Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1856-05-28


We nfc indebted to Hon. L. n. KxxxETf, n.
G. Of ST Louis DISTRICT, for copy of the report
OF the House Committee on Commerce, OF which
be ID d member, on the important subject Of the
Improvement Of the navigation Of Western rv-
efs.
II Is amazing TO think Of the neglect of West
ern Commerce By the American Congress, which
has long been the settled policy of the dominant
Democratic party. The .disgraeeful and OPP
pressive discrimination, in favor of ocean COM
meree, in behalf of salt water and Atlantic sea
board merchants and operators, Is one of the
most remarkable instances of INEQUALITY and IN
Justice that ever marked any Democratic Repub-
Gcan Government.
The Atlantic coast from Maine 10 Florida, and
the Gull coast Of Mexico, have been accurately
surveyed, marked by buoys, and protected by
light houses. Harbors have been prepared at the
cost of Millions for joreisn commerce to ride in,
and coasdeonmerce to take its departure from
The driving of one vessel upon reef, and the
loss of one cargo and one life, off the Jersey
coast, is enough TO excite the country, and to
stir Congress- to heavy appropriations for blast
ing out the reef, and for Iife-boats. and coast
buildings, with fuel, food, physicians and nurs-
to render aid to any unfortunate navigators, who
may be cast upon our shores.
But what value has life on the Atlantic
greater than a life On the Mississippi or Mis-
souri, Eiyerss And what greater loss to the
country, if a man is reduced 20 beggary, by los
ing his boat and cargo off the Jersey coast, or
q Western pioneer boatman finds himself and
family deprived Of their whole support BY the
| snagging and sinking of Mississippi steam
boat?
Why the unnatural, the unreasonable, the un-
| Just fayoritism between American citizens
| whereby the Eastern classes are protected, and
the Western classes neglected, and ruined with
out remorse? 1t is anti-Republcan, anti Demo-
cratic, tits utterly Infamous, the past policy Of
the Federal Government, towards Western navi-
CATION interests. 1t is enough to make the
breast of every Western man burn with indig-
nation to reflect upon the step-mother neglect
and cruelty that have marked the course OF
Congress, but chiefly narrow-minded Eastern
Presidents, in regard to Western navigation in
| terests.
| For years we have had no Federal care over
| Western rivers. Mr.. Pierce sold the last OF the
snag-boats, from which we used to get some pro-
| lection. We are now at the mercy of snags,
sand-bars, and floods. A pioneer boatman or
merchant may gill his craft with the hard-earned
product of Western farmers. Their whole years
wealth may be embarked ON the turbid bosom
! of the Missouri. They must either pay enor-
mously for insurance, or run the risk OF losing
the whole by the sinking boat, all unheeded by
| Congress, who nevertheless claim these water
! highways as the nations franchises. But let
this same produce reach the seaboard-let a
New York or European SPECTATOR get it
perhaps some sharp agent of European king
Graf, and then let the rich purchaser lose the
cargo on Jersey reef, then indeed is Congress
moved to action, Presidents warm up in favor of
coast surveys and lighthouses to protect com
merce, and the Federal Treasury opens its pom
derous doors to give gold to save the Atlantic
spectators!
We know that a day is coming when the infa-
my ofsuch distinction against American citizens
will be suppressed, and more equal and Demo.
cratic doctrine prevail. 1t wonld have prevail
ed long since, but for the sycophancy and de.
pendence ofWestern politicians, who are always
expecting too much for their own dear selves and
families, to dare ask anything for popular West
ern rights
| We are glad Mr.. Kennett is on the Committee
of Commerce. MIR. X. knows well the deep gricv.
ance ofhis constituents, and Western citizens gen.
orally, in the matter of which we write We hope
he may awaken one spark ofindependence and
determination among Western Congressman, and
get them to go with him in demanding prompt
and permanent justice to the West.-St Louis
lnteliigencer.