The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1874-02-25
A BEACON LIGHT AND BUOY

We have read that the dog-s.ar is the
brightest Of the fixed stars, but, until we
had enjoyed the pleasure OF reading Mr..
Clements late transportation speech, We
did not know that dogs were ever used on
the shores Of our rivers as beacon lights
to show the faithful pilot just where he is
and how to direct his course. But this is
a fact, or Mr.. Clements is mistaken. "A
few months since" said the impressive
orator, while his face grew solemn ard
silence settled upon the congressional
audience, sin coming down the Ohio
riv era gentleman informed me that hort
time previous he was passing over the
Grand Chain. The boat was moving
slowly, feeling her way. The pilot be-
csmo restless and ceased talking. Sud-
denly the barking of dog was heard far
away on the shore. There said the
pilot, Frightening ur, I'm all right. Two
( steered by the barking Of that dog every
night I've passed here for five years :"
Here Mr.. Clements paused Snd
looked around the chamber
| with Webstorisn impressiveness; then,
cropping his manuscripts upon hi. desk,
he remarked, with a theatrical gesture:
The cackling Of geese saved Rome, spd
the barking of this dog told this pilot
just whore he was and in what direction to
head his boat to avoid the rocks - Then
raising his voice, the orator exclaimed, as
he brought his clenched hand down upon
his manuscript: "And this dog teaS the
only beacon light or buoy to show the faith
full pilot how to direct his coursep'
We agree with Mr.. Clements that this
is a cad fact, and proves conclusively
that the people Of the Mississippi Valley
have been outrageously neglected by Con.
gress. Other portions of tho country
have been permitted TO build light houses,
and buoy shallow places in streams and
dangerous places on the coast at the pub.
lie expense, while tho boatmen on
our rivers have been compelled to
use dogs as beacon lights or
buoys This Ia absolutely outrageous. We
could, if VIC We're permitted, put our dogs
to better use. There are at this time
in tbs hour of financial distress-pany
mouths demanding food, and the cry for
saussgcs 10 heard all over tho land but
how can We respond to these demands
when all our surplus dogs must be used as
beacon lights or buoys2 We pause for a
reply.
Mr.. Clements assures us that the Grand
Chain dog Was "a beacon light or buoy"
and in this opinion We agree with hiu.
We have boon acquainted with that dog
for long time. We heard his bark a few
n steamboat piloted by Barney Crane.
Mr.. Crane assured us that no considered
the dog "beacon light" We suggested
TO him that possibly Fdo might DO
"buoy," but Mr.. Crane WAS emphatic IN
his declaration that tho dog was
"bencon light" lIe said tha. he
had followed the river for twonty-
Eve years aud ought to know
the businas' We said We thought no
ought aud had no doubt he did. "Thon,
sir, said no, "bsliovs mo when / say that
dog is a beacon light. If he is not don't
know what a beacon light is. lie is not a
buoy. He is too heavy for buoy. A
buoy must BIO ligh. substance, tina. will
float high. The head of an average con-
gresham would make an excellent buoy,
but dog would not answer at ALL" From
this Mr.. Clements may learn that he was
right when he said, "that dog is a beacon
light Or buoy" The dog "a beacon light. |
We are using him TO good advantage, and
now will no. "our member" in the inter. |
est OF safe navigation, send his head 10 bs
used as buoy on the Grand Chain
That dog and that head would be all the
protection steamers could wish agains. the
dsngers Of that trescherous portion Of the
river.