Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-09-01

The rise out Oh CumDtrlahu Al'Si wa
improve navigation in the lower ohlo'
and also from Cairo down.
Arkansas river is lower than it has
been since 1855.
Captain Reub Haines will have a
light-draught sidewheel packet in the
Memphis and Pine Bluff trade this
season.
Captain DeHaven is negotiating for
the steamer Legal Tender, and II he
succeeds in getting her he will run her
in the Helena and New Orleans trade,
for which she is well adapted.
The river trade this year will be worth
more to Memphis than it has been for sew
eral years, and the Landing Committee,
the Wharfmaster or somebody else should
improve the wharf We will have in
our local trades number of the finest
packets that stem the great Father of
Waters. The merchants should interest
themselves in reference to our river
commerce, as it will aid in building up
their business.
To-day is the commencement of the
cotton season, and the General Council
have as yet taken no action with regard
to improving the landing, which is in a
derlorable condition, The wretehed
condition Of the landing is not only a
great detriment to steamboatmen but
also to draymen; the latter are unable
to haul full loads up the levee, and are
compelled to make two trips to the top
OF the levee in order to make their load
complete for delivery. The Council,
and especially the landing committee,
should not defer repairing the landing
another day.
Commodore George W. Cheek is spar
ing no expense to make the Illinois one
of the most complete steamers on the
river. In addition to the improvement
of the cabin her texas is being length
ened and will have railing around it.
When her Improvements are completed
she will be one of the handsomest pack
cts ahoat. She will be ready for bust
ness by the 18th, and when she comes
out we will give full description OF her.
Captain Reese Pritchard will leave in
a few days with the GAINESVILLE for Pa
ducah, where she will be taken out on
the ways and undergo thorough over
hauling.
The Phil Aims repairs will be compile
ted in few days. She is thoroughly
reconstructed and made almost new
boat.
The fine steamer, Mary Boyd, has de-
ferred her departure for White river
until to morrow evening on account of
the foundry not having her crank ready,
which was to have been finished on
Saturday. Captain John D. Elliott, her
worthy commander, regrets not being
able to go out this evening, but will
leave positively tomorrow evening for
all points on White river.
At no time in the history of steam
boating has there been more earnest
ness shown by owners of steam vessel
stock than there is now in the effort to
secure legislation by Congress favorable
to the floating commerce of the country.
During the years Of our experience in
this department of journalism, we have
heard the statements often repeated
that steamboatmen cannot stick to-
getber;" steamboatmen cannot ha--
monize on a single object" etc. So far
as ordinary business combinations are
concerned, such as the formation of
what are called rings, it may be true
that in most cases steamboatmen, have
been the first to cut rates against each |
other, instead of harmonizing to driTe,l
the railroads from the field as competi.
tors for freight. But now that the open.
ing Of another session OF Congress is
close at hand the desire seems to be
unanimous for change of laws govern.
ing steamboats,, and all interested are
ready to contribute to that result. The
recent accidents on Western rivers show
plainly how utterly useless are many of
the patent claptraps required by exist
ing laws, and which involve great ex-
pense to builders and others. Practical
men see many other points where the
laws are burden and not benefit.
Official report of the Local inspectors
at this port for the month of August:
Left Memphis August 2lst; returned
August 2Sth. Inspected at Point Pleas.
ant, No, steam ferries Ida May and Jen-
ME D.; at Columbus, KY, transfer
steamer St. Louis; at Cairo, towboat
Hickory. The latter boat is a new one,
just finished for the purpose Of hauling
hickory logs for the Mound City Axhan-
die Company. She is l6l feet long, 80
feet beam, s feet hull has 2 engines,
cylinder l6 inches in diameter, Al feet
stroke; boilers, "a feet long and AZ
inches in diameter; tonnage, 225. Old
Dave Hiner, Of Mound City, is her gal