, 1873-07-19

= d BUUIHERN MUNQFOL4.
An apt illustration Of the progressive and om-
niyorous character Of monopoly is furnished by
tho Tow-Boat Association at Now Orloans.. It
had m existence before the Rebellion, and while
all other institutions in tho same locality suc-
cumbed to the torrors Of war or tho hardsllips
incident to 1t, this ono survived to live and
thrive at the cost of Now Orleans aud Of COM
merce, until it has roachod condition Of op-
ulenco and power which tho people no longer
pretend to resist. Tho threo Tow-Boat Com
panios having consolidated some timo since,
they hold tho shipping community at their
mercy. IA it tho natural obstacles to ginning
the sea ovor tho bar ut tic month Of the river
were not sufficient, thia tow-boat monopoly haa
mnde the difllcultya basia Of it's prosperity,
and. to that end practically closes or opena
navigation from tho river to the sea at ita OWL
option. 1t exercises it's own discretion In towing
yoaaols or refusing to tow thom, and charges
and rocoives my sum which 1t aeos fit to de-
ma1,d. It controls the river pilotage, for 1t
ooolly refuses to tow d yesBol which iR plotod by
q man who is Objectionable to it. 1t owns tho
only telegraph line running from New Orleans
to tho Da1lzo, and, as this is private prop
erty, it refuses to sond any dispatches
which aro opposed to it's own in
forests. It the Captain Of an outgoing
voBsol finds IN unusual depth Of wator at tho
mouth Of the rivor, 30 that yessela may pass
through without submitting to tho extortion Of
the tow-boats, ho naturally dcBircB to communi-
cato tho intelligence to his employers or tho
agents Of his company. Tho Tow-Doat Company
declines to send any such dispatch. Tho officer
in charge Of tho Government service ut tho
mouth can soud dispatches, it is true, for the
lines run through the Government reservation,
but, il he mikes public announcement that thoro
ia plenty OF water on tho bur for yessela
to pass, tho tow-boat line is surc to
contradict it noxt day, and tho depth Of
the wator is 80 ohangeable TINT the pooplo
at New orleans are at = loss what to bolovo.
II there arises anything like general protest
on tho part Of tho neutrality-suspicious. or tho
shipping community, tho Company ,genorally
manages to secure the largest vossol on tho river
in tow aud strand it ut tho bar In such way as
to completely shut OF Ill passage. This brings
the shippers and riyer-mon to tor1ns. An in
atance of the power Of this monopoly was fur
nished not long Hnce by the attempt Of I'LL ocean
steamer to reach the nea. It wnH loaded with
tho most valuable wheat cargo shipped since tho
War direct to Liverpool. It carried passengers
also, aud had the promise of a rapil, suc-
ceHsful, md profitable voyage. It drow
about 10 feet Of water, and, arriving at
the bar, 1t was found that tho water
had q depth Of about 18 feet, an unusually large
supply. Naj. Howolls, in charge Of tho Gov
ernment sorvico, gave it nH his opinion that the
steamer would havo no difficulty in pulling
through, and tho Captain applied to tho tow.
boats for assistance. Thoy refused, On the
ground that they did not tow ocean steamers.
1t WIS tlon docidod that tho stoamor should
mnke tho trial without assistance, aud thoro was
every roenon to boliovo that 1t would 60 through
it It kept tho main channel. While crossing, how.
ovor, 1t mot ono Of tho tow-boata with Q
vesael attached, which forced It on ono Bido ao
thnt 1t stranded. The ocean nteamer waB com
pletoy turned about In tho effort to got off, 81
! that tt closod up tho paaaage. Thon tho Tow
Boat Company vas willing enough to assist 1t
tho effort to draw the atoamor. It took twenty.
seven days to accomplish this, aud tho row-1}oa'
Company was paid 90. 600 for Its work. 0nco of
tho bar, 1t WAS found that tho Htoarnor's scroU
~ 4.
go back to Now Orleans, uuahip tho cargo
and put tho stoamor on tho dry-doo]l for repair
thus oocasionlng loss Of many Thousand aH
lars that monopoly might assert ita powor.
These circumstances Of tue groat Now OrleanI
monopoly hayo boon detailed for the purpose o
showing how completely orushsa aud cowea I
people may be under oppression. II IL truo tha
tho Louisiana people have to ooutend with po