Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-07

ters like the present may be averted.
In this same connection may be ap-
prOpriately considered the subject Of the
improvement of our own river and har
Dor. 1t is conceded that the harbor of
Savannah is not only one of the finest of
the South Atlantic, but that it possesses
peculiar advantages over all others. The
depth of water over the bar at Tybee at
high tide is twenty seven feet, while the
average depth of water in the river to
this city is nineteen feet. Thus it will be
seen that there is more water over our
bar than over those of either Brunswick
or Charleston, and equally IS much as
over that at Pert Royal, while our
harbor Possesses additional advantages
-SVer all these ports, inasmuch
as being fresh water 1t cleanses the
bottoms of vessels from barnacles and
other salt water nuisances, and no matter
how long they lay at anchor they run no
risk of accommodating any such obstruc-
ton to satisfactory navigation. For these
reasOns ship owners always give this the
preference over rival ports whenever
possible; but, besides all this, Savannah,
On account of her desirable location, and
Ultimate connection through her railways
with large and already prosperous, and
rapidly developing region of country,
aas become the first cotton port of the
South Atlantic, and her commercial
importance is universally recognized.
General Gilmore, in his recent report
On our river and harbOr, which we
published on Friday, shows that he fully
appreciates the necessity of, and the bene-
i,s which would accrue to, the country
rom carrying out such improve
ments as are admittedly desirable, and
% do this satisfactorily, he states that
Chere will be required an outlay of $780,,
900 in addition to existing appropriations.
This recommendation is worthy of the
thoughtful consideration of Congress.
Heretofore, as in the case of the Mis-
sIssippi, the government has been in the
habit of doing out annually small sums
Of 100000, more or less, for this great
and important work. In consequence
but little good has resulted. The work
necessarily lags, while after the meagre
appropriations are exhausted much of it
mas frequently to remain in allegiance
until more money can be obtained, and
in the meantime what had been but par
TALLY and inadequately completed is
easily put out of repair, and has to be
done over again. In this way it proves
far more expensive in the end, and COM
paratively little return is derived from
the money expended.
IfGeneTal Gilmore S Recommendation
are adopted, and a sufficient sum of
money is appropriated for this work at
once, good effects will speedily mani
fest themselves. What will then be
needed will be a resident engineer of
experience to make this city his head
quarters, so that he can keep mat
tiers directly under his eye at all times,
and intelligently direct affairs on the
spot. 1t is plain that work of this
magnitude cannot be properly conduct
ed from a point hundreds of miles dis
tant. We think that this fact is being
made apparent now. For instance, from
d cursOry inspection of the wing dams
just below the city, opposite the wharves
Of the Savannah, Florida and West
ern Railway, it seems to US that trey
are being unwisely located. They will
not only narrow the channel right at the
city, but there is ground for the fear
that by damming the water on the river
bank opposite the wharves, they will
force a volume of water against the
wharves, which, being of piling, must
seriously suffer therefrom. We mean no
reflection whatever on the excellent and
capable gentlemen directly in charge of
these Improvements. They are, doubt
less, carrying out their instructions fully;
but if an engineer of the experience of
Gen. Gilmore or Col. Craighin were loca-
ted permanently at this point, and could
give this and kindred subjects their en-
tire time and attention, all such matters
could be thoroughly understood, and if,
as in the case above mentioned, any real
cause of apprehension existed, it could
be, at once, removed.
1t is be hoped that General G1lmore's
recent report and these suggestions will
be needed by Congress. If they are, the
Savannah river and harbOr can be readily
and permanently improved; we can
easily have at high tide shortened and
well lighted channel from Tybee to the
city, practicable for vessels drawing
twenty-five feet of water, and the work
can be done so thoroughly, that it can
always afterwards be maintained in good
order without much cost or difficulty.
The benefit which would enure to the
general commerce of the country as well
as of this port, would then be simply in
while the income which the |
government would derive would, in a
few years, far exceed the sum required |
to carry out the needed improvements.
Conkling has declined. This is no |
more than was to have been expected. |
His nomination, confirmation, and sub |
sequent declinatiOn was, in all probabili- |