The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-04-28

Charleston S35O,Oo0 out of $3.50, 900, the
engineers estimate; TO Cumberland Sound
$ll2, 800 out of $500, 900, the engineers esti-
mate; to Winyah Bay, S. c., Sl00, 900 out
Of 100000, the engineers estimate, and so
on.
But it is said: Chow absurd
to appropriate so much for Insignificant
places, and so little for port that has more
commerce than all those places together"
80 1T seems. l agree thatsthe Importance of
a port, and the necessity for the work,
should be the true standard But the COM
mlttee on Rivers and Harbors is not per-
mltted to adopt the standard. Why2
Because first, they are confined to the en-
gineers' estimates of the amounts necessary
to effect certain result; and, second, and
mainly, they are hampered by human
nature. If, with the estimates before
them, they were to report for one port 100
per cent, for another rs per cent, for
another so per cent, for one river 100 per
cent, for another river 40 per cent, there
would be no appropriation at oil. At
best, the bill has TO run the gauntlet every
year. Those who have no rivers and har-
bors in their districts, as rule, always OPP
pose the bill, and those who support it must
be convinced that they have received their
fair percentage.
We know the importance of our port and
that deeper water is to us a vital want; but
what are our necessities to men thousand
or five hundred miles away, who think their
rivers and harbors should be equally pro-
vided fora
Another charge against me is that have
neglected Savannah's interest in giving my
attention to other parts of the district Let
us see what there is in this electioneerings
got a public building for Savannah,
but, so far, have not obtained one for
Brunswick.
| got so per cent. of the estimate for the
harbor here, and little less than that per
cent. for Brunswick. True, | have worked
hard to get bill for building at Bruins
wick, and expect to get it, if work can do
it, but have not neglected Savannah. The
strange part Of the matter is that Bruins
wick says: well done, good and faithful
servant" while some people in Savannah
say, 1--WE intend to send him to the rear -"
While this charge of neglecting Savannah
is talked on the streets without specihca-
tions, so far as | have heard, | learn that
some citizens of Darien feel that her port
has not had justice done to it. They
naturally feel disappointed because the
rivers and harbors bill does not appropriate
for permanent improvement of Doboy bar
Here again, as | believe the fault is laid to
me, only because those citizens referred to
do not know that Lieut.. 0. M. Carter re-
ported positively against undertaking that
work on Doboy bar, on the ground that
the commerce of Darien, at present,
does not justify the expenditure
of between 81, DOC, 900 and 81, 000, 900. With
that report before the committee, who can
be so unjust as to imagine that | neglected
Darien because | did not get an appropria-
ton for that bar? | have spoken to Lieut.
Garter of this work within three days past,
and he authorized me to say that the re-
sponsibility for no appropriation for itrests
solely. on him.
| have the best of reasons for believing
that | shall get more than 800 900 for Sa-
vannah, but it will probably be on the old
estimate. And have no doubt that at the
next session, if not before, the new work
will be commenced. | expect, also, that, by
the next session, plan will be adopted for
obtaining deeper water at Doboy Bar.
From the other sixteen counties in this
District | have heard no complaint. | can
not say that the citizens of Darien COM
planned. They were surely disappointed and
very naturally, without Knowing that the
relief expected was rendered impossible, at
this time, by the engineers report.
In conclusion l will say that / feel con-
scjous of having done all that could be done
for the district. and that Savannah, of all
points, has no just ground for complaint.
If there be any other grounds of censure,
and any one will state them over his name
in the city press, will take pleasure in Civ
ing an answer.
II M NopwooD