New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-07-21
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SENATOR VESTS POSITION
CONGRESSMAN SYPHER'S VIEWS

A special meeting Of the Chamber o. Com
merce was held last evening
The object of the meeting was to listen to
an address from Senator West, at his re
quest, on the subject of the Fort st. Philip
canal and the scheme Of jetties at the
mouth of the mouth OF the Mississippi river.
In addition to large attendance of mem
bers of the Chamber, there were many
prominent citizens who came in cOnse.
uuence of the notice Of the subject to be
discussed and the general invitation ex-
tended to the plblic. s.
Among others were Mayor Witt, Post,
master Ringgold. Representatives Sypher
and Sheldon, Senators Sypher and Herwig,
G. w. Carter, Esq, ex-Mayor Brice, ex-
Mayor Flanders, General M. jeff Thompson,
D. F. Kenner, Esq, P. j. Kennedy, Esq,
and many others.
A large number Of extra seats had been
provided bat the hall was crowded, not
withstanding by quiet and deeply interest
ed audience, only breaking into applause oc
casionally which ceased at the sound Ot the
presidents gavel -
At about eight o'clock, President Oglesby
being absent, Vice President J. NJ. San
didge called the meeting to order. ioa- s
Mr.. Sandidge said: !.- D. ,s
This meeting has been called at the re-
quest of Senator West, in order that he
might be heard on the question of the out.
let of the Mississippi river into the gulf.
Further, as this is not a theatre, and ss
political discussions are not allowed here.
and as this is a matter in which all citizens
are interested, it is to be hoped that the
gentlemen will give the Senator a courteous
reception. Introduce him to you to speak
upon this question OF the outlet OF the
Mississippi river.
Senator West then spoke as follows:
am much obliged to you, gentlemen, for
your tiatterlng reception.
Before proceed 10 say anything upon the
subject, have word to say to to the presid-
ing officer of this board. Since have made
the agreement to come here and give you .
statement of the legislation that has trans
pired in Congress with reference to the &C
complement of an outlet for the Missis-
sippl river into the ocean, have been made
aware that, as least. at the suggestion OF
members of the Chamber, other gentlemen,
who hold opposing views to those have
seen proper to assume, are here, and expect
to be heard To this l have not the least
objection l court and invite the fullest dis
cussion. But submit to the Chamber, and
/ would like TO have their action upon this
matter. II have to speak and if what
have to say is to be commented upon, sub
NIT, that l should be accorded the oppOr-
tuDity TO reply and close the debate.
President Sandidge-I don't know that
there is TO be any debate. You are invited
to speak, and you may occupy whatever
time you will If there are any other mem
bers of Congress present, and if they should
be called upon, they may be heard also.
Vast 1nn't vvieh In hQv
understanding. But according to the
courtesy usual in such cases l should have
the opportunity Of closing the debate, if it
should be a debate. .
President Sandidge-As the presiding Of
fcer / have to state that this meeting has
not been called for any debate. 1t is called
to hear your statement, as Senator from
louisiana upon this question:
Senator West-Mr. President and gentle
men-I should not have made the state
ment did had l not seen a letter from the
presiding officer of this Chamber addressed
TO my colleagues in the House, inviting
them to be present, and that you would be
glad to hear them.
President Sandidge-I addressed this my
self to these gentlemen, your colleagues In
Congress. They did not choose to come
without invitation. But being here, if it
should be the pleasure of the Chamber to
hear them, then they might be expected to
be heard. But they were not requested to
come here for the purpose OF debating this
question.
Senator West-Expecting as matter of
course to be interrupted shall not object
to any interruption courteOusly put, and
although shall not invite them, shall do
my best to reply to them.
SENATOR VESTS SPEECH.
have asked this opportunity to reach
through you the community of New Or
leans 1t has not been accorded to me of
late, that might be heard; not that l de-
sire any opportunity of vindicating myself,
because time will justify what have done,
but because l believe that in the further
ance of the great object which We all have
in view, the opening of this great highway
from the river 70 the sea, yonr Judgment
should be unbiased and unprecedented and
that you should be enlightened, as well from
one side as from the other; as to what is
best to do in the premises.
You can readily understand with how
much more qualification l could meet you
here tonight were l prepared to tell you
OF success achieved. and that the work
would commence on this great highway to-
morrow That, indeed would delight me.
That is what have strived for in my own
way, and. think, when l tell you my tale
yOu will Justify what have done.
l regret very much, gentlemen, that
necessarily, from the very attitude which
occupy in this matter my remarks must be
eo sIcdtly VI pcTSOudl CudTdCtcE dM uOO
DESTROYS to stand here tonight to tell you
what have done and what have not done.
But you must understand that when q COM
nlittee of this Chamber solemnly submit their
report for your consideration and adoption,
that the humble individual who is standing
before you is the great obstruction to this
outlet; necessarily that humble individual
must show you whether such is the case or
not. Furthermore, a commission appointed
by your honorable body, representing YOU
in Washington, makes report to this
Chamber in which about the same idea is
enuncisted. and am held up as being the
individual that obstructs the commerce of
the Mississippi and to-day paral Yves the
Industry of New Orleans. ."
Sir, had l the power that these individuals
desire to ascribe to me. it might be a repu-
taton of which any individual almost any
politician and statesman might be proud.
If / could stand alone az one man against
the whole commerce of the Mississippi
valley and all its great industrial and agri-
cultural interests and by that single power
defeat them, then have achieved power
of which any man might be proud, unless
that power had been acquired by betrayal
of those who had contided in him and by Q
loss of their respect and the reputation of
the man. Were it not preposterous to as
i sign such attributes to me, would not be
the best representative that Louisiana ever
had! Because no man with such power
as that ever exercised it against the inter
ests of humanity or OF the people of his
State. Did hold that power what could
not accomplish for Louisiana! Because,