New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-24
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OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE UNITED STATES
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS
I:rt,N CORRESPONDENCE.

WASHIN(GION
WASHINGTON, February IL, 1871.
EDITOR REPUBLIcAN:
Only those on the spot can'tul}y appreciate
the difficulties overcome by the advocates
Of the Gulf steamship bill, but every reader
OF the debates printed i'll the G!ote must al
mire the tact and ability with ewhlch Sen
ator Kellogg defeated the demag"gne arts
and specious sectional pleas that the inca
sure encountered mp to the moment OF IT'S
final passage in the Senate.
Your readers have read the powerful ar
raw O: facts presented in supper; OF the bill,
showing how our commerce had been tlched
from us. and our political influence on this
. continent undermined. They PROVED, COLI
vinciny and unanswerable, but Gid not pre-
vent Senator Sherman from appealing to
the sectional sympathics Of the Senators
from Maine, as follows: .
In INV Judgment the effect Of Substituting
these steamship lines will bc to substitute
iron vessels, steamers OF large grade and a
large size, at the expense OF the Unltrd
States, and to the destruction OF that little
commerce which is carried on in TIE wooden
effect and that has been the result OF subsi-
dies in other countries; it has been the re-
suit of subsidies in our own country. NE
substitution OF iron steamers between New
Orleans and Vera Cruz will drive out ali
the trade of the smaller vessels that are
sailing from all the ports OF the United
= States to the ports of Mexico. and that now
carry on this commerce of thirteen or four
teen million dollars, which is almost eXciu-
syely in American bottoms.
Mr.. Kellogg tittingly answered this APP
peal by remembering that those who
made wooden plows objected to iron and
steel plows. True, they were seen to be
more efficient, but it took away the trade
of manufacturers Of wooden p!ows.' 10
the credit of the Maine Senators be it said
that they voted with the friends OF the bill,
the Ohio Senator opposing the wishes OF
his own constituents, as expressed by the
Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and the
Commercial Convention recently in session
In that city.
It was surprising to hear a prominent
statesman ~ like Senator Buckingham
assert that to permit the company to per
form any cOastwise service would break
down and destroy" American commerce;
that it would be substituting a line against
which none other domestic companies
could compete-as if every coastwise steam
ship carrying the mails, and every railroad
and every protected industry Of the country
is not now similarly Subsidized" The
Connecticut statesman was hitting especl-
ally at Senator Flanagan's amendment
compelling the ships plying between New
Orleans and the South American ports to
touch en- route at Galveston. and he carried
with him five votes. 1t is possible this pro-
yiso may be stricken ont in the House.
General Sheldon is hopeful that the bill
viii become a law this session, and all the
Louisiana delegation are Oh the alert TO
forward the interests Of the great Southern
metropolis particularly, and the Southwes.
generally, but / very much fear it viii go
over until next Congress for final decision.
HON. JOHN LYNCH's
successor in the land Office is a practical
surveyor, and said to be wholly unprej,
diced in the great case he Will be called up
On to decide. Tremendous influence, prin-
cipally organized by our old tellow-citizen
Louis Janin, Esq, was brought 20 bear on
Secretary Deano in the Gaines great 1870
tOises quadratas' case, and decision OBJ
tained setting aside Mr.. Lynch's survey and
report. There was no question as to his
integrity or ability, but the President
thought it unfair to Mr.. Lynch 10 ask him
to again go over the case. and an expert
has been called in. Whatever may be Mr.
Fosters decision, he will resign upon COM
pleting his task, and President Grant i'll
then cheeriillly Ieins.ate Mr.. Lynch. if the
latter SO desires.
PERSONA.
The wife of Senator Harris, and the wife
of Representative Morey, both of whom
have been quite i'll, are convalescen:.
Dennett's friend Mentz. ex-Sheriti' Of ST.
Mary parish, passed through Washington
to New York day or two since. He an
nounced that he is negotiating extensive
real estate transfers.
General Sypher is having the mail facil;-
ties increased within tie limits of his dis
trict.
Governor Buckingham and Genera! But
Ter were mainly instrumental in securing
the appointment OF Mr.. Pi;kin to the ap-
praisership The Congressional representa-
tives Of the several States included in the
district do not seem to have taken any
part. General Butler is q warm personal
friend to Mr.. P;tkin.
The coming of General West is looked for
with interest. He is expected TO take at
once a high rank among the Southern mem
bers. Senator Wilson will ask his appoint
ment upon the military committee. and he
will have place upon two or three other i'm
pOrtant committees.
General F. j. Heron has but one opno
nent in his contest for Sergeant-at-Arms of
the next House who is at all dangerous
Ordway. the present incumbent. But as he
has had the place for eight years (lonrer
than any other officer. and as the new Con
gress seems determined to give the South
proper recognition. General Herron's friends
do not feel at all alarmed about the result.
THE RIGOLETS BRIDGE
was 10 have been removed some two hun
bred feet above its present location. Messrs
Quintard, Grant, Fairfax and several Con-
gressmen were summoned before the com
merce committee of the House and gave
their testimony upon the points involved
General Sheldon fought like Trojan for
the Chattanooga company, and explained
the situation SO clearly that majority for
removing the bridge was reduced to only
two opposing voices for his amendment. viz:
that the rawbridge shall be brought in a
straight line with the channel.