Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-11-19

enriching the whole State by the impetus
which will be given to agriculture as
we'll as to mining and manufactures; and
WHEREAS, Through the influence of
our Representatives in this behalf, the
Fortieth Congress has appropriated
sufficient amount OF money TO remove all
the impediments to the navigation of the
Tennessee river between Chattanooga
and it's mouth, except those commonly
known as the Muscle Shoals, which
money is now being judiciously ex-
pended under the direction of United
States Engineer; and
WHEREAS, 1t is essential to the welfare
of Tennessee, in common with the other
States bordering upon or traversed by
he Tennessee river, that these shoals
should be made navigable, and when this
is done the appropriations already made
will have been spent in vain; therefore
Be il resolred by the General As
sembly of the State of Tennessee, That
our Senators and Representatives, in
Congress be respectfully requested to lay
before Congress the magnitude of the
interests involved in the opening
of the Tennessee river, and to secure
from ths, body, if possible, such sppro-
priations as the estimate of the United
States Engineer in charge of the i'm
provement Of the Tennessee river may
recommend as necessary to obviate the
existing impediments to navigation at
and in the vicinity of Muscle Shoals
Be it, further resolred, That upon the
adoption of these resolutions the Secrs-
tary of State is hereby directed to for
ward copy of the same to each one Of
our Senators and Representatives in
Congress,
This resolution will undoubtedly pass
the House on Monday without opposition,
and we are glad to see a manifestation
upon the part of the Legislature favora-
BILE to this to Tennessee most important
measure of internal improvement, the
more so as Nashville is particularly in
terested in the removal of the existing
obslructions to navigation at Muscle
Shoals. The completion Of the Nash
Vile and Decatur railroad to Eyton is
no longer a matter of doubt, and the
opening of the Tennessee river to navi-
cation will necessarily greatly increase
the business of that road, besidesadding
to the country tributary to Nashville.
The work of expending the sppropri-
ations already made for this river, which
are sufficient to snnihilate the terrors
of the "Suck," Pot" and other OBJ
structious in the upper river, is under the
control of Gen. Weitzel, one of the most
efficient officers of the United States
Corps of Eogineers, while the immedi-
ate superintendent of the Tennessee
river improvement is confded to Col W.
B. Cav, one of the best known and most
competent civil engineers in the South
The reputation of these gentlemen is
sufficient guaranty that the work will be
well done, and should give their rscom-
mendatons and estimates great weight
with Congress.
Except the Mississippi, there is no
river whose improvement would be more
of national benefit than the Tennessee,
which, if made navigable at all seasons,
as the report Of its survey demonstrates
it can be, at a small expense in compari-
son with the returns to be derived,
would assume an Importance as grand
artery of internal commerce second to
no other tributary to that great inland
seattle Father of Waters.