Year: 1877

Especial Correspondence of the Democrat.


ST. LOUIS, July 13.-The project OF estab-
fishing line of steamships from New Or
leans to Brazil, with a barge line running in
connection between New Orleans and st.
Louis, has


LATELY BEEN REVIVED,


and the prospect of early success may be
pronounced promising. AS this in an enter
prise in which the people of New Orleans are
particularly interested your correspondent
to-day made tour of inquiry among
the commercial and river men in
search of information on the subject
1t seems that the effort made in this direction
some time ago was temporarily abandoned,
or rather the matter was permitted to remain
in abeyance until the jetties could furnish a
sufficient depth of water for the passage of
heavy draught vessels. It is now, however,
deemed advisable to renew the undertaking
in time to have the line in operation by the
coming fall. Several meetings were held
here, but the proceedings and the purpose
were kept secret, because Of the opposition
that might arise to the enterprise. The pro-
iectors hope and believe that the government
will


GRANT A SUBSIDY


for this purpose, and memorial to this
effect will be laid before Congress at the spe-
cial session in October The Pacific steam
ship line and the Panama line have both
manifested opposition to the project Of
steamship line between New Orleans and
Brazil, and it was feared that If the purpose
to ask subsidy became public these lines
would prepare to defeat it.


The purpose is to run small steamers, not
exceeding 1900 tons burthen, that they
may get over the bar in Southwest Pass
easily. David B. Could of this city, the pub
Usher of the st. Louis Directory, was author
lied to confer with owners of steamships in
regard to furnishing the vessels and he is
now in Montreal for that purpose. A letter
WIS rtctf fyed ffUtu large Eng fisf1
ing all the vessels necessary on the most lib
eral terms. Further correspondence with the
firm was had, and the result is that Mr..
Gould has gone to Montreal to inspect some
vessels there and consult with an agent of the
English firm in reference to landing the yes
sells at New Orleans in time to begin opera
tions in September or October. The Allan
line also offered vessels, but upon examina-
ton, they proved to be too large and too
costly. The object is to


RUN SMALL VESSELS


at as little expense as possible.


The Mississippi Valley Transportation Com
pany offers to transport freight for this
steamship line to and from New Orleans at
the lowest possible rates, and to make such
arrangements as the merchants of st. Louis
desire. Other transportation routes will no
doubt make like offers, and there will be no
difficulty in getting transportation facilities
between your city and this at satisfactory
rates.


An arrangement has been entered into with
the Pacific and Panama steamships that has
induced them to withdraw all opposition to
the projected line. The plan is to have the
Brazil steamers make connection with the
Panama steamers at some convenient port,
and there mail and passengers can be trans
ferred. For instance, passengers for ports
reached by the Panama and Pacific steamers
can go out from New Orleans on the Brazil
steamers and make connection with the
former, instead of going to New York or out
to the Pacific coast by rail.


The


PROJECT IS PROMISING,
because it does not require the outlay of any
money. Vessels of the proper size and capa-
city that are now lying idle, are ready to
enter the trade, and all that is necessary to
insure the success of the enterprise is a small
subsidy Among the best posted ones here
no doubt is entertained of the action of Con-
gresson this matter. The lower House, it will
be remembered, did once pass bill granting
subsidy for this purpose, but at the
last moment it was defeated in the
Senate for want of proper management


The Importance of steamship line between
this country and Brazil is realized by every
man with ability to think and understand,
and certainly there are few Congressman who
do not appreciate the necessity. The enter
prise here is in the hands of some of our best
men, and though very little noise is being
made over it, the prospects are encouraging.


BANKS FAILING.


Bank suspensions are of almost daily occur
renee in st. Louis now. The State National
closed it's doors several weeks ago with about
SO, 100000 of depositors' money short. The
German Savings Bank followed suit the other
day, and on Wednesday the Iron Mountain
Bank announced it's suspension. Rumors of
the failing condition of other banks are thick,
and there is very general uneasiness. Yes
terday and to-day some pretty heavy runs
were made on all the banks. Confidence in
banking institutions of all classes is very
much shaken, and thousands of persons are
drawing out their money and locking it up in
the Safe Deposit Company's vaults. In fact,
this mode of keeping money is becoming
very popular here. People say they prefer to
retain the principal rather than risk losing
it with the interest.


The failure Of the State National has
already brought down several country banks,
and no doubt more will follow soon. Many Of
the country banks kept their balances in the
State National and some of them can not
possibly survive until the banks affairs are
wound up.


THE TRAIN wRECKERS.


The four villains who recently attempted to
wreck passenger train on the st. Louis and
G Poi iIraod for tho p11rpoco ofr rob-