Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-10
steambOatmen

@, Louis hepuDlcantl
There is good ground for hope that a
better time is coming to cheer the de-
spondent aud replenish the empty pock-
cts OF this class of men, both OF employ
ers and employees. for the losses Of the
n most assuredly lead to the sufferings
of the other class. This entire structure
(hope) is predicted upon the one fact,
the additional depth at the mouth Of the
river, which is the grand event OF this
the richest valley on earth, The many
and varied blessings which follow in the
makeup Of this glorious opening of the
gate of commerce, which admits to our
ports the ships Of all nations, flags. and,
We may say, capacities; the gate from
which famished nations are fed, but which
has until recently been but ajar, through
which vessels Of limited capacity we're
compelled to creep cautiously. This
promise is now an established
fact, although there is much i'm
provement required for the sue
cess of the God sent natural high
way, the waterway transportation. For
instance, such legislation as will virtual
ly annihilate the red-tape gentry who
squander more of our tax money than
any department of the government, and
do more mischief by piling rock in the
channels just high enough to knock the
bottom out Of q boat or retard her pro
gress sufficiently TO destroy the entire
profits of a cargo, carried 1900 miles for
ten cents per hundred weight. The red
tape measurement compelsa boat to pay
custom.h house daes, wharfage and other
bills on fully twice her absolute register;
il extends from the kelson TO cabin floor,
and should on the same fraudulent prin-
ciple include the hight Of the chimneys
and jack.staf. II would be a hard mat
ter for one or both of the Anchor Lines
to get a deduction for the weight of the
anchors which they sport between their
chimneys. When Uncle Sam tsrns the
steam, the cash, the red-tape goes TO work
with beginning and nursing the pet job
until the dissatisfied and justified press
/ compels its completion, when 10 the red
} tape discovers that the work is done
! wrong, report accordingly to head
r quarters and are ordered to do it over q
as much or more cost. The steam i
again turned on, and that the use O
5 tax-money; we want all the rocks take
d out OF our channels; let the red tape ant
~kid-gloves be removed, and We will hav
T as good navigation at Pasa island
e Horsetail and other bad places as Their
o is at such parts of the river that hsv
had no red.tape. The waterway tran.
p~ortstion route Of this valley has now a
e sumed such favor from our people as t
Ie demand that natural laws prevail an
y, that distractions be removed. Our dl
mands we will have. The tide of con
merce has now turned this way, and tbi
Ie way forever, the railroads, Eastern can
Re tai and %scheming to the contrary no
g withstanding. All the powers could nc
e now reverse its course; the beginning
d cause is substantial, i. e., it is the cheal
Ie est and quickest route.
r, This is the pleasant fact for the steam
boat men to look forward to. A brigh
s. prosperous return lies before every hol
est, skilliul w%orkingman among then
sr Nothirg can lure it away. Facts plainl
seen say that this valley has alread
b. been greatly benefited by the opening {
D. the gate, yet the greater portion is clos
at hand; every city, town aud plantatio
will have its share of benefits.
,e New Orleans, to which every river
this valley aud its commerce is tribut
sr ry, must be the grand center. The oil
y Crescent City will be herself again, Il
II mart Of fashion, chiyalry and wealth.