The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-05
CITY INTELLIGRNC
IRON SHIP BUILDING.
The Delaware as n Site for their CONSTRUCTION
The (bDiuiou of Admiral Porter

The Opinion of Admiral Porter
At the late session of the Legislature bill
was passed Incorporating the International
Steamship Company, which still remains in the
possession of Governor Geary. The obj ect of
this corporation was the construction of an Inn
mense ship-yard on the Delaware for the build
ing of iron ships. Quite number of these
yards have already been established in the vi
cnity of Chester. There is still room for twice
as many more, and there is no reason why the
Delaware should not become to the United
States what the Clyde is to Great Britain. On
that river-the Clyde-several such establish
nents employ each five or six thousand men,
and some of these have been built at cost of
million pounds sterling. 1t Is such works that
have made England the great ship-building
mart of the world, and will continue until we
rival then to give her the commercial supre-
macy to which we are entitled by cur position,
resources and national power.
The opinion of Admiral Porter was asked as
to the location, and in reply he forwarded the
following communication
WASHINGTON, April 49, 1s1O.-My Dear Friend:-
I have just read the letter OF Mr.. Ambrose Thomp-
son, President OF tae International Steamship Com
pany, on the subject OF IRON ship building. think
his plan is feasible though there seems no reason
why a company of that Kind should 90 to such ex
pense in making what he calls "defensible docks"
The Delaware is the most defensible river in the
world. In twenty-fOur hours, with half the iron
cads have in Philadelphia, it could be made i'm
possible for any feet TO pass.
Chester, or the banks OF the river above Chester,
is the very best location in the United States for the
works proposed as there is much deep water 1t is
IL
large city, without being subject to its onerous
taxation. Besides this, the ice does not run into
Chester, but generally keeps the other side Of the
river All you want are docks, and wooden ones
such would cost not over 100000 each.
Inere Is golng W pe an Inhense Ousi1ess uone ny
is awakening to the necessity OF rescuing our COM
merce from the hands OF the English, and must
necessarily from year to year grant liberal draw
backs and subsidies until we cvB stand on our legs
again. Yours, very truly, DAVID D. PORTER
LOCAL ODDS AND ENDs.-How many insu-
rance and banking company charters have been
disposed of at the Legislative junk shop on
South Fourth street?
"A fresh lot of the country Representatives
came to town yesterday, and, judging by their
condition towards evening, they must have
reaped q harvest during the day.
-Ex-State Treasurer Mackey, who has been
In the city for few days, left for his home in
Pittsburg last night.
Legislator Stokes carries the Tenth ward in
his pocket. At least he thinks, but the
chances are he'll know differently on Tuesday,
June ID.
-Connell looks as though he felt uncomfort-
able under the terrible load which he is carrying
Our Assistant QUartermaster-Genera will
awake some morning to find that bonfire has
been made of the frame buildings attached to
the Grays Ferry Arsenal.
The darkest street in Philadelphia after
night is NortE Broad street.
That portien of the city west of the Schuyl-
kill looks charming.
The City Fathers should look after the con-
dltl0n OF tne roadway ON une DarDy ROAD
The Northern Home Anniversary comes off
at the Academy of Music this evening, COM
mencing at a quarter to precisely. The house
will be crowded.
Smith, of the Twenty-second, poor fellow!
has lost several pounds since Johnny Hill gained
the victory
Our city fathers meet again to-day. We
suppose we shall hear something" relative to
the ''caboose" adjoining the Mayors office.
William s. Stokley is working earnestly
for the Mayoralty. SO is General Wagner M.
Hall Stanton is also busy. Query-Why are
Mr.. Stanton and the esquire" SO often seen
together?
Lieutenant Pritchard luxuriates in ideness,
whilst an honest officer pines in dungeon
through the stupidity of the official. Mayor
Fox should act at once.
The citizens OF the Twenty-secOnd ward are
tired of the laborious services of Hong, Harmer,
Taylor, Keyser q Co., and intend making q
radical change. Good
Joshua Spering wants to 60 to the Legisla-
ture from the Eighth district.
Every day brings to the surface some new
special officer. Would his Honor be good
enough to let the public know just how many of
these abolished sinecures exist3
Detective Mcguire o believes in rotation in
office-that is, rotation out of the Tax into the
Police Department. Qnery-How many of thu
Police bill assessments did he pay?
The trot yesterday, at Suffolk, between
Rocket and Belle, was one-sided affair in
favor of Belle.
Isaiah Weir who considers the speech made
by Fred. Douglass, on the 26th inst, as an ema-
nation of infidelity, challenges that gentleman
to q debate on the subject
The eighteenth anniversary OF the Northern
Home for Friendless Children and Soldiers
Orphans Institute will be celebrated at the
Academy this evening" the exercises commenc-
ing at quarter to o'clock precisely.
The total amount contributed in aid OF the
Richmond sufferers thus far Is $337S25.
The people of Germantown think more of
Marshall G. Hong as carriage trimmer than a
Legislative one.
The Penrose Ferry Bridge will not be ia
order until October.
Excellent butter was purchased yesterday
for 60 cents per pound.
Alexander Adaire is a frst-class carpenter,
but he would make about fiftieth-rate Con-
gresham.
sam Josephs is a constant attendant at the
Mayors office. Hasn't Sam been squared with
yet on the Police bill l.?
"A certain turnkey few days ago charged
several prisoners rs cents each for breakfast,
pocketed the cash. and charged the meals to
The city. To the victors belong the spolls
Who is the intoxicated police lieutenant that
was disarmed of his revolver by an ex-police-
man whilst aourishing it at Broad and Race
streets last Sunday
-Callowhil street from Ninth to Tenth is
being repaired, I. e., the cobe stones are being
torn up and relaid on the same bed.
What became of the $500 bonds of the In
ternational Steamship Company which were
floating around Harrisburg? Did our Represeu-
tatives receive any, and, if so, for what?
1T is said that x. Y. c. ID. A, B..L. Gallagher
esquire to the Mayor, is soon to oppear in sock
and buskin as "Uriah Heap" in a new dramati.
zation of DdUid COpperfeLd
John Campbell says that bygones should
be bygones, and desire 20 Chase away all mon.
keyish ideas How have the mighty fallen!
EoUALITY.-Yesterday afternoon German
named August Kasey accOsted a negro at ThirC