 The issue of improving navigation along the Kentucky River was raised numerous times by Representative James Blue during the 1876 legislative session . Despite Blue 's promises of manifold benefits to the state from such an investment , parsimonious legislators defeated a bill allocating funds for the improvements . The issue gained traction with some voters during the biennial legislative elections , however , which brought it back to the floor in the 1878 session . Prompted by recommendations from the Kentucky River Navigation Convention in 1877 , McCreary abandoned his typical fiscal conservatism and joined the calls for improvements along the river . In response , legislators passed a largely ineffective bill providing that , if funds could be raised through special taxes in districts along the river , the state would provide the funds to maintain the improvements . 
