New Orleans Republican., 1873-02-09
The Great Water Route to Europe. .
From the st. Louis Democrat

lfrOln Jne ST Louis DeTnOcraL.I
The Davenport Gazette of the twenty
eighth ultimo copies an article from this
paper relative to through shipments by the
Mississippi river to European ports. In the
course of some extended comments upon
the article, it says:
1t is quite clear from this ST. Louis incl
dent that the true course is not to attempt
to run the railroads by law-to venture
upon ground where the possibilities depend
so much upon detail and intelligent and
faithful supervisiOn-bpt to create cOmpet-
ing routes, especially water lines, which
will make it necessary for tie railroads to
manage with economy, and do their work
at the lowest possible rates. This accords
so entirely with the recommendation of the
Iowa Industrial Convention, few days
since, as to be worthy of remark. That
body declined to go further, in meddIing
with the railroads, than to indorse the pro
rata principle of the Shellabarger bill, but
called upon Congress to make thorough
work in improving the Mississippi river,
and to build the short and cheap canal
from Rock Island to 1ennepin, in Illinois,
thus afOrding two water routes to the
Att tntic.
The Iowa plan calls for the construction
of the Fort st. Philip canal, opening New
Orleans to the largest sea-going vessels;
the building of wing dams and other works
that would insure st. Louis sufficient water
in the dryest seasons, and the completion
OF the Keokuk canal, and other improve
ments on the upper Mississippi. All this
could be speedily accomplished, and would
result in nearly doubling the capacity of
the great river So marked would be the
effect, that If corn can now be successfully
shipped by way of the Mississippi to Liver
pool, it is not too much to say that the rail.
roads would be compelled TO reduce their
charges from onetOurth to One-halt on
treights to the seaboard, or lose the bulk of
their business. A saving of ten to fifteen
cents per bushel would he inevitable, which
would pour food of wealth upon the great
corn producing region of the West.
In view OF such prospects, from the i'm
Hrovement OF the Mississippi, the attitude
OF Chicago in the Iowa convention de
serves remark, The business men of Iowa
had assembled TO seek relief from glutted
channels of transportation and eXtortonate
railroad rates. But Mr.. Bross, of the
Tribune, who came 3j6 miles to talk
to them, occupied au hour in telling
the wonderful results that would flow from
building new canal in Canada, 700 miles
of, AID which is not likely to be finished
IN the next ten years. He could find
nothing 70 say in favor of the Mississippi,
nothing about Hennepin and Rock Island.
nothing about control OF the railroads. but
he generously informed them that the only
relief west of Chicago" would be a
gradual reduction by con petition
among the railways" la short. he was
all for Chicago and railroad monopoly as
it is.
II St. Louis is not blind to her intel SIS
she will promptly indorse the action OF
Iowa, and secure for ii the approval of the
Missouri Legislature. She has more at
stake III the improvement of the Mississippi |
than any other city, New Orleans executed, |
and unanimous vote should 20 up to Con |
gress from all the millions who live in the |
great valley, demanding that this shall be |
lone at the earliest possible moment.
St Louis is not at all blind to her infer |
,sts, and is now moving with commendable |
,nergy IN the matter Of riverimprovements. |
She is equally anxious that these improve |
uents should extend TO and above the
Rap Is on the Mississippi, and 10 all needed
,oirts On the Missouri and Illinois and that |