The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-06-09
Tho e-.a. Material Grain Route.
from u. 81. Loul. pemocra,, lth.l

~ From the st. Louis Democrat 4thl 81 :
Through an oversight on our part we neglected
TO mention last Tuesday morning that another
cargo OF twebty-one thousand bushels of wheat
bad been put into one Of the Mississippi Valley
transportation company's barges on Monday,
and shipped direct to Liverpool. via New Orleans.
This cargo was shipped by Henry A. However &
Co. for account of Mr. Robson, of Winons MIMI.
who has pluck enough to try the Liverpool mar
ket in the face Of almost certain less. While we
rejoice to zee through grsinv moving steadily
forward over the great water route, yet We feel
sorry that there 10 so little chance for profit In
making ventures at this time. The Milwaukee
Wisconsin prints an article In a recent ISSUE In
which Il gracefully admits the fact that our claim
concerning the certainty that the grain Of the
Mississippi valley will Ultimately seek this water
route to the markets of the world Is good and
valid claim, and says:
There Is nothing more certain than that much
Of the produce west OF Lake Michigan seeking an
Eastern market, Is destined to float own the Mis-.
sissippi. unless something Is done to cheaper
transportation on existing routes. New York,
which Is TO be loser of millions by this diversion
Of trade, must look TO her communication with
the lakes. The Erie canal should be deepened
end ifs capacity increased so as 70 permit the
through passage Of lake vessels without breaking
bulf. This is Der only hope. II she fails 10
awaken TO the necessity Of doing something to
retain her monopoly Of the Western traffic, then
we must look to the improvement OF the great
OIs
renee, and thus reluctantly contribute wealth to
Montreal, which we would gladly give 10 our own
metropolis. We have little hope from the In
creased railroad facIlities for unless some means
o. materially lessening the running expenses be
compete with lines Of navigable water.
Milwaukee has everything at stake in this mat
ter. but as our special interests, like our geo.
graphical position, Is but point on the map Of
the great northwest, we have no reason to ex-
pect our proud position as the greatest primary
wheat market Of the world to be maintained, ex.
cept BY retaining the flow Of eastward bound
traffic IN its present channels. Our chamber of
commerce have not exaggerated the disastrous
the grain traffic to the Mississippi river. II Is,
therefore. best to meet the issue fairly and
squsreiy; determine what, II anything lies In our
power, 20 do avert the danger. and to put forth
efforts commensurate with the interests at stake
TO consummate such improvements 10 present
routes OF transportation as shall render 10 desira-
bic for the people Of the northwest TO continue to
use them IN sending their products to Eastern
= OF course, as o matter of local concern. we
should dislike 70 see the traffic of the West al.
verted from its present channels to the sea: Int
know that the only question of interest 70 the peo-
pie OF the Northwest Is how can they get their
products TO Eastern and European markets at the
least expense The cheapest route, whether by
rail or river, to them the best. II they can send
their grain ct lower rates by the river they will.
81 matter Of course patronize that route, what.
ever sectional interest may be damaged thereby,
and no one has any right to complain. Recent
shipment Of corn IN bulk via New Orleans,
reached New York In eighteen days, at cost Of
az cents per bushel. That demonstrates what can
be done with existing facilities, and with nsviga-
ton improvements and greater conveniences for
shipping, handling and storage, which win soon be
provided. me advantages Of that outlet for West
ern produce. may well excite the Jealous an prs.
hsnsions Of TIE raihosd, lake and canal interests
u he central routs 70 the Atlantic. ID