The Jimplecute. (Jefferson, Tex.) 18??-1907, 1904-12-17
THE NAVIGATION OF CYPRESS
RIVER.

worked up by the introduction of
Congressman Sheppard's bill to
remove the dam put In twelve
mile bayou by special act of Con-
gress for the benefit of that Com
pany. That the dam was not in.
tended to be permanent is evil
denced by the Secretary of Wars
reply regarding the bill when it
was first passed In this reply,
the Secretary, stated that when
ever conditions demanded the OBJ
struction would be removed. The
time has come for the removal and
the obstruction will either have to
be removed or a system of locks
put in, so as to permit the pa ssage
of any size boats In fact this was
suggested in the letter aboye refer
red to, to the Secretary of War.
The articles in the Shreveport
Times on the question of naviga-
ton of Cypress River are so absurd
and preposterous that it is scarcely
deemed advisable to reply to them.
MOI one word attempting to prove
that Cypress River is not navigable
is brought forth. 1t merely deals
in the most fragrant and absurd as
sertions, predicated on neither
truth, conditions, nor the past.
Unfortunately for the Water Works
Company, Chairman Burton and
his Committee examined the worst
portion of Cypress River and they
know whether or not the river is
navigable, therefore the unsupport-
ed assertions of the various parties
in. the Times cannot carry any
weight. If Shreveport would take
business view of the question,
the commercial interest of that
city would be in hearty accord with
the question of opening up the
navigation between Shreveport and
Jefferson. In this wav the mer.
chants of that city could easily
reach the trade of North East Tex
as, and by putting branch houses
here be masters Of the situation.
1t is apparent that the wagon
bridge over the dam is of re i'm. ON
portance to the land owners than
the trade which opening up the
navigation would give to Shreve.
port. These land owners would
rather see Shreveport loose the
trade than 60 to the expense of
operating ferry boats to reach their
, farms. The government should
have survey made and see to it
that no one is extending their lands
by reason of the waters having re.
coded by cutting out the raft 1t
would no doubt pay the govern.
ment to thoroughly investigate the
, regained land question. No doubt
it will be done. When it is done,
, it may considerably change the
holdings of some people. 1t is
passing strange how people will go
on record by making positive state.
ments about matters Of which they
have absolutely no knowledge,
Make statements as being liter.
ally true when there is not a
sclntilla of truth to support them
There are very few rivers that at
some season of the year, especially
during long sdrouth, that boats
can't navigate. This frequently
occurs in lower Red river, yet
= would it be just and the truth to
say such rivers were not navigable
streams. The Water Works Com
pany, of Shreveport, will either
, have to put in lock or take out
the dam. 1t is the governments
duty to protect the general Interest
of the public, and the rights of the
individuals, when in 80 doing the
interest of the general public Is no
damaged by protesting individual
rights. By what law can the Ma
tional Government, absolutely de
6 stroy the navigation of river tina
e affords protection to a territory lar
ger than most states, simply tt
g protect a private corporation, an,
s. to furnish roadway to certain
. tracts of land, that possibly il
h equity and justice, belongs to tn
| government, if in Louisiana, and j
N in Texas belongs to the state. TIL
n JIMPLEoUTE does not entertain tn
f. f. slightest doubt but that the Shep
}. pard bill will either become a la,
ID or the Water Works Company vii
II have put in a system of locks
re- The Rivers and Harbors Commit
i, tee thoroughly understand the sit
At uation, hence no good can come {
a misrepresentation of the tru
y condition.