On 13th, 14th and 15th Days of May, 1873. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. D. H. MACADAM, SECRETARY. ST. LOUIS: Woodward, Tiernan & Hale, Steam Printers and Binders. 1873. INTRODUCTION. HE Congressional Convention, the proceedings of which are published in this volume, originated among the Merchants of the City of St. Louis, and was suggested by their practical knowledge of the needs of the South and West, for improved and extended lines of water transportation to the sea-board: The deepening and protection of the channel of the Mississippi River at various points, the removal of the bars at the Balize, and the advancement of certain important Canal lines now in course of construction or in contemplation, constituted the principal objects in view. As these enterprises involve the interests, not merely of the City of St. Louis, but the Mississippi Valley, and, indeed, of the entire Country, the idea of the Convention, although local in its origin, was entirely National in its spirit and purpose. The members of both Houses of Congress and the Governors of the States were invited to form the Convention, in the hope of securing their co-operation towards obtaining such legislation in future as would advance the objects stated, and thereby the general welfare and commercial interests of the whole country: Preliminary Arrangements for the Convention. The Executive Committee appointed to make the necessary arrangements for the Convention, adopted the following form of invitation, which was transmitted to the members of both Houses of the Forty-Third Congress, the President of the United States, the members of the Cabinet, and the Governors of States. Form of Invitation. CONGRESSIONAL CONVENTION, TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF ST. LOUIS, MO., MAY 13th, 1873. HON.. Dear Sir: ST. LOUIS, April 23th, 1873. You are respectfully and earnestly invited to attend a Convention of members of both Houses of Congress, to be held in this city, commencing on the 13th day of May, next, at 12 o'clock, M., at which time it is proposed to lay before you the Agricultural, Manufacturing and Commercial needs of the West and South, in the hope of thereby securing your co-operation towards obtaining such National Legislation, as will insure the improvement of the present, and the opening up of new, Water Lines of Transportation to the Seaboard. You are respectfully requested to inform the President of the Executive Committee, as soon as convenient, if you can accept this invitation. All members of the Convention will be the guests of the City of St. Louis. Respectfully, JOSEPH BROWN, Mayor and President of Executive Committee S. H. LAFLIN, E. D. JONES, MILES SELLS, JNO. A. SCUDDER. |