The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-12-12
Sings I'm the Mississippi.

New Orleans. - The editor obtains some in
formation relative 10 the number of snags be-
tween these points-snags which are known
10 pilots, and which must be avoided by them
in conducting their boats safely down the
channel. New, dear reader we ask with the
Louisville Journal" how many of these
boat-piercers are there, think you, between
Cairo and New Orleans? Six2 More. Six
ty? More. Six hundred2 Not enough
Six thousand? At least. Think of that,
gentlemen representatives, who vote for the
interests Of this valley in Congress Six
thousand hidden and half hidden property
and life destroyers OH the great highway Of
six millions OF people!"
Aud this estimate is low-six to the mile is
low. Thirty-six places between Cairo and
New Orleans are remarkable for being par
tlcularly dangerous-u for navigation at
all times. and almost impossible at nights
Now what amount o! property-what num-
Der oi'lives-do you think are exposed to these
dangers which are within the power Of our
Government to remove?
We extract from the above mentioned pa
per:
The number OF steamboats, passing daily
by every point between Cairo AID New Or
leans will average between fifteen and TWEEN
~. The boats and their lreights will doubt
less average ove- $4,000 eacll-or altoecrh-
or over half "A million OF dollars. The crews
and passengers would exceed thousand-
Every obstruction or peril within the points
named is ii daily obstruction and peril to half
a million dollars worth of properly and to a
thousand persons.
"Oi all the dangers to which boat is la
Die that OF running on a snag is probably the
worst. Il ledge of rocks could be avoided.
because It's place is always the same. The
sand bars changed 10 be sure. bu, The
boat that grounds OH bar can generally be
got eli with a rise in ,he river, aud there is no
danger OF HE and but little loss of property
But these snags are sometimes above water
and sometimes below; sometimes in one place
aud sometimes in another. No care is suiIi-
Gent TO guard against tlem-uo strength oil
material is sufficient 10 resist them"
Think OF this, you who doubt whether APP
preparations should be made by the General
Govcrnmet for the Improvement of our riv-
ers. DO you suppose the States along the
river will ever tax themselves 10 remove
these Instructions? The Journal remarks
That Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi, are
strong Democratic States. Has there been
in the Legislature OF either u single PROPOSE
ton to do this work Has single Demo
cratic Representative ever dared to increase
the taxes In his Stale for this purpose q
Every body knows that il the Instructions
are ever removed, the work must be done by
The General Government, and every body
ought TO know that the navigation OF the riv-
er Is now as bad rs when tie first broad
horn " descended the river.
May We not say the same ofour own beau
ti!ui Ohio The dangers of navigating il are
not SO great as in tie Mississippi, but still
there are Instructions which loudly demand
the assistance OF Government for their reno
val. Why. we have stated the fac; that there
is one snag ut Hurricane Island, by striking
which two fine steamers, the Fashion and
Republic, were sunk, and over one hundred
thousand dollars worth of property lost by
the wrecking of fatboats-all by one snag,
and all in one season. Think of that Old snag.
Messrs. Representatives, while you are leg
stating Tor your country, and let it secure at
least one good vote from you all for Tie reno
val OF it and kindred spirits o! evil hidden be-
meath the waters Of; this beautiful stream. and
the turbid tides OF the Alississippi.
II is said to be policy in some seaboard
members of Congress TO view with great com
pldcency the distractions in our river naviIa-
ton and commerce, bee luSe they help build
Eastern railroads connecting this valley witt,
the seaboard. Let our Representatives then.
as suggests the Journal, ii this be the game,
oppose every appropriation for Il lighthouse.
oreakwater. buoy or chat, from Passport 10
Pensacola-and let the people who have to
peril HE ana property OH our great rivers,
give their representatives no peace until our
grievances IN this respect are redressei.