The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-01-01

On the motion to accept the majority report, the
yeas and nays were:
John.on. Hooper Mccormick. sewel, Stewards.
Rss.sw sSss si swsa'on MARKS a0n'n'e fn'''
Yancey not voting.
The report of the minority was then accepted,
which declares that J. r. Beard is not legally
qualified.
The Council then adjourned to Monday next.
The Louisville and Portland Canal.
Mr.. Benton Introduced bill for ihs purchase Of
the remaining shares of the Canal, with view to
the reduction Of the tolls to the amount of absolute
expenditures As usual with Mr.. Benton, where
hispassions do not come into play, he gives full
history of the work. 1t is most oaerous tax or
the commerce of the Western waters, and we con-
dense his statement, that our citizens, who are so
deeply interested in the navigation of the rivers,
mar fully understand the nature and amount of the
imposition:
The whole capital stock of the company is one
million Of dollars divided into 10 GEO shares Of 800
each. OF this stock the United States took 1902
shares, amounting to 1898 500 and, up to January,
1872 Jeceived in tolls the sum of S257, 779--bsing
S2i 278 more than the amount invested in the stock
the only instance, perhaps, in which the United
States ever made money by going into profit and
loss operations; aud a case in which the Federal
Government should be ashamed of its profits.
In 1912, a change was effected, by which all the
profits were devoted to the purchase of the stock
but allowing the holders six per cent per annum to
be added to the value of each share. Up to Janu.
ary 1885, 1850 shares have been bought that date,
and 400 On JAM l, 1S50-leaving only 1850 shares.
The bill of Mr.. Benton proposes the purchase OF
these shares at $780, being SEQ less than their value
by the arrangement of 1912. The amount of the
appropriation will be $780, 00 The tax is enor-
nous. Fifty cents ton on each passage of boat
loaded or empty. Boats running between st. Louis
and the cities on the Ohio are Of about TWO hun
dred tons. They pay 500 each time they pass.
Their voyages are weekly and they pass twice a
week for about forty weeks-ony $4,000 toll--halj
the value of the boat. Those in the New Orleans
trade are Of larger size and pass less frequently
This serves as direct tax, increasing the expense
of shipments via New Orleans, and aiding to diver,
commerce from this city.
Mr. Benton furnishes this table of the expenses
connected with the foreign commerce., and urges the
claims of the Internal trade to some favor:
The estimated for the support of the navy-chey
ke for the protection OF foreign CONNIE &C. and for de-
ns year W 81 for saHpom Of bs the
,hmen e estimates are b. and lighting si9as 81
boas ts5sl5 "A ,qI sxoene, oi beacons and bnoys
US W. tor am ua sssries of lighthouse keepers l9
Tor compile m OF lighthouses SG3 o. Support mri-,eI
and consus S1oJ; support OF seaen abroad Sl2 f0
e coast survey SoOOD for continuing tr ak
water S5VU besides $3.50 90 begin it, and five preyiou.
cor atoms OF s200oO $4,000, Sl0Ov0 $40 lO0 and
To obviae all other objections ana to satisfy the ,ncs
scrnpu Gus either on the pot OF money the constitution
ydends pad mo the ireasury before 1874 the sum OF s7
., being $A 70 more u tie ST ok hers ard Thai the
State oil Kentucky the condition OF making the cana
ireeeheept Tor IL expenses-hs by legislative aut vested
the Jurisdiction OF 'h= canal in the Unled states
Mr.. Davis of Mississippi, at once opposed the bill
on constitutional grounds. If Congress is to make
any improvement, it should be in the river owe,
which 1t has jurisdiction. The million already 4.
pended for the canal is TO be thrown away, and ,
less feasible plan of improvement is to be executed
to avoid giving offence to the tender conscience OF
this Nullifer and Secessonist, whose last public
act in his own State has been to advise military
preparation for secession.
Would it not be we'll for the merchants here en-.
gagged in the Western trade to memoralize Con
gress on the subject! There seems 10 be a desire
on the part OF both Houses to make up for los. time
by close attention to business of a practical char.
acter. Let the influence of NewOreans be brough,
TO bear On this important subject.