Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-10-08
improvement Of BGnf River
Navigation.

improvement Of BGuf River
Navigation.
1n publishing a report of the work
done on BGuf river by Captain J. NJ
Maumus between Point Jefferson and
Stewards Landing, q few weeks since
we added thereto few words of com.
ment. The New Orleans Democra,
copied portion of this comment and
followed it with this criticism.
"I.et us see il this culogy be de.
served. The work done by the Cap
tain under the direction of Major Ben.
yaurd, Of course, was between Puin,
Jefferson and Edwards, a distance OF
some thirty miles. and consisted chiefly
OF pulling out snags and trees, but We
learn from Capt. Hamilton of the Era
No. 10. that the portion of the river
where the work has been done was
the best part Of the stream for navi.
CATION. while The part that really and
urgently needs Improvement is be-
tween Edwards and Myrick's. Before
operations on B9uf River began Cap
tain Maumus. We learn. wrote to Cap
tain Hamilton and one OF his pilots,
asking advice as to where work was
most needed, and those gentlemen, by
letter, pointed out the portion referred
to above. Why the advice was not
taken and why the money appropriated
for the improvement of the river
should have been expended on the
most navigab!e part IF it, i is Difficult,
to conjecture.
The charge is made against Major
Benyaurd that instead of employing
men familiar with the various and
numerous streams under his charge,
to perform such work as may be nec-
essary, be has. Gs a rule, employed
strangers who being unacquaiuted
with the demands of the steamboat
men have made glaring mistakes and
squandered to no purpose money that
would have given much n. eded relief
if wisely expended. This is serious
charge and should elicit some reply or
explanation from Major Benyaurd."
What seems 10 have been the trouble
with the Democrat, in noticing this
matter as above, is that it misunder.
stood US; that it constr ued the report
and our comment as meaning that
work bad stopped at Stewards, which
was not the case. but work is still
going on and will continue until Cap
tain Maumus and bis men have
reached the mouth of the river Since
that report was made the captain has
worked down to the railroad bridge,
between this place and Girard, which
covers large portion of the river re-
ferred to by the Democrat as needing
the work most, and that portion in.
cludes the "Ten Chances" really the
most difficult portion of the river.
What we really intended to say, in
speaking Of the inadequacy of the
appropriation, was that it was not
sufficient to have the work performed
ns thoroughly as it should be done,
and not that all the work had been
performed that was going to be done.
OF the chara ter Of The work per-
rrmed we know but little personally,
but we have seen the certificates If
citizens living along the river declar.
ng, under official seal, that the work
las been well and faithfully performed
We do not know bow we come to
be conclusion that the appropriation
or BGuf river was only two thousand
dollars, or, 10 other words, where we
btained our Information; but we are
ow informed that it was q mistake
be appropriation was larger. but We
% not know exactly what it was.
As to the charge against Major
;enyaurd. We know nothing. ard shall
ave nothing to say; but Captain
Ioumus is supplied With ample tes,i-
'o,y from reliable aud honorable wit
esscs that the money paid for the
'ork performed by him was not squan-
cred to no purpose, but that be has
sed economy and judgment in oil the
ork be has done.
Now, will the Democra', in justice
} Captain Mauwus, under direction
{ Major Bepyaurd, correct tho erro'
Ito which it has fallen or been mad
ertcutly led by US?
I Mrs tr1fves &a.u- tod IN MOcfc1Iln l .