East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1864-10-19
9aeaI atlatters.
p.saracerul and Disastrous.

. Disgraceful and Disastrous.
Low .fnEeprs Ann Low wAyrr.--In these
times Of low frcighis, shippers located in remote
phases have 10 resort 70 a variety Of schemes ia
order to accomplish their ends by inducing vcs-
sells through some sort Of devices, to give them
call. The first stop usually taken is-to visit De-
troit either in person or BY egent, and ofor what
would appear 10 be liberal rates, representing at
the same time the extraordinary facilities they
have at command, for giving the requisite dis
patch OF those Il V assumed a sufbciep NJ depth
~ water. tor II perrhance, a scaritY in this 70.
sport, cheap lighterage and towage, besides other
nnt.ering Inducements not necessary 10 mention.
IL Ia only necessary 20 add that vessels on arriv
ing IT the plaza Of shipment 6nd they have been
most ingenuousy taken in and done for, all Of
the above, statements being widely of tho marx.
nhfmany -undbn tofeach the-lurhter docks, ows
ing 10 formidable sand bars with but four or five
feet Of water thereon, and added 10 this the most
extravagant prices demanded for towing and
Lighting By way-Of conclusion wa haye il on
high authority, that these facts stand ont in bold
relief in the Saginaw locality, and that for some
time past such state ct things have actually ex-
isted We do not pretend 10 cast these reflections
ON all engaged in the traffic at che above points,
AZ We are aware there are thosetoo hghlminded
20 stoop TO such acts Yet that there are those
who carry out these receptions, we have no rea-
son to doubt.
The above from the commercial de-
partment Of the Detroit Free Press in
tended, no, doubt, solely forthis local
ity, may be in some respects an exag-
goration, but the allusion to the "for-
midable sand bars is too true, "and
pity tits, It's true"
As to the deceit alleged, whereby
unsophisticated vessel owners are
"talEen in and done for;S' we presume
there is some margin for discussion if
it was worth while to argue the ques-
ton, but there is no margin on tho
bars, as every decent sized craft which
attempts to navigate Saginaw river
discovers, to its sorrow. The bars are
a most efSeetual bar to to the trans
mission of freight without extra hand
ling from landings above zilwaukie
to any outside port; the upper block
ade is as complete as ii is disgraceful
and disastrous, and we are glad to no.
tice that our " situation " is attracting
the attention of the press, in leading
commercial localities
Who are to blame in this matter, is
purely home question. 1t may we'll
astonish disinterested, as it disgusts
interested observers everywhere to see
such APPARENT apathy and want of en-
terprise in regard to a matter of vital
Importance in community composed
of as intelligent and energetic bust
moss men as those doing business in
the blockaded district, but the matter
is easily explained. Some, who by
virtue of wealth, position, and in
fluence, should lead inthe matter, de
cline even to follow in liberal, de-
cent spirit; others, prominent and in
fluential for the same and additional
reasons, are crotchety, punctilious, ar
rogant and dictatorial as to mode and
manner, others, abundantly able to
aid refuse for no bettor reason than
because some obscure concern in the
vicinity refuses, and by this combina-
tion Of circumstances the life has been
squelched out Of every project as yet
designed. Those who can lead won't
lead, those who would lead have not
the vim and ability, and in oonso-
quence millions of dollars in capital
pay tribute to these formidable sand
bars" in a greater sum every year
than would be adequate to their e6ec-
tual removal.