The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-16
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
The Question Of Deep Water.
A Preference Expressed for the
improvement of South
west Pass.

L l.
special meeting of the Chamber of Com
merce was held last evening to consider the
Improvements suggested at the mouth of the
Mississippi River ey the Commission of
| Engineers.
The said commission in the report made to
Congress touching the work, suggested that
South Pass be improved, whereas it is be-
lieved by the majority of the commercial men
of New Orleans that the commercial interests
here will be advanced to greater extent by
the improvement Of Southwest Pass
The Chamber met to take the matter into
consideration and was called to order at half
past o'clock. MIR. Sandige took the chair
Thereafter, Gen. Beauregard, in explana-
ton of the reason for advocating that the i'm
provements should be made at Southwest
Pass, related that from personal investigation
made when member of a committee of en-
then being preached, he believes that South
west Pass can be SO improved as to give a
depth of thirty feet by very slight expendi-
ture over that required to obtain a depth of
twenty five feet at South Pass.
Gen. Beauregard then submitted the fol-
lowing resolutions to the Chamber:
New ORLEANS, Feb Is, 1875.
Whereas, The Special Board Of Engineers,
appointed by the General Government to con-
slider and decide upon what plan shall be
adopted for obtaining deep channel to con-
meet the Mississippi River with the Gulf of
Mexico, have advised the jettying of one OF
the river mouths or passes, giving the prefer
ence to South Pass instead of the So uthwest
Pass, because it was deemed most economical,
but not on the ground that it would offer as
good and desirable a navigation for ocean
vessels as would the Southwest Pass; and
Whereas, the present and prospective COM
melcial interests and necessities of the mil
lions who are, and will be inhabitants of the
Mississippi Valley, and the dictates of wise
economy, demand that that channel should
be improved which alone will suffice for all
the wants of commerce, and waving all ex-
pressions heretofore given by the Chamber of
Commerce in favor of its canal outlet, be it
Resolued, by the Chamber of Commerce of
Ne,o Orleans, That our Senators and Represen-
tives in Congress be- and they are earnestly re-
quested to urge upon Congress the improve
ment of the Southwest Pass instead Of South
Pass.
Mr. Highly did not think it would be
policy for the Chamber to oppose, or, rather,
to make any suggestions at this late day. He
said that it would require much larger ap-
preparation for the improvement of South
west Pass than South Pass-so much more, in
fact, as to be very serious consideration
wherefore he did not think that the people in
Washington should be agitated at all on that
score If they mean to give us improve
ments, by all means let them do it, and do
not hinder them by any suggestions.
Thereupon he submitted the following sub
stitute for Gen. Beauregard's resolutions
RESOLVED, That this Chamber of Commerce
has the utmost confidence in the ability and
integrity of the late Board of United States
States Engineers, and their report in favor of
South Pass being improved so as to give our
commerce thirty feet of water, with the least
expense and time Of completion.
Resolved, That our Senators and Represent
atives in Congress urge the Government to
carry out the report of the late Board of En-
gineers for improving the mouth of the river.
MIR. Bayley spoke in favor of suggesting the
improvement u OouIuWest IdSS, aIHrmlnS
that the people of New Orleans are certainly
willing to accept any improvement at the
mouth of the river, looking to the procuring
of deep water there, but if it is the prevailing
opinion that our interests can be better sub
served by opening Southwest Pass, it is GER
tainly right to suggest it. The suggestion is
harmless one.
A vote was taken on the subttitute offered
by Mr.. Highly, which resulted in its rejection.
Thereupon the resolution submitted by Gen.
Beauregard was adopted, Mr.. Highly only dis
senting.
The Chamber then adjourned.