New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-27
COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION.


1t will not be forgotten amid the festivi
| ties of the season that most momentous
| and oppOrtune occasion presents itself for
the attention of our citizens. A committee
has traversed this country from Montreal
to New Orleans. 1t has examined all the
pathways of commerce between the in
terror Of Iowa, DacOta, Wyoming and
Kansas. and the coast cities of the Atlantic
1t now comes to examine the outlet OF this
great region to know whether its facilities
are adequate to relieve this ''pent up Utica, "
or whether the farmers of the West are de-
livered over forever to the exactious of the
monopolies. Every citizen should tender
the committee all the information in his
power, to the end that the ISLANDERS which
have gone forth against our city and State
and hartor shall not be fixed as facts in the
minds Of those deputed by Congress to hear
our answer before the investigation shall
be closed.
There is one view we present in favor of
the canal a, above all others to the mind
of a citizen of New Orleans or of the lower
valley. 1t is that if the canal shall be con-
structed, never iu the future will there be
any doubt or delay in the commercial inter
course between the West and the world by
this route9 If, however. we are doomed
to the bar-scratching of dredges, to be con-
tinued as long as the current brings mud,
any combination of opposing interests, any
dissensions among the friends of our out
let may suspend the annual appropri-
alton, and so close the outlet, per-
haps permanently. 1t is therefore that
all the citizens of Louisiana, without
respect to color or condition, must con
tribute all their knowledge and influence to
convince this great inquest of transporta
ton that the Mississippi outlet is adequate,
with national justice, to conduct all the
commerce that ever will apply for admis-
sion or expectation.
Messrs. Window, Sherman, West, Con.
over and Davis, of the committee, accom-
panied by ex-Vice President Hamlin, of
Maine, Congressman Gooch. of Massachu-
sets; John r. French, sergeant-at-Arms,
and E. z. Bradley arrived here on the ten
o'clock train from Mobile last evening and
walked up to the rooms which they had
previously engaged at the St. Charles Ho-
tel. The committee will meet to-day at ten
o'clock at the Office of Mr.. Kennard.
This is the first time Louisiana has ever
been visited by congressional committee
Of the importance and character of that
which arrived last evening. A brief sketch |
If its members. therefore, may not prove |
Hon. William Window, of Minnesota, is |
chairman Of the committee. He is forty |
'ix years old, a lawyer, and was born in |
Ohio. He was for ten consecutive years a |
member of the House of Representatives,
md, in 1870. took his seat in the Senate.
Though among the newest members of the |
senate, he is one of the most active and |
'ersistent. The interests of the great pro,
lucing State of Minnesota are eminently
afe in his hands.
Hon. John Sherman, of Ohio, has lust
urned his fittieth year. He has been al
eady twelve years in the Senate, and was
member of the House for eight years pre-
eding. He is a native Buckeye, partieu-
arly strong on financial subjects. and is a
rother of General Sherman, of the army.
Hon. j. 3. West belongs to us, and needs
o commendatiOn to our readers. He
'aived the chairmanship of one of the most
nportant committees Of the Senate in order