Washington telegraph., 1849-02-28
RED RIVER RAFT.


O'Neal, ard number of Planters of Red
River, who have subscribed thereto, for
the removal of the obstruction to the
navigation of Red River. BY this agree
ment, the sum of eighty thousand dollars
is to be raised by voluntary subscription,
thirty thousand of which, is to be apprO-
priated to tie removal of the present ac-
cumulation of drift, and fifty thousand dol
lars, to keep the navigation open and free
from raft obstruction for five years. The
obstruction now in the river, is to be d-
vided into five equal sections, and the
subscribers are to select from among them
selves, Commissioners to superintend the
work, upon whose certificate, when Sec
ton is removed, the contractor is to re-
ceive one-ffth of the $4,000 appropriated
for that purpose. 1t is not contemplated
to make any permanent improvent in the
channel of the river, through the raft re-
gion, but simply to clear out the present
obstruction, and to remove the drift as it
| accumulates hereafter, for five years.
AS this; matter is altogether between
the contracting parties, we have no right
voluntarily to intrude our opinion but as
our views have been asked, we unhesi-
tatingly give them.
In the first place, we view the work as
altogether national in its character, and
which it is the duty of the General Gov
ment to complete, believing that private
enterprise will be found inadequate to the
task, unless coupled with corporate
privileges. But we are told that we have
waited on the Government long enough.
| True, we have waited long time, and
! might continue to do so, as long as the
Executive Veto is interposed. Every one
| feeling an interest in this matter, knows
that the eighty thousand dollars appro-
priated for this work, a few years ago,
was lost by the Veto of President Polk,
while no one would think of contending
that General Taylor would veto similar
bill. This very question was thoroughly
canvassed thro ughout the Presidential
contest just closed, and has been decided
bv the people at the ballot box. AS an
humble member of the great Whig party
of the Union, we battled for this very
principle-the Democratic party denied
the right of Congress to make appropria-
tlons for purposes of internal improve
ments-the Wings claimed that Congress
had authority to make appropriations for
such purposes-and General Taylor open
ly declared, that as regards the improve
nrent of our rivers and harbors, the will
of the people, as expressed through their
representatives, ought to be respected and
carried out by the Executive. Those who
advocated the right OF Congress to make
appropriations for internal improvement
purposes, have been successful, and it is
fair to presume that they will carry this
principle into effect. Should they fail, it
will then be time enough for individuals
to take the matter in hand, bat under a
different and better guarded contract than
the one shown us. AS it now stands, 1t
is not likely to result in any permanent
good.
In the next place, we think the amount
agreed to be paid for the removal Of the
drift. already accumulated, exorbitantly
high. 1t could, no doubt, be done for
two-thirds, if not half Of the amount
Another objection to the proposed plan, is,
that there is no forfeit ON the part of the
contractor. Suppose he should 90 Oh and
remove the first and second sections, or
even the whole of the obstruction, receive
his two-ffths, or the whole amount of the
S3O,O 900 appropriated for that purpose,
and then find it Improbable to keep
open the navigation, and prevent re-
accumulation of drift for $4,000 per an
! num-W hat would be the consequences
! Would he, by this contract, forfeit any
thing? Nothing but the work, which
he might probably be glad to get rid of on
such terms. What benefit would be de-
rived from a removal of the present OBJ
struction, unless there was some prospect
of keeping the navigation open! Mos;
assuredIv none. Are there any of them
who would contribute single dollar 10
remove the raft, without some surety that
the navigation would be kept open? We