The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-17

RIVER AND HaRBOR BILL.
New ORLEANS. Anil 16. 1879

NEW ORLEANS, Aptll 49, ls7s
Editor Democra!a,I, have read Jw ,h , great
entitled The River and Harbor Appropria-
tons" and indor-e. In the main, the reasons
your conclusions. however, l urge objection:
In speaking of the proposition to send a
delegation TO Washington to urge the necessity
OF our =" harbsr say This would be very
grave reflection upon our members OF Con
grres. and would imply negligence, on their
part almost criminal in its character"
We have the records of Congress before u.s.
and that the interest of our city were not fully
represented before the Commit ee on Commerce.
of the lower house there can be no doubt. Since
that committee has submitted its report we
have ample evidence thet our congressman
have been active and Jealous in their efforts to
The report of the Board of Engineers lately
In session here has made it manifest that eiab-
crate and expensive ". rks OF protection are
absolutely essential to the preservation OF our
harbor. After the most minute and exhaustive
examination and survey. the board has recon,
mended a plan of protection. the estimated
1t is scarcely necessary to say that this
amount Is ntirely beyond the means OF the
city. and that the national treasury is the only
jective point. then. is to secure from Congress
the necessary appropriation.
Our claims not having be- considered by the
Commit ee on Commerce of the lower house.
we are forced to rely upon the favorable action
of the Senate first. and the concurrence of the
To secure favorable consideration we must
have concert of action on the part of every
member OF Congress who repre- ents ,constit-
uency at all interested in the trade of New Or
leans. This embraces large majority Of the
Western representatives, and also those of the
eastern portion of the New England States.
pos session Of every figure or fact that bears
upon this subject, and should be made to ap-
preciate and understand how great our neces-
How better can this be done than by delega-
ton sent TO Was hington specially for that pur-
pose 1t would not. nor should not be. consid-
cred as reflection upon our members. but
| rather as an adjunct and assistant to them In
| their important lHbors.
We have too much at stake TO rely upon the
| chance presence in their seats during the advO.
need.
ii our own members had no other claims
upon their time and attention. we might rely
| more confidently upon their efforts in behalf OF
our port. but obligated as they are to attend tc
| various other interests, we must conclude that
they would properly appreciate any assistance
| given them.
The advocacy of special commercial interests
records of congressional legislation show how
effectual such advocacy Is. In the river and
har Dor appropriation bill. from which we were
delegations sent to Washington with the sole
purpose of securing them.
As compared to the vast interest we have at
stake. the expense of mission 10 Washington
would be comparatively nothing. Our various
| commercial o. carnations and our city govern
ment G uld provide ample means wi bout max
! Ing an appreciable diff renee in their revenues
If the report Of the Board OF Engineers means
anything. it means that wa are in danger from
the river. and without being an alarmi IT, can
not refrain from specializing upon the disas-
trous eff cts OF crevasse vii In our city limits
| The Bonnet Care break is comparatively
harmlee s. inasmuch IA the water finds no OBJ
struction to its course to the lake. but with the
Metarie Ridge in our rear a creyasse here
would spread its disastrous effects throughout
| the entire limits of the city
Let action be taken In this matter. and pre-
dict that with long and strong pull and a pul
altogether we can secure that which Is so vitAlll
| important. and that to which this community is
| SO Justly entitled.