National Republican., 1876-01-13
PlT0NAC CHANNEL.
Memorial for It's Improvemont.

large number OF the moss prominent mer-
chants Of the city, recognizing the fac: that the
haIbor OF the Potomac river which fronts tho
whsrves along Water street is so rapidly filling
up as to render 4: practically useless have deter
mined TO take some step looking towards its
proper dredging and repair. They very truthflIIy
claim that what little money has heretofore bsen
appronriaisJ for p,no- purposes in the DtstrIc.
has been used entirely in tho improvement OF
what is known as the Virginia channo., '"u' uu oc
justly discriminating against the c0mnefco =!
this city, which Is rapidly on ths increase and
which would be further augmented if proper H.
cilitles were afforded vessels of heavy tonnage.
As It now is, VIXEN vessels drawing only ten feet
and 20 cut under the same circumstances,
In order, If possible, TO- remedy thiS state Of
aDairs the merchants above Timed have called
fer meeting of citizens to be held tonight at
the Board Of Trade rooms to take such action in
tie matter as may seem most desirable me-
mortal, of which the following is copy, has been
prepared, and Will probably, with some altera-
tiOn, lie adopted and submitted 10 Congress.
Messrs. i. T. Nerrick and General VIM. Brney
will be present and address the meeting. Ls:
there be full attendance.
THE MEMORIAL.
1--WE. the undersigned, citizens Of thu city OF
Washington, il the District OF Columbia, respect
ful reminding yCGT honorable bodies thaS yol
are our-scle and exclusive legislators, and conse-
Queuty the legitimate guardians of our interests,
request your attention 10 the condition OF the
Wa, bngIOu channel Of the Potomac river from
The bTit&C 10 Inc u states arsenal. II
Il by this channel that nearly the entire commerce
CT the city Is carried on, and yet not dollar OF
any appropriation heretofore made for the alleged
bcneft OF the h2rhor Of Washington has been eN-
pended upon the Washing ton channel. All these
appropriations have been used on what is called
9 Virginia channel. from which Washington
derives 10 beEetit whatever, and such expenditure
these petitioners respectfully represent to bo an
Nv lust discrimination against their interests.
While the commerce Of Washington is
largely Increasing, and its tonnage has 10
fact Increased four. fold during the last ten
years, and tho vessels engaged in its commerce
are now of much heavier drsught of water than
formerly, yet it is admitted fact that the chan
mel has been permitted to become so contracted in
its breadth as render it diicIlt for vessels OF
large size TO turn in It, and vessels drawing over
ten feet cannot approach our wharyes except al
full tide This is the condition OF things which calls
for tho immediate Intervention Of your honorable
lodies TO prevent the irretrievable injury which
must necessarilyresult from the further operation
of the causes which tend to ruin our commerce.
Your honorable bodies will readily understand
that these same causes tend TO influence unfavOr-
ably tho sanitary condition of the city, and for
that reason also they call for speedy remedy.
We therefore respectfully pray that your honora-
BILE bodies will mako such an appropriation as
may 10 Just and adequate for widening ana
deepening the Washington channel of the Poto.
mac river from the Long bridge to the arsenal
point.