Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-03-18

unsurpassed by any other place upor
the river, and which, when completed
and traversed by the St. Louis, New
Madrid and Memphis Levee railroad
will put me in the suburbs of st. Louis
only four hours ride therefrom. Yet
with all these prospective facilities, ] do
not desire TO barter away my bir thright
for mess Of pottage; do not desire to
see steamboats, blotted out Of existence;
| desire to see them protected and en-
couraged. ots..-,
cannot give up the luxury of a good
meal, comfortable bed and conve-
nient promenade, a spacious saloon at a
fair price, even for the saving of time
and Pullman palace car. Neither will
/ pay high rates of freight on the pro-
duce of my farm Just for the sake of
shipping on railroad, when steamer
will land at my door, take my produce
and transport it for half the sum. Give
me $l8, ,000, 900 and / will give you a class
OF public carriers who will carry your
merchandise cheaper, and greater num-
Der Of miles, than any railroad can, and
rates uniform the year round. j will
give each member Of the General As
sembly, clerks and pages, and each State
officer, an annual pass, and throw in a
bed aud meals, besides cigar after din
ner; and besides paying tax on the
property will give two per cent. Of the
gross earnings, and jump at the chance,
but ] anticipate no such magnanimous
assistance. even fear the result of this
bill. Steamboatmen will yet awake to
their true position, and you will then
find among them men eminently quail
fed for an nosi:ion, either in the State
or United States government. There are
among them men who can pilot the ship
of State with safety through the danger
Gus shoals of Capitalization, despotism,
fayoritism, protectiveism, that has re-
suited in a loss Of commerce, and all the
bars and snags, and other distinctions
that so bcset her. until she shall enter
upon the broad sea of prosperity,
honesty, equality and happiness.
Mr.. Speaker, this is, perhaps, the
FIRST time in the history Of Missouri that
steamboats, have asked anything of the
State, and they do not now ask for an
appropriation of money for their bene-
fit; they simply ask to be relieved from
the payment of an unjust tax. Letthem
not ask in vain. The success of our
steamboats, is as essential TO the COM
mercial prosperity Of our State as any
railroad now in operation or that can
hereafter be constructed within her bor-
ders. And | hope. sir, in consideration
Of the many railroad meaeures now be-
fore this honorable body, asking for as
sistance to develop the resources OF our
State, that we will not lose sight Of this
measure, which to the State and to the
different municipal corporations effected
thereby, is of so trivial nature, but
which to the steamboats, is matter of
serious pecuniary consideration. 1t is
measure which, if adopted by this
State, will be certain to be adopted by
other States, and then immense sums
that now go to add to the wealth and
revenue Of other States, will be re-
tanned by our citizens to add to the
wealth and revenue of our own State.
In conclusion, sir, l have only to say,
that 1 am sorry this subject has not
fallen in other hands better able to pre-
sent it than | can.