Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-05-15

to the Navigation OF S2lu rivers.
Eleventh-That the interests Of thi:
valley imperatively demand the mos
economical means of transportation tC
and from the foreign markets of the
world, and the safest and most durable
class of steamers, barges, etc, for its in.
land water service; and that it should
be the duty of each representative OF
this valley in congress to labor for the
removal of every artificial impediment
which interferes with such cheap ocean
transportation, or which prevents the
adoption of such safe and durable ves-
sells for its inland navigation.
Thirteenth-That we emphatically
declare that the revenue laws should be
so amended as to permit shipmasters to
purchase ships wherever they can be
most cheaply procured.
ourteenth-Thatw we emphaticaIly de
clare that the revenue law which for
bids registry to the ship to an AmeTi-
can citizen simply because she was built
in foreign land, and thus compels him
to float the flag of another nation above
his property, is a burdensome imposi-
ton on the people of this valley, and is
a policy only worthy of past age.
Fifteenth-Refers to the fact that
every civilized nation except our own
uses iron-hulls for vessels, and asks
congress to ascertain the cause Of this
and apply the remedy.
Sixteenth-We ask that the laws be
so amended as to restore the prestige OF
the American commercial marine, and
enable it to do its share of the carrying
trade of the world, and that if it is nee
essary that the American iron masters
must be shielded from foreign competi-
ton by laws which effectually interdict
iron steamers on the rivers of this val
ley, and which drive its products into
English and German ships on the
ocean, there should be some substantial
government encouragement given to
the construction of iron vessels, and
such federal patronage. as will sustain
American steamship lines against this
unequal competition, and thus lift our
once great merchant marine from it:
disgraceful inferiority, and keep the
lives and property of our people from
being longer imperiled in wooden ships
and floating tinder-boxes.
After Mr.. Rollins retired, Ex-senator
John B. Henderson was introduced, and
delivered lengthy speech in which he
discussed the causes which have brought
about the great and imperative demand
for increased transit facilities, and what
led to the controversy which now ex-
lists between stockholders and bond
holders of railroads on one side
and the producers and consum-
ers on the other. He explained
under what circumstances many
of the railroads were built-the great
cost of construction, eXtTavagant man.
ayers, ETC., and said the railroad COM
panies must necessarily pay their run
ming expenses and meet the interest on
their bonds orgo into bankruptcy. They
also struggle to pay dividends to their
stockholders. To do this, their man.
ayers insist that they cannot afford to
lessen the prices of transportation. He
said congress would soon have to meet
these questions, ,and.tO treat them impair
tally would be the part of wise states
manship. He deprecated the fixing OF
arbitrary schedules in disregard of the
business interests, and favored the
abolishing of all competition in
rates under the plan of abolishing
all distinctions between competing
and nOn-competing points and others.
There was no doubt, he said, that the
roads in many Instances have violated
their charters and usurped privileges not
granted by law. When this is the case,
legislative and judicial authority must
correct the evil. 1t is well that the con-
troversy has begun. 1t will attract pub
lie attention, and furnish a subject fOl
the contemplation of the statesman
far more practical and ennobling
than the threadbare issues of the late
war. 1t looks to the material interests
Of the people, and will inevitably bring
in other important questions of political
economy. The want of the west is ad-
ditiOnal transportation. The railroads
now constructed do not and cannot
furnish sufficient facilities, but by fool
ish war upon railroads and upon the
owners of railroads we drive capital
into other channels, and in its prefer
ence We shall have aggravated instead
of mitigated the evil. He then speaks
of the Mississippi river as an avenue OF
communication, and says the govern
ment, by eXpending One-twelfth of the
money has invested in western rail-
roads, it could furnish a depth of water
sufficient to carry to and from the sea-
board the products of the country at one
Of the country, / mean not only the
east and the west, but the north and the
south. He also advocated the tributa-
ries of the Mississippi river, and said
the streams east and west of the Allie
ghenies should be connected by canals,
and l mention the James river and Ka-
nawha canal, the projected canals in
Alabama and Georgia, and the enlarge
ment of the canal between Lake Michi-
gan and the Illinois river, the Niagara
canal, and other enterprises of a similar
character. In all of these projects
the east and south are no
less interested than the west.
He then gave the history of the rise and
fall of our national movement, and
urged that some measure should be
devised to restore it to its former emil
nence. He thought, however, that
before our commerce could be restored
the tariff and currency systems would
have to be revised, but he declined 70
discuss these questions at present.
He advocated the construction of three
yards, one on the At
lantic, one on the Mississippi river, and
the third on the Pacific coast, for the
construction of government vessels and
ships for private individuals. He then
gave the history Of the Union Pacific
and Central Pacific railroads, and
showed how they had violated their
pledges and the law in discriminating
against the Kansas Pacific railroad,
which is branch road, and under the
law should be operated as part of the
main line.
Judge Redmond, of New Orleans,
then spoke of the distractions at
the mouth of the Mississippi, and
showed in a conclusive manner what
great injury they are to the commerce OF
the valley and the country, and how the
evil can be remedied by the construction
of the st. Philip canal, the feasibility OF
which is unquestioned.
To-mOTrow's session will be given up
to a general discussion, and various gen.
tlemen are expected to express their
views upon the questions which have
been presented to them.
The railroad excursion to Texas
will leave early on Friday morning,
UiG the Atlantic and Pacific railroad,
and stop at Springfield over night and
receive the hospitalities of the citizens,
and proceed next morning to VeDita,
and thence to Denison, Houston and
Galveston. The eXeursionists will num-
Der about one hundred and fifty, and
will be under charge of f. w. Dwyer.
of the Atlanticsand Pacific railroad.
sz-zzzss---z=----.-a
ADDITIONAL MARKETS.