The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-04-20
xryER AND n. RmoR MATTERS.

nIvER AND H. RROR MATTERS.
Editor Dem0crat-As tar as / can gather
nom Congressional records, and from va
1ious kilograms from Washington, the pre-
Hent condition or things as relating to the
protection and preservation OF our harbor
Seems to be as follows:
In the river and harbor improvement bill
reported to the lower house OF Congress by
the Committee pn Commerce, not single
dollar was appropriated to the harbor Of New
Orleans and we are now informed that this
bill is Nc longer open iof amendment th ss,on. .,
this Committee on Commerce, officers OF the
United States engineer corps. and part OF
the United States navy under direct orders
from Washington, were actively. engaged In
the survey and examination of our harbor,
and further, despite the fact that the Mayor
u this city had on two occasions communi-
Gated with our members Of Congress- on this
very subject, still the interests OF New Or
leans seem to have been completely neg
That .ssome one has bundered" there is no
doubt. and it is eminently In order now for our
distinguished representatives to rise and ex
Il is not, however, the purpose Of this arti-
rle fo indicate to whom the responsibility
should attach, but rather to suggest the
means OF remedying. SO far as passible, the
mischief already done.
We are Informed that the only course now
open to us, which gives promise OF success,
Is to secure favorable amendment when the
House bill reaches the Senate, and we have
assurances that when that occurs our repre-
sentatives will be active and vigilant.
favorable amendment being secured, the con-
SaIrrence OF the House becomes necessary.
In the event Of difference of views between
the two houses, q committee OF conference
would more than likely be the final arbiter.
The necessity Of the work recently pro-
poged by our Board OF Engineers is so mani
Test, the injustice of our total exclusion from
the benefits Of the appropriation bill is SO
0laring, and the interest In Che protection and
preservation of our commercial facilities so
widespread and general, that we should expe-
tience no very grave difficulties In securing
favorable Congressional consideration even at
this late day. But to accomplish this imme-
tliate action Is necessary. Not action In the
channels Of resolutions and memorials to
which we are 80 addicted. and which we know
from cad experience to be 80 Ineffective, but
action In the direction of strong and vigor
Gus personal appeals not only to our Repre-
sentatives but to every other member of
Congress who represents a constituency
either directly or indirectly interested in the
preservation OF this harbOr. In no other way
ties and the justice of our claims 50 apparent
and appreciated as to compel attention and
force redress.
The question then is, how can this desir-
course usually followed by other commercial
communities in similar cases. BY sending to
Washington, properly accredited, delega-
tion specially and solely charged with the
prosecution Of the object we have In view. A
delegation IN possession of all the facts, fig
ures and data necessary to a proper and
forcible presentation OF our claims. A delega
zion to act IN concert ciM The Representatives.
from this State.
What would be the cost attending such
mission? l put it at $1,000 as the outside
The city has recently expended $500 in the
prosecution and completion OF the preli-
minary work Of examination and estimate,
and there Ia but one expression Of opinion as
to the wisdom and propriety OF such expendi-
ture
If Immediately following tho report of the
Board Of Engineers no effort Is made to Sc
cure the appropriation which they report as
absolutely necessary to protect and preserve
our harbor what can we expect from national
aegislation hereafter?
Three members of our board, Gen Weitzel
burse within the year nearly 81, 200, 900 appro-
priated on their own estimates and reports,
and by the very bill from which we were ex-
Cluded. Yet New Orleans receives not a
penny. Comment is unnecessary.
That the agency Of special appeals to Con-
gress is efficacious the recent visits to Wash
ington of delegations from Galveston, Vicks-
burg, Memphis, Pensacola and other neigh
boring ports, resulting as they did in liberal
appropriations afford ample proof.
II our commercial corporations are d ebarred
by their constitutions, or otherwise, from
taking action in the direction proposed, what
Is to prevent the members from acting indi-
!, vidually? Is the sum Of $1,000 of sufficient
magnitude to embarrass q commercial me-
tropolis like this2 Does not the gravity of
our interests warrant the expenditures
II we would avoid danger from the river; If
we would establish the precedent of having
our port considered in the list of national
benefciaries; il we would preserve our pres
ent, and increase our future commercial facil-
tiles, let us act vigorously and at once.
Let our citizens come forward and second
Che laudable Efforts OF our city government to
secure that which has heretofore been denied
MS, but to which we are 80 justly entitled.
I, for one, will cheerfully contribute to this
desirable end.
sCHU ElCA EZRA REPORT