True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-11-25
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1889.
A NEW CUSTOM uQIlSE

1t had been fondy hoped by our merchants, and
by all those who feel pride in the beatty and im
provement of our city, that the AZ preaching ses-
sion OF Congress would provide for tho erection of
a new Custom House, on tho square of ground
where the old one is now situated No location is
moro fit Near the centre of tho commercial pops
uaton, on the way to and from the shi ping. it. is
convenient both to the merchants and to the mas
tets of ships sp endid building on that square
would really be an ornament to the CT Y. From
ting on the Levcc, it would command thcatte ntion
Of every stranger, and would aptly adorn the fine
crescent presented by the curve Of the Mississppi
at this place. As regards real utility, it will also
be admitted that new Custom House is necessary
The increasing commerce ofour city requires OK
tensvc Government Store Houses, aud a larper
place than is afforded for the keeping of goods
which must remain in the Customs for a limited
period OF time. The old barn, which now answers
the purpose, is disgrace to the city, and The Co
vornmcnt Of the United Status and the impropri-
ETY., nay injustice Of negecting the erection of such
a building as VIC speak Of is still moro cviden,
when we rccur to the immense revenue derived by
s.
Millions are poured into the Golfers of the S ub.
trcasurers from the duties collected at this port
but, alas ! they will not leave enough to build Il
decent Treasury house, at tho place from which
they get SO much money.
But after all, perhaps, portion Of our city should
be US much blamed as the Government itself, for
the remissncss which has been shown on this sub
icct. Instead of seeking to encourage the Govern.
ment to the work, the first Municipality sets up an
untoundcd claim TO the full ownership of the square
between Canal, Custom house, Old and New Le-
wee streets That Municipality has momoriAlizcd
Congress on the snbjee-appoihted agent to
prosecute it's claim before that body-preparcd
every thing in an artfu! and secret way to steal
march on the commercial interests of the city, and
make Congress believe in their false pretonsio,s
tWhen these admitted, they expect to sell tho
square into lots for stores, pocket the proceeds,
replcnish their empty treasury, and patch up their
delapdated finances. How successful that agent
will be in his lobby membership, at the approach
ing session of Congress, we arc unable to devise,
wo do not know that it is an easy task to make
members Of Congress eat brckbats and stones with
mud sauce for puddings; but we know thai if they
do justice to the General Government, as we'll as to
the commerce of New Orleans, they will brush
aside tho Delegate; and pass an act to provide
for the construction Of new Custom House on
the square so absurdly claimed by Municipality
number one.
As regards the title Of that Municipality to the
ground let it suffice, for the present, to say, that it
was fully investigated in the famous suit of the
United States versus the City of New Orleans, de-
cided by the Supreme Cont of the United States,
and reported in Peters 10Th Volume, page 662.-
There it conclusively shown and decided that
the old quay of the City was dedicated to public
use and, tmoug hout The whole argument, it ap-
pears that the general government is entitled by
prescription 10 the usufruct of a portion of the
ground for Custom House. This point on til,
argument of the case, tacitly conceded by al
parties and by the court, and concusivclv demon
stratca by attorney general Butler, in his able ar
gument. Municipality No. l, must be hard pushed
indeed for cash TO attempt desperate chance
but they who falling catch at every straw,
however weak, such is human nature The Mu.
nicpality might US well take ticket in one of the
Grand Real Estate Lotteries; we think its chance
of making fortune, and getting out Of the scrapc
would then be much better than in an effort to
CANNON the general government out of its just
rights.
1t is to be hoped that our representatives, il,
Congress, will give no countenunce to the preten'
sions Of the Municipality, and will prusuc the even
tenor Of their duty to the true interests of city
and its population. petition counter to that Of
Municipality No. would not be inappropriate.