New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-14
FORT ST. PHILIP CANAL.
Speech of Hon. l.. A. Sheldon on the Bill
in Relation to the Improvement of the
Mouth of the Mississippi River.


Mouth of the Mississippi River.
THURSDAY, June IA, 1874.
Mr.. Lewis, of Tennessee. having spoken
in behalf of the Eads jetty scheme, Gen
eral Sheldon replied
Mr.. Sheldon-I am greatly surprised
when the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr.
Lewis denounced the army engineers he
should quote General Barnard, the Oldest
and in consequence OF his age the fee5lest
in the service, and who lie therefore as
signed to no active duty. Iagree with the
gentleman in the Importance of an open
mouth, but he utterly fails to show how
that can be secured. If l can get the ear
of the gentleman think will be able to
convince him his idea is entirely utopian.
Mr.. Dawes-Before the gentleman pro-
ceeds further would like to call his at
tentiOn to a remark he has just made in
is the Oldest and therefore the feebIest OF
these engineers.
Mr.. Sheldon-I said in consequence of
his age.
Mr.. Dawes-The gentleman said he was
the Oldest, and therefore the feeblest-sO
feeble that he is relieved from all duty.
Mr.. Sheldon-I said active duty; and that
ls the fact.
Mr.. Dawes-General Barnard has the
misfortune to have defect in his hearing.
do not conceive that that would disable
him from the discharge of any duty of this
kind. l wish to do justice to General Bar
nard, for he is constituent of mine, and a
native of ny own county. He stands
among the very first
Mr.. Sheldon-I do not consent that this
shall come out OF my time, which is limited.
do not intend to do General Barnard any
injustice.
Mr.. Dawes-I would leave it exactly in
that way. 1t does not do to whistle man
down the wind and allow nothing to be
said in his behalf
Mr.. Sheldon-What said was simply be.
cause of age.
Mr.. Dawes-I suppose he is about the age
Of the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Shell
DOM himself. He is probably between the
age of that gentleman and my own. l re-
member him when he was boy.
MIR. Sheldon-I was saying, and if can
get the hearing of the gentleman from Ten
nessee think shall be able to convince
him that his idea Of an open mouth is
utterly utopian. The very question at issue
is, can there be such thing as an open
mouth! 1t involves most important engi.
neering principles. l solicit the attention
of the gentleman to what am about to say,
and ask if he can dispute IT.
Mr.. Speaker, the subject under consider
alton is not an ordinary one. The bene-
fcial effect of so improving the outlet to
the sea by the way Of the Mississippi river
as to adequately supply the demands of
commerce, will be SO great and wide spread
that the project must be regarded as more
completely national in its character than
any similar one ever before Congress. 1t
should command thorough study from
every gentleman on this floor, not merely
because it is important, but it involves
llrlnnfnlno pnOlnnQrin0 rn,r ~: 81.
we can not afford to be mistaken. Members
OF Congress are not usually engineers, and
in order to act intelligently upon this oues-
ton, considerable investigation is required.
or they must act upon the views of those |
belonging to that profession as matter of |
faith The great interest of my constitu- |
ents in this improvement has compelled me |
to give study to the subject, and because I
have done SO, though not an engineer, / !
shall risk the appearance of impudence BY |
asking the House to listen to and weigh the |
argument propose to make. And let me |
assure gentlemen that, although come to |
the investigation of this subject with the |
strongest desire to see this improvement |
made, yet have been and am without the |
slightest proclivity as TO the mode of its
accomplishment, provided the work shall |
be ample and permanent.
The first question winch arises is, shall |
we undertake. this Improvement Are the |
interests to be promoted of sufficient mag.
nitude to justify the necessary expenGi- |
tures II upon this point the decision is in |
the negative the discussion of methods is
1t would seem that the
country had been educated enough through
the agencies OF chambers of commerce,
boards of trade and commercial conventions
TO leave no doubt as to the propriety and
of this improvement, but in these |
times of exacerbated economy everything
relating to the expenditure of money is un.
certain, even tor the most meritorious
measure, and l am induced to present the
reasons why this work should be under
taken, because its transcendent Importance
when considered must overcome the indis-
position to expend the pubic funds.
Il has been often said that transportation
is the most important question of the dav.
The whole people are considering the sub |
ect with an intense feeling. Every man is
affected by the cost of carrying. whether |
he be producer or consumer. The people
ID the Atlantic coast are fed and supplied
With raw materials to considerable extent I
rom the Mississippi valley, and in turn
commodities manufactured in the East or
from foreign countries are con.
yeyed TO the interior for consumption. The
North and the South mutually supply one
o the other many articles OF necessity or
luxury. Domestic commerce in its extent
nd ramifcations should be the subject for |
book rather than Of speech. But gen.
raj facts may be stated to show the out {
mes of this trade. st-
The Mississippi river and tributaries con-
ain 10000 miles of navigable water, enter
" into eighteen States and several Terri
,ries, and drain domain of nearly
lillion square miles. The population in !
abiting this region approximately %, O00, 600.
early one-half the numerical strength of
- ca<;oo---ys "a proj,a hlp that ar fhis time