The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-07-06

1t4I0R HOHSTON- -1ND i i


N4yOR HOUSTON IND j. =. 4G1N ESQ.
Mr.. J. J. Egan, the Duluth City Attor-
ncy, has written letter to one Of the Du-
nth papers in reference to our remarks on
Major Houston's contradictory opinions on
Superior harbor and the Duluth canal. Mr..
Egan thinks that we DO not comprehend
the situation, and says that with the view
of probably throwing some light on the sub
iect, he has endeavored to state the other
side. Had our space permitted we would
willingly have inserted 1ir. Egan's letter,
which in It's tone is most cOmmendablc, and
then our readers could have judged for
themselves how much LIGHT he has thrown
on the other side. But it appears to Us he
has altogether failed in showing that there
is any other sidc.'' HIS letter and Qua. PC
cent articles are in essential agreement; !;
indeed, he unwittingly places the inconsIst-
cnces which we pointed out, in stronger
light, by using language much more tersc
and plain spoken than we did.
The case against Major Houston which
we made out was this: That up to 29th
June 1871, he, as the engineer in charge,
gave certain opinions on the entry, the canal
and the dixie, and then Sc suddenly changed,
that only seven weeks afterwards, he totally
reversed these opinions a4d has confined to
do so. We gave no opinion rs to whether
the Majors first or second thoughts were
the best; we attributed no motives good,
bad or indifferent; our aim was to show that
the reversal Of opinion was sudden, radica.
and without apparent adequate cause 50 far
as M unprofessional person could see.
What answer does 1Ir. Egan rs Major
Uoustons champion, make to the charge?
Throughout his two column letter he makes
no denial Of the suddeuncss and totality OF
the change; all he attempts IS to show that
il was cxcusable.
The first reason Mr. Egan gives is: "At
:. the time Of giving the alleged opinions
prior to June 29th Col. Houston had given
. the head Of Lake Superior lutte it auy
consideration" Such an implied negU-
gence Of duty is rather an uukind thrust
from ones friend. No professional man
who valued his character would give de-
cided opinions on a subject to which he
had previously given little if any consider
alton, and Major Houston expressly contra
diets Mr. Egan's assertion. At the time he
advised that the canal should be stopped
he had been at least a twelyemonth in
charge He Acknowledges :. he was in pos
"session of all the surveys, maps and re
sports pertaining to the harbor improve
'ment, and was acquainted with the entry
land the canal, having been personally on
"the ground The "high5y dangerous
character of the canal was therefore 4 pro-
lessional opinion deliberately formed, and
based on ample opportunities Of judging
correctly.
The second and final reason which Mr.
Ecan gives is as follows: "The change Of
'.opinion attributed to Col. Houston by the
Superior Times is based upon the diScov-
:. cry of a new state of facts, and these facts
''being entirely opposite in character. The
rise and fall of the lake and the DlSCON-
Gerry of tide therein, has been the reason
" of change of opinion by Col Houston
9 Col. Houston has not changed, the facts
only are different. The Superior Times