Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-02-12
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY IL, 1876.


II 1T ECONOMY?
A strong effort is being made, which
now appears as though it would be sue
cessful, to largely reduce the appropria-
tions for river and harbor improvements.
To reduce these appropriations is direct
blow to all the industrial resources OF
the west, for If it does not directly in
crease the cost of transportation of the
products of the west to an eastern mar
ket, it will prevent their reduction. All
the IMPROVEMENTS upon the inland lakes
and rivers is in the direction of the solu-
ton of the cheap transportation prob
lem, and cheap transportation is the only
salvation Of the west. The improve
ment Of these lakes and rivers makes the
risk Of commerce much less, therefore
the cost Of transportation is much less.
The few hundred thousand dollars that
may be saved to the government by cut
ting down these appropriations will be a
loss to the public at large twice over. Is
such saving as this true economy?
At the s,me time we see such a stren-
uous effort on the part of Congress to eff
feet saving upon the appropriations, we
see that scheme is on foot, and of course
strongly supported by the southern MEM
bers, to put the Mississippi levees under
government control. Should this be
done 1t will odd from sixty to one hum
dred millions to the expenses Of the gov
eminent. And for what? Something
which should never come under the
charge of the government at all. The
construction of these leyees will not i'm
prove navigatien in the least; will not
be of public benefit to the country at
large by reducing or keeping down the
cost of transportion. 1t will simply be
of benefit to those property holders
along the line of the great river whose
lands are overlooked by the high waters.
Such improvements as these, no matter
where they are located, should not be
made at government expense.
The dominant party in Congress claim
to be in earnest in their efforts to reduce
the expenses of the government. We are
glad to see it. There was need of it.
Should they, however, as appears to be
the case, cut off all appropriations with
out due regard for the permanent results.
Should they largely reduce the river and
harbor appropriations and then foist upon
the government the construction of the
Mississippi levees, then would their eff
forts for retrenchment have an appear
ance Of political chicanery. Instead of
being an advantage to the party 1t would
be an injury. 3re s.s
The levee scheme is not new one. It
has been before Congress many times be-
fore and always defeated. We trust that
it will be this time. 1t will be the OPEN
ing wedge whereby hundreds of millions
of dollars will be drained Fl ON the treas
ury, sum which the saving made by re-
ducing the appropriation on river and
harbor improvements would be but a
drop in the bucket. Without its cOnnec-
ton with any other matters it is decid-
edly poor economy to reduce these APP
preparations. 1t will work an injury to
the country at large and to the political
party that carries it through. There are
plenty of places in the government SER
vice where large saving might be made
where the public at large. particularly
the producing classes, will not be made to
suffer by it. IL e.Z ea