New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-01
The Lssisville CanaElss Opening Mon.
DAY.
From the Louisville Courier.Journal I

From the Louisville Courier-Journall
The new canal was opened yesterday to
tie passage of boats. The importance of
this work can scarcely be overestimated.
1t has been q gigantic undertaking, and one
Of the deepest interest to the extensive
steamboat and shipping business which de-
ponds upon the Ohio river. The work has
been carried on at great expense, and has
been managed with a skill and conscien-
tious carefulness and attention that place
the steambOatmen and shippers along the
Ohio under lasting. obligations to General
Weitzel. The effect of the enlargement
made under his supervision will be an i'm
mense benefit to river traffic and travel.
and an effectual circumvention of the oh
structlon which the falls of the Ohie consti.
tute IN the way OF navigation, for, when
ever there is water enough in the river for
the largest class of steamboats, to run there
will be enough in the canal for them to pass
through.
Yesterday the opening of the canal was
signalized by the passage of several boats
which had been waiting for that event, and
hencefOrward, unless unforeseen accident
should interfere, there will be no further
delay in communication between the most
remote points on the river than is caused
by the variations in the volume Of water
in the river itself. The opening Of the
canal makes the way clear from Pittsburg
to New Orleans, from the headwaters of the
Ohio to the Gulf. If this important pas
sageway around the falls we're now free Of
tolls, the value of the river as means Of
communication and commerce would be
complete: but the tolls yet remain as tax
upon the steamboat and shipping interests.
We hope, however, that even this OBJ
structiOn will be removed in good time, and
the entire river thus be made free to all
who choose to launch their money upon
its broad bosom in the shape of steamboats,.
The great value the opening of the canal
is to Louisville should be apparent to all
on a moments reflection, and ought to be
enough to stop the absurd insinuations that
Louisville was opposed to the opening, and
DELAYED it all she could. Before the canal
was opened, Portland, instead of Louis
vile, was at the head of navigation, and
our shippers had to send off their freights
under the heavy tax Of draying several
miles in order to reach the wharf at which
the steamers lay. This was all in favor Of
the railroads and expensive freights, and
against steamboats, and cheap transporta-
ton The cost thus added to the price of
our goods, whether, the products of our
manufacturing industry or the accumula-
ton of our dealers, was burden, and
very serious one, upon the trade of the city, |
and it was quite natural that shippers |
should grow impatient for relief. The |
OIuUn AOuIStIlC AuCACuduUce AduuldC- |
turers and shippers, as well as Louisville |
steamboatmen, were fully as anxious to
have the canal opened as anybody along !
the bank of the river. and they are now
quite as much rejoiced at the successful |
contamination Of that desirable work.
The canal improvement is not yet com
plete, but it is probable that the present
Congress will appropriate sufficient funds |
to finish it. A strong effort will also be
made to induce the government to comply |
with the conditions under which it can
take possession OF the work and make it
free of toll. This effort is backed up by. |
all the influence Of the steamboat interests
of the Southwestern waters, and conf
dence is expressed in some well informed |
quarters that the movement will be sue
cessful. With this tax removed, the |
taxes along the river reduced to
a minimum, and a vigorous prosecution of
other necessary river improvements, the
steamboat business may be revived, to
something like its old-time proportions,
and the waters of the Ohio again be
plowed by hundreds of fine craft, all work |
ing in the interest of increasing commerce
and cheap transportation. Speed the day.