The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1898-09-09

these two rivers. A small apprOpria.
tiUn from the government some years
ago increased the channels depth
from four to ten and one half feet,
which, OF course, was highly bene0ci-
al. 1t still compels the loading Of
vessels drawing over ten feet Of wa
ter out to Horn or Ship Island, dis.
tant from the mouth OF the river thir-
ty and thirty five miles respectively,
forcing the payment Of 81 per 1000
feet to vessels anchored at Horn Is
land and sl.25 per 1000 feet to vessels
anchored at Ship Island. The lumber
men here are in competition with
other markets, viz: Pensacola, Mobile
and New Orleans, who can load direct
ly from their docks. This vast cxpcn.
diture for lighterage forces the mills
to be worked on the most economical
plans, aud benefit that might accrue
to hundreds OF our laborers Is denied
because OF this. NOtwithstandin
these difficulties, however, they have
plodded along, seemingly unaware OF
their rights to ask for larger appro-
priatlOn.
Awakening at last to the realiza-
tion OF the unprecedented increase Of
their business, and the absolute ne
ccssity OF a deeper channel, commit
tee OF our ablest citizens went ia
Washington last winter to confer
with the Rivers and Harbors commit.
tee, and met with such encouragement
that bill will be formally present.
cd to Congress this winter asking for
the necessary appropriation. The in.
creased territory lately acceded to us
has been one OF the principal markets
for our lumber, and the march Of i'm.
migrants into these newly acquired
possessions will increase the demand
for lumber to such an extent, tOgetll-
er with other strong reasons for our
appeal, that Congress cannot fail to
see not only the benefit to Government
and State, but to vessel owners, who
alone understand the benefit they
will reap by run into fresh water,
aside from the great benefit to our
community, and grant our prayer.
The South since the war has had to
struggle hard to regain her power.
The devastation caused by the war
forced stagnation in every depart.
ment Of business that has taken all
these years to bring into a perfected
renewed life. But the sun of pros
perity has broken through the clouds
of adversely, and nothing can keep
our beloved State from taking her
place side by side with the richest
markets OF the world.
Special attention Is called to the
reading Of the statistics, and the
reader is requested TO note that, not
withstanding the yellow fever scare
OF last fail, the almost unjust quaran.
tine Of six weeks this spring, which
had most paralytic effect on business
and the dull times caused by the war;
against all these odds the wonderful
increase over last year shows to what
extent the lumber business may in.
crease.
Closely allied to the lumber trade Is
the turpentine and rosin, which Is
gathered In immense quantities and
shipped from this port, bringing into
circulation thousands OF dollars and
employing hundreds OF laborcrs. 9th.
or lines OF business which space will
not permit entering into Is displayed
In the statistics.
This is indeed a remarkable part OF
our country, and "pity 'tis' the world
Of capital has so long been kept In
ignorance Of its wonderful pOssibili-
1 iec