New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-04-16
THE TOWBOAT RING.


our readers a series Of reasons going to
show that the towboat ring of New Or
leans undoubtedly finds improvement OF
the bars at the mouth of the Mississippi
detrimental to its interests in large sum
Of money.
We naturally conclude that unless the
ringis possessed. in an extraordinary de-
gree, of self-sacrifcing disposition with
which monopolies are seldom credited),
it must at least have the will to oppose
and embarrass works of improvement, if
not the spirit and power to manifest that
will in action.
We now propose to recite facts showing
that the ring has repeatedly embarrassed
the work OF improvement. destroyed its
useful results at times wheE such action
would would work the greatest detriment
to commerce and the greatest benefit to
the ring, and that this has been done with
apparent intention.
Before making these staten ents. how
ever. it is important TO consider the cir
cumstances that have so long favored the
ring in covering up its Ubiquitous proceed
ings and binding the people Of New Or
leans to the ruinous effects on their COM
merce. Deception, terrorism and the
spread OF wild theories antagonistic to the
plan adopted by the government. have
been the instrumentalities employed.
Deception regarding the condition ofthe
bars and the results effected by dredging.
A rod OF iron held over the heads Of pilots,
shipmasters and all others whose necessi-
ties force them within the influence of the
ring; and the Spread Of theories, plans
and imaginary facts from the pen Of every
visionary who car command space in a
newspaper.
1t is indeed unfortunate that the people
of New Orleans and the people Of the Mis-
sissippi valley have so long been obliged
to depend for information. on subject
of such vital importance to them. on such
fraudulent or weak sources. 1t is untortu-
nate that the bars obstructing commerce are
not located at a point where that which
transpires upon them could be seen by all
interested, instead OF being 10 miles
away. at point visited by but few. and
the majority Of that few controlled by
Self-interest or by fear, in opposition to
the general interests Of commerce.
Let US classify and examine more closely
the sources Of our information:
l. The towboat ring. and those who
serve its purposes through fear.
,. Those who befog the public mind
with false theories. worthless plans and
imperfect or imaginary statements Of con-
ditions which sho.ld govern works OF i'm
provement.
). The employees On tie ilredge boats.
TO these We nigh! add the class who 90
on annual pleasure excursions to inspect
the bars, gaze OF the surface of the water.
stare at the mud Jumps. listen to the tales
that are told them, speculate and moralize
on the situation, and then hasten back to
the yard stick and ledger. mystifed and
prepared to mystify.
These are our instructors; let Us sub.
divide and consider each class:
/. There is q great ring the Boss
Tweed of the bars owning the only line
of telegraphic communication between
New Orleans and the mouth of The river.
furnishing for a consideration. the daily
papers with such Geographic news from
the bars rs will no. conflict with its inter-
ests. shutting ont such as does conflict;
when occasion demands that the drehge-
boat report Of i seventeen foo; channel
should be contradicted. informing US that
Captain ----. Of the tOwboat 1900.
sounded across the bar and only found
fourteen feet" not mentioning that the
captain sounded elsewhere than
in the channel. sd could have run lis
vessel aground. had it been necessary to
select crossing shoal enough: anzioUsiy
desiring the contrac. for improving the
bar. in order that it may have undisputed
control, gather into Its Golfers government
appropriations. and keep the bar in just
that condition which best suits its inter
ests, etc.
Next come the pilots, who, with the |
exception of those regularly employed on