DIVIDED COUNSELS. 289 



of the House of Representatives to vote for the bill now pending 

 for the improvement of that river, as it will give our State abso 

 lutely into the hands of the people. 



Resolved, That we demand of Congress a repeal of all laws pre 

 venting the competition of small vessels, which may choose to en 

 gage in the carrying trade on our inland lakes between ports in the 

 United States, without regard to nationality. 



Resolved, That we are in favor of the immediate repeal of the 

 protective duties on iron, steel, lumber, and all materials which en 

 ter into the construction of railroad cars, steamships, sailing ves 

 sels, agricultural implements, etc., and that we urge upon Congress 

 immediate action for this purpose, that cheap railroads and cheap 

 ships are necessary to cheap freights ; and that we invite the railroad 

 companies to co-operate with us to that end. 



DIVIDED COUNSELS. 



In the debate which arose upon the resolutions, it became 

 apparent that the friends of free trade and of protection 

 were about equally represented. A long discussion of a 

 disorderly character took place, and various expedients were 

 resorted to for the purpose of impeding action. One delegate 

 said that party wire-pullers were at work to use the Con 

 vention to forward local improvements, and for political 

 purposes. Finally, the resolutions were taken separately, 

 and passed unanimously, until the question of passes to 

 legislators and other government officers came up. This 

 brought on an excited debate. It was passed, however, 

 with an addition that tbe Legislature was requested to en 

 act a law restricting members pay to tbe time when actually 

 in service. The resolution relating to the Illinois River 

 was laid on the table amid much excitement. The tariff 

 resolution was objected to, as being a side issue and not 

 connected with the objects of the Convention. The meeting 

 13 



