The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-10-23
Deeper Water to the Sea.

We must have a large appropriation for
Savannah harbor in the next river and
harbor bill. Col. Casey, the chief of the
engineer corps, has approved the proJec1
for deepening the harbor to twenty-six feet,
and has recommended an appropriation OF
$500, 900 to begin work on it 1t is estimated
that the entire improvement will cost about
s., 000, 0OO. Surveys were made for twenty
eight foot improvement. but there does not
seem 20 be any probability of getting it ap-
proved by congress. at present at least The
estimates for that project called for about
5000, 900.
1t may be assumed that Savannah will
have to be satisfied with the twenty-six-foot
project until she acquires sufficient influence
to get the twenty-eight-foot one approved.
The time will come, however, when she will
need twenty-eight-foot channel to the sea,
and perhaps even deeper one than that.
and it is not very far in the future. Her.
commerce is increasing with marvellous
rapidity, and in proportion as her commerce
is increasing the draught of the steamers
which visit her is increasing. By the time
that the twenty-six-foot project is COM
pleted the demand for deeper channel will
be so imperative that it will not be difficult
to get project for further improving the
harbor approved.
What we should do now is to make every
possible effort to get big appropriation in
the next river and harbor bill 1t is prob
able that we shall not be able to get the
whole $500, 900 that has been recommended,
but if we make a very earnest effort we
can get the greater part Of it. We must
have at least three-fourths of it. With
s350,00O or 100000, it will be possible TO
begin the Improvement on a large scale,
and if 1t is begun that way there will be
less difficulty in getting large appropri-
ations in succeeding river aud harbor bills.
When the appropriations are small it is
impossible 70 get satisfactory results for the
money spent In fact, if the entire s., 0O0,-
600 were available at once about twice as
much good could be done with it as if it
were scattered over eight or ten years, and
it win be doed out in little appropriations
unless we make so vigorous protest against
such an unfair and unjust way of treating
us that our rights and needs will be under
stood and appreciated by the river and
harbor committee, and by congress.
The fact is that Savannah has been alto
gether too modest in her demands in behalf
of her harbor. Other ports of not much
more than half her commercial Importance
have been able by their persistence to get
great deal more than she has. They have
refused to be satisfied with little appro-
priations, and have Knocked at the doors OF
congress until they have been accorded a
hearing and their requests granted.
Let us insist that this congress shall deal
with us fairly and literally. There are
very few congressman who know how i'm
portant city Savannah is. Let us see to
it that they are enlightened. Let us show
them the extent of our commerce, and how
rapidly it is growing. Let us make them
understand how great the region of country
is that depends upon Savannah harbor, and
how much will be saved by giving US deeper
water to the sea. If we work earnestly and
intelligently we shall get pretty nearly
what We ask for