New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-28
oFFic.AL JOURNAL the STATS or IoyislAnA.,
NEW ORLEANS SUNDAY DECEMBER 2s 1873 go r s


his vessels of the bar. The Fort St.
Philip canal would satisfy every demand,
and would reduce freights from fourteen
pence to eight or ten pence. He said the
bar should be under some properly eonsti-
tuted authority, SO that the putting Of yes
sells on it at improper times could be pre-
vented. Sometimes dozen vessels would
be blockaded by this cause. If the canal
were built vessels could be loaded at it's
mouth. -.r.
The present tonnage is about 4o, 900, equal
to about $i,0o0.00o. The construction of
the canal would double this and triple the
grain trade.
Captain Silas Weeks, agent of the Missis-
sippi and Dominion steamship line, agreed
fully with Captain Miller. He detailed the
circumstances Of the detention of the steam
ship Memphis, which proved that corn
might remain on board more than thirty
days under unusually trying circumstances
and be uploaded in as good condition as
when put on board. The vessels of his line
were from 1000 to 3l00 tons, and with the
present amount of water could only be
loaded to draw eighteen feet, which occa-
stoned a loss of thirty per cent. Had never
had any trouble about gIain-nO claim for
damage or anything Of the sort. The dis
tance is $500 miles, and the average time
from sixteen to eighteen days.
If there was twenty-five feet Of water at
the mouth of the river the steam tonnage
would be doubled. 1t would be greatly ad-
vantageous to the interests Of commerce If
the passage of the bar were under the con
troi Of some single, competent authority,
appointed by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
By this means the occasional blockade
caused by masters Of vessels forcing their
ships on the bar, would be avoided. There
had been>a great injury to commerce BY q
disagreement or difficulty between the Tow
boat Company and Major Howell.
William G. Coyle, Esq., was next called.
and spoke Of the immense loss to commerce
the distractions at the bar caused, and
the advantage Of the proposed canal. In
answer to questions by Senator Davis he
stated the prices Of the association and the
combination of towboats. 1t was not q
monopoly. The capital invested is 81 900 600
in TIVE wenty-two boats. The rates from New
Orleans to the Gulf are nearly equal to
those from Pittsburg to New Orleans. Mr.
Coyle detailed the circumstances of the
alleged difficulty with Major Howell, and
claimed the association was not to blame
J. 81. Oglesby was the next witness, and
spoke of the advantage to commerce Of the
proposed canal, in the reduction Of freights,
change of the grain route, etc. With the
canal the rate should not be more than
twenty-seven cents from Cairo to Liverpool.
Grain will 60 through this market unin-
jured, while one-third Of that which reaches
New York is unfit for food and is returned
in tho shape of bad whisky.
Colonel James T. Tucker was the last
witness. He stated that the Illinois Cen
trail railroad had completed its line to
Chicago, and now, for the first time, shipped
freight through without change. He gave
the tariff Of freights and advocated increased
water transportation, in the shape of the
proposed canal.
The committee manifested great interest
in all the subjects presented by the wit
nesses, and patiently sat until nearly three
o'clock, when they adjourned for q ride to
the Louisiana Jockey Clsb.
During the session many distinguished
gentlemen dropped IN, among them General
Emory. Colonel Sanders, Senator Pinch
back, Governor Harris, Hon. A. E. Billings
and Colonel Carter, who paid their respects
to the Senators.