him who op¬
poses all necessar}' improvements to make water trans¬
port available when it is admitted to be cheapest ? Is it
lack of financial ability ? Oh, no. No nation in the
Avorld has so small a public debt, in proportion to popula¬
tion and natural resources. The undeveloped wealth of
this country is simply inexhaustible. Of all this wealth
that of the soil is the most important and entitled to the
first consideration. And it is the tiller of ihe soil who
cries for those internal improvements and demands that
they be made commensurate with the present and future
reqitirenieftts of commerce. For some reasons there is a
great cry trom certain localities against bills for the im--
proveiueiit of internal waterwa\"s. And 3'et who does-
not know that the sums total for internal improvements
in this country are utterly insigniticant when compared
with those of European eountries- of far less financial
ability.
In modern times civilisation has two modes of trans¬
port ; by rail and by water.
Railroads are under the control of corixrrations, with
special and e.xtraordinary powers. These special powers-
make them amenable to legislative control. And yet it
IS found extremely difhciilt to control them by legisla¬
tion, In numerous instances it has been 'found much
easier for the railroads-to control legislation.
But the great natural waterways of the country that
cross the ti-imk lines and run parallel with them afibrd
all the necessary recpiisites to regulate and control their
freight charges. It is not piissible to regulate and con¬
trol these charges so etfectively in any other way.
The time for resolute and determined action for im¬
provement of our waterways has come. When freight
oil corn for a distance less than the length of the Erie
Canal costsmore than the farmer receives for his corn, a
remeily must be had. There is no alternative. Such are
the conditions now. The remedy is apparent, hut not
available. Connect the upper Mississippi with the great
lakes and six hundred miles of that great river will be
made available, and make navigation continuousand com¬
plete from St. Raul to the great lakes, and thence to the
sea-board, a distance of 2,000 miles. And what is the
iiiducenient ? What relief would that atford? What re-
21
lief do the lakes, the Erie Canal and the Hudson River
afford ? Why freights from the western lake ports to
Buiialo, a distance of 1^000 miles, is often one and one^
half (li) cents per bushel. It has been shipped for less<
and contracts have been made from these ports to New
York, including transfer charges,for six cents perbusheL
Yet we may have correspondingly cheap transpoi't from
the fields of production to the lake ports, or if not corres-
pondingÍ3' cheap, then as near it as possible. Let the Gov¬
ernment then make" these necessaiy improvements with
as little delay as possible.
This is no local matter. Cheap transport benefits pro¬
ducer and consumer alike. It is true the farmers are
inore urgent in demanding these improvements, because
cheaper transport is indispensable to the retention of
foreign markets for their surplus cereals.
And what special right have they to consideration ovei'
any other class of the cbmmunify ?
They have all the right which the futnishing of 80
per cent, of all our exports during the last sixtv' 3'ears can
give them,and the3'have the further right; the3- furnish
the productions from whence come otir internal revenue.
And for these rea.«ons I have been an advocate of
Water transportation, by improving the natural water¬
ways, and when necessary as connecting links in the
chain of navigation, creating artificial ones, such as the
Hennipin Canal, which, when built. Will give to the pro¬
ducer west of the Mississippi River and the consumer of
the East a saving over present railroad freight rates of
over twenty-five millions per annüm to a mathematical
certainty—and we may talk and agitate in and out of
Congress the important question of international com¬
merce and State regulation in the belief that legislation
22
and Congressional action wdll give the producer and con»
Burner relief, but say what you may and do what you will,
in the end you will find no material decrease in freight
rates, but vote only a few millions of dollars to construct
the Hennipin Canal and other water improvements, and
run them in opposition to railroads and you will find not
only the relief sought, but the consumer of the Ëast and
producer of the West will be benefited, and oUr surplus
grain will find a foreign market that is needed. Take a
single article for illustration ; Anthracite coal, found only
in the State of Pennsylvania, is consumed largely in the
West. That cofJ is brought from Erie, Penm, by Water,
and laid down in Chicago for not more than fifty cents
per ton ; it costs two dollars per ton to carry it by rail to
the Mississippi River. If this Hennipin Canal was con¬
structed it would not cost fifty cents per ton ; thereby a
saving of one dollar and fifty cents per ton over present
railroad rates. W^bat is true of coal is equally true of
■salt, nails, oil, glass, lumber, iron, paints, and other
merchandise, and equally true of eastern shipments of all
kinds of grain and farming products. Yes, Mr. Presi¬
dent, the question now is, shall we have relief, not asked
but out of dire necessity demanded ?
And I feel it my duty to not only grant relief, but
inake it certain and lasting. [Applause.]
Remarks of Hon. N. C. Blancharu.
■Mr. ChairiMan;
After the remarks of my colleagues of the River and
Harbor committee, wbo preceded me, I find but little
left to be said on the subject of river improvement, with¬
in the short time this afternoon at the disposal of this
tneeting for the diseussion of that topic.
2:{
I, and the other members of the River and Harbor
committee present, came fresh from our labors in the
committee room, where to-day we have been considering
the needs of the "Great Father of waters," the Mississippi
river, in respect to appropriations for its adequate im¬
provement. We come in deference to the wishes of the
gentlemen who compose this Executive Gommittee; who
desired that at least some members of the River and
Harbor committee of the House should be present at
your (lelil>eration ; and wo came, Mr. Chairman, because
we recognized that yourself and the other members of
this Executive Committee, composing as you do repre¬
sentatives from the commercial and agricultural bodies of
the country, are entitled to speak on this subject of
River and Harbor improvement, not only for the bodies
you represent, but as well for the people of the United
States. We came not for tlie purpose of speaking, of at¬
tempting to enlighten or interest you on the subject
which has brought you togethei', but to be enlightened
and instructed ourselves. What has been said, therefore,
by my colleagues of the committee of Rivers and Har¬
bors, and what shall be said by me, is brought out by
your calls upon us for our views on this great subject.
I hold Mr. Chairman, that in more than one provision
of the constitution can be found authority for Congress
to make appropriations for the improvement of our Rivers
and Harbors. Within the just limits of the constitution
I am in favor of internal improvements vy the Na ional
Government.
I do not believe that Committees of Congress, charged
with the duty of preparing River and Harbor bills, should
take into consideration so much the size of the bills they
reported to Congress, as they should the question :—
24
"What is needed for the adequate improvement of our
streams and harbors?"
We have been blessed by a bountiful nature with more
rivers and greater, than are perhaps, to he found in any
other country on the face of the globe ; and it is our
duty, with the great means at our command, to make the
most of those rivers commensurate with the great and
rapidly growing commerce of a grand country.
You and I, Mr. Chairman, come from a state (Lousi-
ana) which wants a great deal for the many rivers which
flow over and through her soil, and wanting much, sure¬
ly' we are willing to extend much for the same purpose to
other sections of our country. The wisdom of the judicious
expenditures of money by the Government in the im¬
provement of our waterways was never better illustrated
than by the success of the jetties at the mouth of the Mis¬
sissippi and the incalculable benefits which flow there¬
from.
Before their construction it was with great difflculty
that sea-going vessels drawing over sixteen feet of water
could pass the bar at the mouth of that river. Now
there are over thirty feet, and the largest vessels, laden
to their fullest capacity, pass in and out without deten¬
tion. More than 3,000 vessels enter at and pass out of
the mouth of the Mississippi each year, and none of
them are detained on account -of insufficient depth of
water. Through the inst rumentality of the jetties. New
Orleans has become a great seaport, and the second ex¬
porting city in the union, ranking next to New York in
the value of exports, and ranking third taking into con¬
sideration the value of exports and imports.
Time does not suffice, Mr. Chairman, for me to give
more than this one illustration of the good results oh-
25
tallied by oiiv efforts for the betterment of our Rivers
and Harbors. Let us continue these efforts; let no halt¬
ing, hesitating policy, and no parsimonious hand guide
the action of Congress in dealing with this subject.
One of the great economic questions of the day is cheap
transportation, and one of the ways of attaining to it is
the improvement of our waterways, so as to make them
afford the greatest possible facilities in their character
as competitors to the railroads for the carrying trade of
the country.
I thank the committee for the attention accorded me
and now yield the floor. [Applause.]
Other speeches were made by Senator Randall L. Gib¬
son, Hon. T. M. Bayne, Gen'l J. Floyd King and others.
On motion the meeting adjourned to meet it* 12 m on
Wednesday.
Januarp IJ4.,
The committee met pursuant to adjournment.
The Committee on Resolutions presented the following
report.
Resolutions.
Resoloed, 1. That it is the opinion of this committee that
in the expression of sentiments it is confined to the ques¬
tion for which it was organized to promote,namely,the im¬
provement of the Western Waterways as set forth and
declared by the resolutions and memorials of the River
conventions held at Quincy in 1879, at St. Louisin 1881,
and at Washington in 1884, which have already been
formally presented to Congress and to which this com¬
mittee again respectfully and earnestly' invites the at¬
tention of Senators and Members of the House.
2, The efforts of the Committee on Riversand Harbors
■Iii
to elevate the plans for the improvement of the naviga¬
ble waters of the eountiw above and beyond all questions
of section or politics, and to more intelligently, success¬
fully and economically expend the monies appropriated,
meets our most earnest and heart}^ approval.
3. That in view of the unprecedently large appropria¬
tions of foreign countries for water improvements
in the interest of cheap transport, this committee
deplore the seeming reluctance of many members of Con¬
gress to make even urgently necessary appropriations
for the same purpose. The result being a material loss,
and prospectiveh' a still greater loss in our cereal ex¬
ports.
4. That the President and Secretary of this committee
be empowered to invite representation upon this com¬
mittee from commercial and agricultural bodies favoring
O O
its objects, and that they are authorized from time to
time, to invite those who have labored in behalf of the
cause to meet and take a more active part in the de¬
liberation of this and future meetings of this committee.
5. That the thanks of this committee are due and are
hereby cordially tendered to the chairman and the mem¬
bers of the River Harbor Committee of the House of
Representatives for their courteous acceptance of the in¬
vitation to meet this committee in consultation, and for
their unqualified expressions of endorsement of the ef¬
forts of the "Executive Committee on the improvement
of the Western Waterway," and their recommendations
that the Executive Committee meet in Washington each
year to promote the objects intrusted to its care.
G. That the members of the committee on River and
Harbors who addressed the Executive Committee be re¬
quested to furnish a copy of their remarks for publica-
■27
tîon hl the proceedings of this session of the Executive
Committee.
7. That the address of the Secretary be published in
the proceedings as a declaration of sentiments of the
Executive Committee.
8. That iVe do cordially appreciate aud acknowledge
the broad and patriotic views expressed, and the impor¬
tant services rendered to the improvement of the water
ways of the west by the President of the United States,
in his oiBcial acts and declarations, from the time of his
accession to that high office^
That an official copy of these proceedings be sent to
the President, and the members of his cabinet..
That a copy also be sent to the President elect, Grover
Cleveland, whose sympathy and aid in these matters are
most earnestly asked by the people of the whole Missis¬
sippi Valley,
9. That the boards of trade, other commercial organiza¬
tions of the commercial centers of the Mississippi Valley
States beinvited to send delegates to celebrate "Improve¬
ment of the Western Water Ways Day" at the World's
Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition on a day
to be designated hereafter.
10. That the chairman of this committee be requested
to confer with the exposition board of management on
this subject and that the Secretary prepare and send
circular letters of invitation to the various parties in¬
terested.
11. That the resolution referred to your committee favor¬
ing reciprocity treaties with countries upon the Western
H eniisiffiere is a subject not considered as properly com
ing within the powers of this committee; yet it deeply
28
sympathizes with every eftbrt of our people and govern¬
ment to open up outlets for our products and promote
the interchange ofcornmodities with countries in southern
latitudes, which, at the same time carefully guards oiu'
own industrial interests.
12. That this eommittee listened with int erest to the re¬
marks made by Judge Reagan, of Texas, upon the im¬
provement of the Galveston harbor, and the resolution
read in accordance therewith, and respectfully report
that it considers the improvement of Galveston harbor,
as of great importance to commerce, and Worthy of Na
tional aid. But this committee is not prepated, were
it appropriate for it to do so, to recommend any specific
plan of improvement.
13. That the following extract from thememorial of the
Great River and Harbor Convention, held in Chicago,
in the year 1848, representing the people of the eighteen
States, written by the Hon. John C. Spencer of New
York, be adopted by the committee on the improve¬
ment of western Water way» as its appeal to-day to the
members of the 48th Congress,
"No man can cast his eye over the map of the United
States without being struck by the wonderful physical
adaptation of its surface to the union under one govern¬
ment of the people inhabiting it; a union that should
rest not so much upon constitutions and compacts as up¬
on social and commercial interests and feelings, as ex¬
pansive as the wants and affections of man, and as dura¬
ble as time. Reaching from ocean to ocean, extending
through the temperate into the torrid zone, it presents
such a variety of climate and Soil, such admirable pro-
yrortions of land and water, as afford an infinite diversity
of employment for labour and enterprise, .and must for-
evei* pi-event tbeir tindne absorption by any che ol' a feW
objects of culture, while they insure the production of
the various elenients of subsistence, clothing, and even
of luxurious indulgence, without resort to aU}' other
country. And no country on the face of the globe pre¬
sents greater capacities for the interehange of these pro¬
ductions. îiot to dwell on the wide spread expanse fed
and w^atered by the Mississippi and navigable cotifluents
where can be found a commercial parallel for its gigantic
course, reaching from the gulf of Mexico 2300 miles to
the north-west, where we behold one of its branches
within thirty miles of the river Iroquois, which empties
Into lake Superior; passing down the most extraordinary
chain of lakes in the known world, 1500 miles to the
St. I;awu'ence, and through that noble river 1000 riiiles;
we reach the ocean throui^h a circuit of 5000 miles^
These great conduits^-the Mississippi and the St. Law¬
rence—are supplied by innumerable streams intersecting
the whole country in every direction, which may be con¬
nected at various points with each other, or with other
navigable waters leading to the Atlantic, forming neW
circuits and channels, and affording water communica¬
tion to every portion of the Union, capable of bearing
freights more conducive to the prosperity of our people
than rivers of gold. Immense as this view is, it is buta
foretaste of what may be anticipated, wben the bound¬
less regions now opening in tbe west and soutu shall be
thronged with the myriads destined to occupy them.
As the true and sure foundation of all government is
the interests and affections of the people, what more
noble and boly duty remains to the statesman_than that
of completeiiig and perfecting what nature has begun,
and giving to our navigable waters their full political
so
power In binding together one brotherhood of free men?
By intercourse the most cheap and unrestrained, and by
that alone, can the intelligence and sentiments of the
country and he brought into contact, interest and af¬
fections commingled, mountains of prejudice removed)
and the genial spirit uf common sympathy he dift'used
throughout the land;
And shall this vast movement of commerce and inter»
course he checked and obstructed by shoals, bars, snags,
and driftwood, that are mere pigmy obstacles when com¬
pared with the resources of the United States, or with
the immense amount of trade which they clog and im¬
pede ?
VVe appeal then, to you, representatives of the people
of the states, to represent and reflect faithfully those
deep seated sentiments of that people, to satisfy their
just and reasonable wants, to consult their vital inter¬
ests, to perform a plan duty under the constitution, to
redeem the faith plighted at its adoption, and to pursue
firmly and steadily the path marked out by our wise and
patriotic fathers. We and those whom, we represent
ask not a r-ckless course of extravagant appropriations
for internal improvements. We deprecate it, not only
for its folly and wickedness, hut because it would he most
fatal to the continuance of just and reasonable expendi¬
tures. We are aware that the objects which will be pre¬
sented to our attention are numerous and various, but
this only proves how great and pressing is the necessity
of your action. Many of these objects are equally worthy
but there are some which, on account of the magnitude
of the commerce concerned, the difliculties and expenses
of the undertaking, or rather peculiar causes, may justly
challenge priority of consideration. Plans for the grad-
31
uaJ acconiplisbnient of the most important objects in just
and regular succession, by moderate appropriations, bave
been laid before Congress. Let these plans be pursued,
while promiscuous and desultory expenditures are care-
tully avoided.
Let the sanction of the disinterested, able, and scien¬
tific corps of ty-pograpbical engineers, already provided
for the purpose, be required to every plan of in)prove-
ment after thorough investigation of its merits, and let
rigid estimates ot all its expenses be submitted before it
be undertaken, that all may judge of the proportion be¬
tween its cost and its value.
And having thus provided the sure means of detecting
useless or frivolous projects, or those requiring inordi¬
nate expenditures, there can be no danger of combina¬
tions to execute them, which will not be met and over¬
come by the honesty, disinteredness, and intelligence ot
the American Congress. The people are willing to
trust their representatives—let not those rep)resentatives
exhibit to the world the spectacle of refusing to trust
themselves."
The resolutions were unanimously adopted.
The following resolution upion the death of Joseph
Gillespie was introduced by Mr. George L. Wright, and
adopted unanimously by a rising vote of the Committee.
Resolved, That the members of the "Executive Com¬
mittee on the improvement of the Western waterway"
have heard with profound regret of the death of Judge
Joseph Gillespie of Edwardsville Illinois. This com¬
mittee and all the people interested in the cause it rep¬
resents, knew Judge Gillesp)ie as a friend of internal
improvements; as the pioneer in the West of the great
doctrine of cheap water transportation, as one who con-
tribated throughout a long, active and honorable life, by
his writings and labors, as much as was possible, to the
creating of a public opinion in favor of national recogni¬
tions of the claims of the interior. And this committee
desires to express in public meeting, their high opin¬
ion of his great services, and their admiration of a life
devoted to the cause of the people of the Mississippi
Valley.
A resolution was passed making an assessment upon
the boards of trade of the Mississippi Valley to meet cur¬
rent expenses and to carry forward the work.
The following communication was received by the com¬
mittee, and referred to the President and Secretary for
reply to the same:
"Washington, D. C., Jamar¡j 13th, 1885.
To the President, Secretary and Members of the Executive
Committee "On. the Improvement of the Western Water-
Ways."
Gentlemen;—I am about to commence'the publication
of the " Exporter and Importer " in the city of Wash¬
ington.
As formerly pnblished in St. Louis, it \rill be a Monthly
Journal devoted to the Interests of Commerce.
The improvement of " Western Water Ways" under
the plans and policy of your Committee will be one of
the leading features, I therefore invite your best thought
in advocacy of the great cause you represent, in articles,
or by correspendence, from members of your Committee,
for publication in the columns of the " Exporter and Im¬
porter."
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
E. W. FOX.
33
E. W. Fox, Esq.,
Dear Sir:—The Committee are in receipt of your com¬
munication, announcing that you will publish hereafter
the " Exporter and Importer" inthecity of Washington,
Your paper as published in St. Louis was a faithful friend
of all internal improvements ; and especially the advo¬
cate of the improvement of the Western Water Ways.
Your announcement that you will continue to advocate
that policy east of the Alleghanies, is pleasing to this
Committee, and it believes that your publication will be
of great value to the commercial interests of the whole
country.
B. D. Wood, Chairman, '
Geo. L. Wright, Secretary.
A resolution was passed thanking Mr. 0. G. Staples,
proprietor of Willard's Hotel, for the acconmiodations
furnished and the courtesies extended to the Committee
while in session.
It was moved and carried that the following named
gentlemen be added to the list of othcers as vice presi¬
dents:
E. 0. Stanard, St. Louis, Wm. H. .Miller, Kansas City,
John C. Dore, Chicago, W. F. Phelps, Minnesota,
B. J. Stevens, Wisconsin, Eugene Underwood, Ken.,
Jas. M. Freeman, Colorado, R. F. Pettigrew, Dakota,
Logan H. Roots, Arkansas, John Levering, Indiana,
S. .\I. Clark, Keokuk, S. F. Xeely, Leavenworth,
E. Rosewater, Xebraska, Arthur Kirk, Pennsylvania,
A. S Colyar, Tennessee, John .McClure, W. Virginia.
F. C. .Vlorehead, Missis.sippi.
The Committee adjourned to meet at the call of the
President and Secretaiw.
B. D. Wood, President, New Orleans.
Michael .McEn.nis, '"reasœrer, St.' Louis.
George L. WUhght, Secretary.