New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-23
Chamber of Commerce.

request of members who desired to discuss
further the subject of the improvement OF
the Mississippi. All told, fourteen persons
were present.
Vice President Bowling in the chair.
The secretary read the call, desiring a
reconsideration and modification Of the
resolutions of the previous meeting.
Judge Howe stated, as a question Of
privilege, that he had not signed the call,
but had no opinion, as expressed in it, while
80 many engineers differed. He had au-
thorized the use of his name for call, but
it had been put to the words of the call
without authorization.
Mr.. Bayley called for the reading of the
call as published.
Judge Kennard, reading the call, stated
he had only agreed to join in the call for
the meeting and not with the sentiments
expressed in it. The subject had been care
fully discussed at the previous meeting, and
there then being a quorum present, it had
full power to act for the Chamber. he had
no doubt that. Professor Forshey had not
intended to overstep his authority, but he
had been placed on record as expressing
certain opinions and did not desire to re-
man so. The discussion the previous meet
iag had been confined to the single question
which Of the two passes was to be preferred
for jetties. After deib GRAFTON he had be.
come fixed in his preference for Southwest
over South Pass. That was the naked
cuo,<,op doform;oo1 TIN n anal HANG aY.
c!uded from the discussion. He would
always join in any call for meeting on
proper subjects and Professor Forshey
might be able to change his opinion but it
was now q strong one in favor Of Southwest
Pass. Professor Forshey explained that
Messrs. Howe and Kennard having su'
thorized him to put their names to the call
he supposed they agreed with the terms.
He presented a series Of resolutions which
were read and said that as the meeting was
small he would propose al adjournment to
Wednesday.
Mr.. Bayley referred to the call as being
incorrect. He had never hea rd of depth
of twenty feet being maintai ned. Captain
Eads was not to receive $500,00O when
twenty feet was obtained, but in getting
twenty-five feet. He conside red all of the
statements OF the call in the REPUBLICAN
incorrect. He considered it a sufficient
guarantee that Eads would complete the
work, or that he would lose all he spent if
he did not.
Professor Forshey said part of the call was
incorrect, as appeared by the new bill
which had not been received when the call
was written. When there was eighteen
feet of water at extreme low tide, as the
average had been for three years, there was
twenty feet of navigation, for vessels Of
that draft passed without st topping.
Judge Kennard made the point of order
that the question had been discussed and
the came proposition made by Profes-
sor Forshey had been voted down. 1t would
require a motion to recons ider, made by
some one who voted in the affirmative, to
again bring it before the Cha mber.
Mr.. Seixas moved to adjourn.
Professor Forshey said he had served the
Chamber for four months in Washington
VIII tAC uOpO Va b0CCOSo AVI AAc LOW 0A " AAO
had given the subject the thought and labor
of lifetime, and be must beg the Chamber
to hear him. If it thought proper, when a
larger number were present, to reject the
he made, he would submit with
what grace be could.
Mr.. Seixas said he had no intention to ap-
pear discourteous, but the Chamber had not
sufficient knowledge to enter into discus
sion. The call made contained certain
and Colonel Bayley said they
were Incorrect. It was not for the Cham
Der to decide now, when at previous
meeting it had agreed to different propo-
sition.
General Beauregard said that when the
were presented it had been said
half congressional loaf was better than
none. 1t now appeared that the House
had passed the bill for the Southwest Pass,
which was a strong tendency that we would
get the whole loaf. 1t was better to let the
.hings be as they were. It was better
hat twice the money should be spent here
% improve our best pass than half of its on
! secondary one. We certainly can not
,biect to the larger amount, and this Cham
,er should not impede the bill. The pro-
position to maintain the jetties at half the
,oard's estimate, $l50.000 instead of $780,
100, lie considered an advantageous one
md was in favor Of anybody who would |
larry it out and Of the bill.
Professor Forshey said he was ready to
onvince General Beauregard or any one
lse that he was wrong.
Colonel Sandidge said he knew Of the |
cal of Professor Forshey, his energy and |
ereistence in pushing the canal in Wash |
ngtou and here, but hs considered that it |
7as too late for any good to result from any |
ction by this Chamber. He would suggest |
hat Professor Fcrshey withdraw his reso-
ltlOns.
Professor Forshey said he was strongly |
lhuenced by Colonel Sandidge's remarks.
lis opinion was so settled that he did not
now if he did his duty in refraining from
ls;sting on his resolutions, and desired to
ut on record his prophecy that the scheme
the jet.ies would prove most disastrous.
outhwest Pass was gradually and certainly
osing. The proposition to build jetties
lere, for one-half the estimate he did
ot consider liberal. but q reckless and
one, and if Captain Eads had
,nsidered the subject half as attentively
he had he never would have made the
opposition.
He withdrew the resolutions, and the
hamber adjourned.
The Temperature.