The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-27
Nv ednesday, June q, 1906.
Danming the Savannah.

III The Press and Banner Is good friend TO
SMr. Mechine, but we hope that the valuable
water OF Savannah River may not be requir-
ed TO run to waste for the sake OF any little
Z batteaus that may possibly run up and down
the stream. The water power is of the most
vital importance in the building up OF their
portion OF the country, while the stream as
water way for boats IL OF very slight benefit
to the public. Congress has always refused
TO help make the mountain steams naviga-
Bile. Two reasons may be assigned. The
: water is not sufficient, and the fall is too
great fer even paddle boats OF the lightest
draft. The power OF the Savannah is valua-
bile chiefly because Of the great fall in the
stream. There is not sufficient water to
float boats. And II there was all the water
that Noah had in his flood, the stream at the
shoals would be so swift that no boat could
swim against the current. The swift current
and the projecting boulders, would smash
the boats.
sDeaAs-> pav!g gable streams the head waters OF
the Savannah are worthless. AS water
powers they are beyond any accurate compu-
tation.
The Press and Banner Is good friend to
thing that would advance his Interest. We
do not. however, see how the building OF
dams across the Savannah could hurt any
body.
Mr.. M eschine has appealed TO Congress TO
sustain him in his objection to damming the
Savannah. Long ago when effort was made
TO make the Savannah navigable about
Augusta gentlemen in Congress made joke
Of the matter. One man was willing TO ad.
NIT that there were few holes in the Savan-
nah that would float boat. The only OBJ
lection to making II a navigable stream
rested in the fact OF great scarcity OF water
TO connect the holes. Unless the government
would locks at the different shoals and then
furnish water between holes the Savannah
: could never be navigable stream.
The promoters Of the dam could not and do
not expect to overflow the lands Of those
holding along the banks OF the river without
paying for the privilege or buying the land
ont right at good sum, in which case the
immediate holders will not be materially In
,jured.
IfMr. Meschine will consider the tremen-
dous expense that would be necessary To
make the river navigable above the numer-
ous great falls, even granting that the chan.
mel afforded sufficient water at all times. he
would realize that Congress would never un
dertake 1t. The advantage in freight rates
would never pay even the interest on the
outlay.
On the other hand, q dam across Savannah
River, in the vicinity OF fLowndesville, means
new industries for that vicinity and the
country for miles around. 1t means the sd-
yancement of lands and new fields for en-
ployment OF thousands Of our people.
To undertake to make the Savannah River
q navigable stream is 10 undertake almost an
;impossibility; to make 1t a source OF power
and q means OF advancement in wealth Is the
. natural and inevitable result.
1t is invaluable as a water power but
as q pavigable stream 1t Ia an I'm
possible. No one would realize more ad
vantage In enhancement of land than Mr..
Meschine and there is no one who the Press
and Banner would rather see profit by this
or any other piece OF good fortune.