New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-02-12
NEW ORLEANS REPUBLICAN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY II 1874

NEW ORLEANS RE
railroad bills to unite in favor of this canal
scheme. Much difficulty, however, is an
ticipated in inducing the railroad interests
to vote for the St. Philip canal bills. The
| special advocates of the railroad bills
| come from the upper portion of the
Mississippi valley, which is more directly
tributary to Chicago, while those who have
the Fort st. Philip canal bill at heart are
| from the section of country which is imme-
diately tributary to st. Louis and New Or
| leans. These sections hitherto have mani
! tested much antagonism with regard to the
| use of the Mississippi river as a medium
for the expectation of the cereal products
| OF the West. 1t will be impossible without
the union of these antagonistic interests,
and a subsistence of the jealousies of the
sections represented by the respective
cities, Chicago and St. Louis, to secure IA
der the Mississippi navigabie for ships of
heavy burden. 1t will be seen, therefore,
that the prospect Of action is not at all
brilliant.
The Times says editorially:
The moment The United States govern:
ment undertakes to act the part of general
benefactor, unexpected difficulties arise in
its path. A committee of the House of
Representatives has made up its mind to
report IN favor of an appropriation "a aid
of the Fort st. Philip canal around the
delta of the Mississippi below New Orleans,
work very desirable on many accounts.
But this action excites the extreme jealousy
OF the railroad people, and of the powerful
grain dealers of Chicago, who do not care
to have export by way of New Orleans
when the committee gets ready TO report in
favor OF double track steel railway from
the Mississippi to the seaboard, the friends of
the New Orleans scheme will in their turn
be offended. The result Of the whole thing
will be either an enormous amount Of "log
rolling or dead lock.
When We remember that the New York
Times some time since exhorted Chicago
to go for the canal between Lake AIichi-
gan and the Mississippi river as means
of diverting The grain trade from st.
Louis and sending il to New York, We
have indicated great danger. The mem.
bers Of Congress from the Mississippi
should promptly concentrate upon this
canal, and postpone the jetties unit! some
subsequent period.
SIGNAL DEFEAT OF THE T0WBOAT RING
When we learned that special meeting
of the Chambe, of Commerce had been
called, at the instance Of certain parties
interested in the Towboat Association,
backed by some Of the local agents of
Northern shipping we feared there would
be seen, as the result, an exhibition of
weakness on the part of the Chamber. 1t
is well known that many members rarely
attend the meetings on ordinary occa-
sions, OK when questions only Of public
interest in which they feel no spe-
cial concern are under consideration.
but they rally in strong force when
they want the powerful aid of its intfu-
ence. On Tuesday night, for instance.
gentlemen put in an appearance with an
apology for previous non-attendance.
But with this immense point Of advan-
tage in their favor. the towboat men could
only rally seven votes on their side, which
is probably nearly their extreme strength
in the city. The eloquent protes: against
"a certain paper in this city," and the
reading of long list of-say dozen
names Of gentlemen who owned small !
shares in ships. failed of the desired effect. |
and the hearts Of the majority remained
obdurate.
The idea that law protecting an officer |
IN executing public work practically !
constitutes him military dictator. is. |
with all due Difference to the gentleman !
urging it. be it said, an absurdity. Ex-
perience shows that without some such |
check, ignorance or malice can in an hour |
lndo the work Of months, and create OBJ |
'tructions which result in heavy losses. 1t !
would be difficult to defend the pilot Of a
owboat who runs ship aground on the |
oar from charge Of criminality. He
should be employed for his skill and
He should know the exact |
lepth of water in the channel at all times.
md the draft OF the vessel he at
empts to move. A failure to know
Ill that is essential to be known disquali-
les him TO. his position, and he should
lot be permitted to undertake a difficult
md dangerous business unless he has the
and skill which fit him for the
The laws Of the United
states very properly punish ignorance.
nd hold pilots and engineers accountable
or acts resulting from neglect and incom-
'etence, as well as from malicious design.
The commerce. OF this city ca: better
ford one dictator who is controlled by
aw. than twenty who own to no restraints
kept their own interests.
eruu rcnuMTTs CANaY