New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-09
DUB POVERTY AND IT'S CAUSES.

OUR POVERTY AND ITS CAUSES.
The Times has rendered q service by
reporting numerous cases of restitution,
in the sacrifices Of property resulting from
the inability Of the people to find employ
ment, as well as from the unproductive
character of the investments.
There are two theories for this deplor-
able condition Of society:
l. That the Mississippi river has been
superseded as way to and from market
by railroads and canals across the country.
2. 'That bad government and over tax
alton were the causes of the depression Of
our commerce and industries, and conse-
quently of the poverty and misery of the
working classes"
The effect of series of railroads cross
ing the mountains and connecting the
business centres Of the West with the At
lantic ports, has been shown by the re-
port of the Senate committe on trans
portation to the seaboard. This commit
tes, Sin 1874, personally examined and
most carefully investigated" twelve differ
ent ways, natural and artificial, between
the West and the Eastern Atlantic ports.
Among these ways was the Mississippi
river.
The number Of tons transported be-
tween the West and East by these ways
is summarized as follows:
Total overland movement, tons, be-
tween the valley Of the Mississippi and the
Atlantic ports by rail and canal, 1885,
900 tons.
Against this may be estimated, received
at New Orleans, at LOCO, 900 tons.
A. X. Miller, one of our largest ship
ping merchants, has estimated the tons
loaded outward at $500 Whether we
estimate the tons received at this port at
one million or a million and halt,
and, without any particular exactitude,
it will be seen that the Mississippi
river conveys but one ton out of twenty
five, or but four per cent of the weights
in movement between the West and East.
Then we have the highest home testi-
mony that the want of adequate aaviga-
ton at the river mouth has depressed the
foreign and coastwise commerce of this
city.
The testimony Of Messrs. Kennard,
Highly and other authorities goes to prove
that if the outlet water was deeper the
commerce Of our city would improve
One exhibit says:
For ships to be most profitable to share
owners. to cross the ocean, they should
carry $500 or 5000 tons dead weight, and to
DO so, as now constructed, would draw
twenty-three to twenty-five feet Of water.
Mr.. A. Z. Miller testified that fully two
thirds Of the tonnage plying to and from
Dur port, if loaded with heavy cargo to
heir full draft capacity, would be unable
o cross the bar at our river mouth, owing
% the shoal in the water great portion
If the year. Then follows sketch of the |
iamage inflicted by vessels lodged on the |
oar, in one case amounting to detention |
# seven million dollars in cargoes. Mr..
Miller expresses the opinion, that were
here ga depth of from twenty-five to |
wenty-seven feet to be depended on at the |
mouth Of the river, double or treble the |
mount Of grain would no doubt be
shipped from our port"
Here, then, are two causes which in the |
of competent authorities go to
ccount for the loss of our trade. The |
ne cause will not allow the trade to come
lere; the other will not permit to go |
way
But then comes in the second explana.
ion That bad government and over taxa
ion have caused the depression of COM
1erce and the poverty of the working
lasses. It is an excellent thing to be
Democrat, because member of that
arty may do any act with impunity. If
e assume for moment that the cause is
$ stated, we would ask how the Demo-
ratio party, which has exclusive charge
the city administration, is exempt from
ny censure? Why should the people
e called on to reinstate in municipal
over. party which has certainly
aown itself incompetent to arrest
ae decline and to restore prosperity?
would be promptly replied by the Dem
cratic politicians, the seizure and sale of
property for city taxes is caused by the
Republican mal-administration of the
tate government. Very well. Let US
canine for moment. Does not the
hole amount collected from taxation go
arough the hands of an administration
Democratic? Can any one
y that the city debt has been contracted
; Republican officials? These ques-
ems will be parted by the remark that
le schools and police are State charge.
Re suppose that since the encyclical
oistle Of Mr.. Lusher, We may assume
lat we shall, in any event, expect "the |.
and maintenance of free
ubiic schools, for both white and colored
aildren, which shall be neither sectarian
or partisan in their direction" We sup
ose, moreover, that no one denies that
le city requires some police. Deduct,
len, any excessive cost of Republican
ytem of schools or police from the gross
1tlay, and it will not throw upon the Re-
ublican State government response
ility sufficient to account for the fright ]