New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-12
AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION.

Among the latest Geographic dispatches
from Washington is one conveying the
information that the Senate Committee Oh
Transportation will visit New Orleans in
the early part Of next month. This
agreeable news has been derived from
Senator Window, chairman of the import
ant commission. 1t comes here. it is IN
derstood, for the purpose Of examining
points affecting the commerce Of this
| city-the present inefficient mouth of the
Mississippi river, and the one that is pro-
posed by the construction Of the Fort st.
Philip canal-and reporting to Congress
the result of its labors. The object being
to secure a permanent and effectual outlet
to the Mississippi for commercial and
other purposes, it becomes, from the mag
nitude OF the river, a question in which
national interest must predominant over
local if the welfare of the nation is con-
suited. The fact that Congress has taken
hold OF the subject inspires the belief
that although certain local interests may
combine for selfish reasons to prevent the
construction Of the Fort st. Philip canal,
they will be overcome by the sound and
patriotic action of our national legisla-
tors--men who, regarding the subject as
one of national Importance. will rise above
local considerations and treat i. as one
worthy Of the consideration of statesmen.
Iii already clearly demonstrated tina. with
an efficient outlet to the Mississippi It can
be made the cheapes: and best way
for transporting to the sea the products
of the Mississippi valley.
This would settle at once the fate of
Montreal in the contest for the grain
trade Of our Western States, and confne
it to where it naturally belongs--:o Amer
lean ports-New Orleans coming in for
share the advantages Of Missis- |
sippi transportation might give her. As
it is admitted on all sides Gncludinc the |
city OF New York. whose object is to con-
.inue to control the foreign grain trade, if
possible. by diverting it from the Missis-
sippi, even a: the risk of having il 90 to
that with an efficient outlet
The Mississippi must control the major
part of the grain trade Of the West, and |
pretty much all Of the trade Of the Missis-
'ippi valley. embracing large number Of
states. A proper investigation of the
whole subject, it is to be hoped, will con-
Ilnce Congress that some means should
speedily be adopted by the nation 70
prevent the possibility of losing any por-
ION Of it. And when the Senate Commit
ee on Transportation has finished its in
estigations here. we have every conf
|ence that its members will be convinced
+ the necessity Of reporting fayorably for
aid to whatever shall be
etermined to be the mos: practicable
'ay OF securing the obiec. in view. which
) permanent and efec'na! nu.!e. to the
Mississippi. Many scientific men nave
READY expressed the opinion tina.
le construction Of the Fort ST. PhiIp
NAL is the hes: and cheapest way in the
I'D OF securing this great object. If the
alton concludes to build this canal. we
ust the work will not be delayed. as we
gard it as one Of vital importance. not
lily to New Orleans and the entire coun.
y, but to the commerce OF the world.