The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-22

MA VIGATION or THE DELLA WARE
The fact that so little is needed to make the
navigation OF the Delaware river all that
could be desired has hitherto prevented the
National Government from bestowing upon
it the attention it deserves. From above
Philadelphia to its mouth it is broad, deep
stream, capable of floating the largest ves-
sells, and it has always been our boast and
pride that crafts incapable of entering New
York and other harbors could come up our
river and discharge their cargoes upon the
wharves of Philadelphia without impediment.
The only serious interference with free navi-
cation at all seasons is the shallow
at the lower part OF the neck
known as the Horseshoe Shoals" and
at this place an ice accumulation takes place
nearly every winter that occasions an infinite
amount of difficulty to vessels coming in and
going out of port. These shoals are increas-
ing every year, and threaten to interfere
with the navigation of large vessels at other
seasons than mid winter, and it is matter
of the first importance that some decided
effort should be made to remove them, or at
least to make them less troublesome than
they now are. A short time ago Councils
adopted series of resolutions calling the
attention of Congress to the subject, and
yesterday the Board of Trade had under con-
sideration a resolution adopted few days
ago by the Board of Port Wardens, inviting the
Board of Trade and the Commercial Exchange
to appoint a joint committee to cooperate
with Councils to devise a plan to remove the
distractions in the navigation of the river
DoIo "a @ba
apply to Congress for the necessary appro-
priation. We are gratiied to see Councils
and the representatives of the commercial
interests of the city making an earnest move
in this matter, and Congress certainly ought
to grant the appropriation asked for. Where
the National Governmenthas spent one dol
lar for the benefit of Philadelphia it has laid
out thousands for the benefit of other and
less important localities, and we certainly
have some claims that are entitled to q
respectful hearing We do not complain
that more money has been invested in the
improvement of other hatbors, for
happily we are so situated that
our harbor pretty much takes
care of itself. The fact, however, that we
have had no appropriation of any moment
gives us an additional claim upon the Gov
eminent when really need one. 1t is
clearly the duty of the nation, and not of
the city of Philadelphia, to maintain a great
national highway like the Delaware river in
good condition; and the work to be performed
upon the Horseshoe Shoals, in order to
prevent an ice block every winter, is so small
comparatively that there ought to be no hesi-
tation whatever in Congress about appropria-
ting all the funds that are required for the
purpose If the subject is urged with the
proper vigor by Councils, the Board of Trade,
and the Commercial Exchange, and our
representatives in Congress do their whole
duty in the matter, Congress would at least
be compelled to give the subject considera-
ton, and we doubt not that the appropria-
tion would be granted. The only fear we
have on this point is in the fact that the false
policy Of economy which Congress has of
late pursued, which saves at the spigot and