Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-29

would be one OF the severest blows which
/ could be stack al the commercial life OF
every port in the whole country where
works OF improvement are in an untin-
ished condition, it is safe to assume that
the President will not allow himself
to be made the tool of corpora
tions which are hostile to the devel-
opment Of waterways, and that the bill
will receive his approval. OF course the
usual amount of billingsgate has been
INDUCED in by certain newspapers under
the control of railway corporations or
subjected TO otner influences, and such
papers have not hesitated to call the bill
steal, to declare that it appropriates
money for streams tit only for trout fish
ing, and to make use of other false and
Incorporate expressions.
1t is fact, admitted by all who have
any knowledge Of the matter, that there
is no public money which goes so directly
! to promote the general welfare of the
whole country, and which yields so great
a return as the amount invested, as that
which is expended by the United States
in the Improvement of rivers aud har-
boris. Never in our history has an Off
Ger in control OF the expenditure
of this money used one cent of
it illegitimately; not contract
has ever been awarded through
influence, nor any employe ever engaged
or discharged for political reasons.
Moreover, in spite Of the ruinously ex-
travagant method of making appropria-
tions, where insufficient amounts have
been granted at irregular intervals, IN no
other country of the world has so much
good been accomplished by the engineers
with so small an expenditure OF money. 1t
is claimed by some that only our largest
harbors and most important rivers should
be improved-that ali others are "mud-
puddles" or circuit streams" These
claimants forget that it is as
important to have our interior
freights reduced as it is to have those Oh
the ocean cheapened, and that all i'm
provements which facilitate the distribu-
ton Of the products OF our industries IN
crease the wealth OF the country, no m at
ter where these improvements may be
located. They also forget, or do not
| know, that the term "mud-puddle,"
which they use so recklessly, IS often ap-
piled by them to streams larger than
many in other countries upon which mil
lions of dollars have been simultaneously
expended. The total amount appro-
priated by the present bill Is exceedingly
small for a country of the extent and
wealth of ours. Especially SO, when it is
considered that this appropriation covers
a period OF two years.
On account of the failure OF the river
and harbor bill of last year the various
works OF improvement throughout the
country are a a standstll. their cost has
been greatly increased by the enforced
suspension of operations, and, in some
instances, their safety has been seriously
endangered. Work at any point having
once been begun every consideration of
economy requires that 1t should be
prosecuted vigorously and continu-
ously until completed. This applies
with especial force to the sandy harbors
of the South Atlantic coast, where fail
ure of the present bill, leaving the I'M
finished works for another year to the
mercy OF the elements, would at some
points be liable to cause almost irrepara-
bic damage.
In addition to this loss, and that eau sed
by putting off the time when the improve
ments shall be completed and yield their
full value to commerce, the United States
owns a great deal OF valuable machinery
and other plant, which is rapidly decay
ing and being rendered unfit for service.
a great Geal of similar plant is owned
by contractors who have been doing gov
eminent work, and this is also deteriorat-
ing. 1t is now yielding no revenue to the
owners, and should the present bill fail
"a great deal of it would undoubtedly
have to be sold and converted to other
uses. This loss is, of course, primarily
borne by the contractor, but when opera
tions are resumed and all plant has TO be
newly constructed, the United States will
then pay for it in the increased cost OF
work. The execution of works OF
river and harbOr Improvement dur
ing the past twenty years has
resulted in thoroughly training a large
corps of skllful assistants, whose services
1t would be difficult TO dispense with
Should the present bill tail they would
have to be discharged, and when opera.
llOns are resumed tue cosby Work or III
structing new and untried men would
have to be begun over again.
The present river ana har6or bill. while
not appropriating enough money in all
cases, Is an exceptionally excellent one.
Business interests everywhere are deeply
concerned in it, for tue commercial pros
perity OF many important sections Of our
country depend directly upon its passage.
1t would be very unwse and unjust to
condemn such bill and let the CONNER
cial interests OF the whole country suffer
for the purpose of currying favor with
powerful corporations, or because few
ignorant or corrupt people raise the cry
OF "steal."
It's a cold day when Il Connecticut man
gets left in sharp transaction. For sew
eral years past citizens Of the wooden
nutmeg state have been making periodi-
cal visits 70 New York and doing up the
bunko men OF that city. The honest con-
! f.Iapra man NJ CHATHAM, bava haor ~ ,,,,.