Washington telegraph., 1854-03-29
Red River Raft.
Col. J. B. Giimer's Proposition.


F Col. J. b. dinners Proposition.
We have for years been advocating, with
what little ability we possess, the removal Of
the great Raft in Red River We have not
been influenced by any single or selfish o.
ject in our advocacy of the measure. We
have considered, first, the immense adyan-
tages which would result to the settlers
above that obstruction. in affording them
communication with their market. access to
which is only attainable through Red River;
secondly, the great national benefits which
would flow from it. in the enhancement OF
the value Of its territory, and the increased
facilities for the transportation Of troops and
supplies-operating contingently in an annu-
al saving to the national treasury Of nearly
$4,000, and lastly, we have spcculated up
on the probable, and almost certain advan-
tages which. not only Shreveport, but the
whole Red River country below the Raft,
would derive in the shipment Of many such
supplies as we are now forced to procure
from the Mississippi. For, we feel assured,
not only from reasoning, but from the testi-
mony of those whom observation has provl-
ded with the facts, that the country lying
within the Red River valley above the raft
for hundreds of miles. is admirably adapted
to the cultivation of wheat and corn, but the
production of which is contravened by the
total absence of market market for
these productions, and further for pork and
bacon, would be created by the opening Of
the navigation, by the enlargement Of the
channel and its freedom from such ohstruc-
tions as are calculated to interfere with fiat
boating.
We have favored the removal of the raft
as the only means which, TO our comprehen-
sion, could be practically adopted for the
attainment Of the coveted end. We have
favored it in great degree from the force Of
habit, and without troubling ourself with
the investigation of other measures directed
to the same object, yet while we lave clung
to the idea which has been kept alive BY the
past acts of the government, and by the ap-
preparation now suspended for the want Of
contractor to meet and accomplish its OBJ
iect, we have not been so indissJlubly we'd
ded to the old system, but that our mind
could imbibe a fresh one-and repudiate, if
circumstances demanded it, the one to which
we have so long clung-p provided it foreshad-
owed success.
The more VIC compare the plan Of the
government with that of Colonel JAMES B.
GILMER. the more we are disposed to aban-
don that of the former and adopt that Of the
latter In short, in the face of all the facts
connected with the government plan, in the
face of the difficulties which have cncom-
passed. and still encompass it, nay, in the
very face of the fact that no man can be
found in the whole United States who will
undertake the work required, for the appro-
p:iation made, we see no merit in adhering
to it simply for the sake of an imagined
consistency, and declare ourself hencefor-
ward the supporter of the proposition of
Col. Gilmer. That gentleman has offered,
and his offer is still before the proper de-
partment at Washington, to make good and
permanent navigation through the raft re-
gion for the amount appropriated for the re-
moval of the raft. and to bind himself in
bond of 100000 to make good his con-
tract. No one can say that navigation, easy
and permanent is not the only aesideratum;
it is all that the people above demand, and
it is all the Government has sought to
achieve
Not long since we were informed that the
raft is at this time fifteen miles long we
were assured, few days since, that it j.
TWENTY miles long. In the most favorable
light, it is stupendous work, and cxPeri-
ence has fully proven that its magnitude j.
sufficient to appal the heart Of the stoutest
undertaken and put his calculations totally
at fault. Let the original, impracticable
project be abandoned, and let the govern
ment adopt the one proposed by Col. Gil
mer, and we feel confident that the great
and much desired object will be accomplish
ed. lShrereport Gazette.