Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-23
1IEMPHIS APPEAL
THU RSDAY, MAY %, 1878.
CAPTAIN EADs IN CONGRESS.

In another place this morning we publish
an article from the New York Tribune on
the subject of Captain Eads's application to
congress, which every reader should peruse,
for the reason that the welfare of Captain
Eids's work at the jetties is one that con-
Germs every dweller within the broad bounds
Of the Mississippi valley. Captain Eads was
recently in the presence of Memphis audi
ence, and we all know the impression made
10y the frank earnestness and thorough intel
hgence of that eminent gentleman. He has
mainly accomplished one of the most inn
portant accessories to the welfare of the Mis-
sissippi valley its people were ever favored
with. Free entrance to the Gulf of Mexico
from the Mississippi river IL secured without
the continual expense of dredges, or the I'M
certainties and disappointments connected
with them. II: and those associated with
HIM have hitherto worked on their own re-
sources. A mere pittance, compared with
the vastness of the work, has hitherto been
paid them by the nation they have benefited.
To the extent Of that payment the work is the
nations; beyond that it belongs to Captain
Elds and his associates. This latter portion,
which has cost them so much, is now used by
the nation, and for that use the nation is
paying nothing. Is this right? Is it not
adding one more instance to the ingratitude
man so commonly shows to his benefactors?
We have before us copy of Captain Eads's
application for what cannot be withheld by
congress without injustice. 1t Is exceedingly
modest in its tone, and asks for nothing with
out showing just reasons for it. The docu-
ment says that the personal means of the as
sociates are exhausted, and money is wanted
TO continue operations. The total cost will
not go beyond the estimates, but the proper
ton wanted up to this time is larger than
was provided fer. For the whole work the
payment is to be five and quarter millions;
eight parts out of ten of the work are COM
pleted and in active use by the public, yet so
far only one million has been paid. The law
requires a depth of twenty-four feet by
September, 1879, and twenty-six
feet by September, 1880. By al
lowing present payment, those
depths can be secured considerably before
the time required, which would be a public
advantage of course. If means are not sup
piled, that advantage cannot be secured for
want OF power to meet expenses, and the de-
lay would be a public loss, depriving COM
merce of inestimable advantages. Another
thing is, that the deferred payments bear an
interest of five per cent. which is saved to
the extent of the arrangement now asked for.
Captain Eads also shows that when thirty
feet depth is gained, it will not be for the adj
vantage of the work that that width should
be extended completely across the bottom,
but should leave a slope at the sides. On the
plan now proposed, the first payment-three
quarters of a million-will not be made until
the channel is wide enough for all practical
purposes. In conclusion, Captain Eads urges
that the work was undertaken at nearly
seven hundred thousand dollars less than the
official estimate the whole risk of
failure was assumed, and of dam
age from storms and danger
from an insecure foundation-the pass Sc
lected by Captain Eads was not given, but a
more difficult one was assigned-all the off
cial predictions of failure have been contra
dicted by fact-no increase in the price of the
work is asked, or release from any obliga-
tions. The most important public work the
government ever undertook has been carried
out on individual hazard; no responsibilities
have been evaded, no favors, up to this time,
asked. With the New York Tribune every
Just man-every man grateful TO Captain
Eads for what he has done, every one that
desires genius, merit, public spirit, and indie
iatigabe energy should have their reward,
will say whatever Captain Eads asks IN his
application lei him have, and with 1T he has
the admiration of his country, and his name
and fame will ever be connected with the
great river Of the west-the mighty Missis-
sippi.