The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1906-09-25

gomcry at Goss's bar. Judge Burton
knew of this work, Its extent and Its
purpose. He seemed TO know every
bar. in the river and every crek that
emptied in 1t 1t was his first trip
down the Alabama, but he knew the
map of the river as a school child
knows it's primer. The reports of the
expert engineers who had examined
the river he had sNdied and had at
the end OF his tongue.
Such names as Upper Brother Bar.
Lower Brother Bar. O'Possum Light.
Soapstone Bluff and Gardeners Island,
which meant nothing to the Alabama
layman, were to him familiar names.
If there was anything he needed. how
ever. to add to his store of Informal
ton 1t was quickly supplied by Cap
tain Quill, who for half century had
made a study of the vagaries and CO.
quetries of the inconsistent current Of
the Alabama.
In the meanwhile. the other mem
bers of the party, at ease, contented
and restful. sat smoking in the bow
famed by a delightful river breeze.
They discussed the need of river I'M
provement on the Alabama Its effect
uuon Industrial conditions and the
remarkable success of w. F. Vandiver
in the last Congress who went before
the Rivers and Harbors Committee
asking for $4,000 and to his own sur
prise got four times that amount. And
the crowd was duly entertained by the
great fund of stories that the Ala
bama Congressman always keep on
hand.
Luncheon and Speeches.
Two meals were served aboard the
Twining during the trip and both were
delightful. The excellence of steamboat
cooking has become a proverb. The
enticing fare set before steamboat
passengers has in It's excellence come
down through the years as a fond ira
dition. The cooks aboard the Twinips
sustained the ancient reputation OF the
river chefs and there was not guest
aboard the boat that did not eat heart
lily and enjoy to the fullest the fine
breakfast and luncheon set before
them, cooked and served in true steam
boat style.
Within twenty miles of Selma the
Speaking began. 1t was at unsheon
and a fine luncheon 1t WAS, too. A
strict limit was put upon everybody
that spoke except Judge Burton. The
party wanted to hear him talk as much
as he felt like talking. In recognition
of his splendid service for the rivers
and harbors of Alabama the limit was
taken off for Congressman John II.
Rankhead, but the rest of the speakers
Rad to keep the bride on.
The speaking went on as the Twin
ing gllded through the green banks that
line the Alabama. Mr.. Vandiver pre-
sided and made the orening address.
we, of Alabama said Mr.. Vandi-
ver "have neglected our great river.
We have neglected II more in the past
than we are neglecting 1t now, but we
ere now receiving the benefits an
advantages that should come from this
great waterway through the heart OF
Alabama. We have effected an organi-
cation, an organization which has al
ready had it's results. We have passed
today the work that is ih progress
towards the Improvement of the river,
' hich came of the organized effort 10
lay before Congress in direct
straightforward way the claims Of the
Alabama for improvement.
We have advocated no experiment.
we have not urged that Congress-
spend money in order to build up our
business. We have not advocated the
spending of money for the building up
Of business of the future. Our com
merce is here now The counties
touched by the Alabama have today
business of $14, 900. Think OF
that. Consider how that business may
he increased aud how the business OF
those counties. tributary to the coun-
ties touched by improvements that will
give us naVigable river the year
around,
Mr.. Nandiver recounted his expert
ence in Washington when he went to
get $4,000 and was given 100000 by
the River and Harbors Committee. a
hcary laugh IN which Judge Burton
Joined followed the statement Of Mr..
Nandiver that he had been told all
ever Washington that Judge Burton
is a cold business proposition" Mr..
Vandiver described the scene before
the Rivers and Harbors Committee
when he appeared to ask for his ap-
rropriation aud when he felt nettIed
because 1t did rot appear to him that
Judge Burton was listening to his
argument. In a few minutes, from
question asked by Judge Burton he
found that the Judge had gone deeper
into the improvement of the Alabama
than even the printed pamphlet by the
alabama River Improvement Com
mittee had in answering those ques-
tons Mr.. Vandiver said that he had
brushed aside the other members %
the committee and had found himself
without knowing how he got there,
face to face arguing with Judge Bur-
ton.
Judge burton Speaks.
He called upon Judge Burton I"
sreak to the party ard Judge Burton
was given q hearty and enthusiastic
greeting. He spoke fceungly of tine
grave responsibility that rested upop
the chairman Of a committee such as
the Rivers and Harbors Committee of
Congress. The position he said was
rich in opportunities for doing good.
1t was rich. too. in opportunities for
making mistakes.
Il think that should say to you.
gentlemen" said Judge Burton, that
never at any time or on any occasion,
banquet rootherwise. have l ever Civ
en- a promise. l am sure that you are
not now expecting me TO break the
rule that has guided me in. the dis
charge of my grave duties. Moreover.
It is better not TO promise anything
Il L L.. - l.