Southern telegraph., 1838-02-06
Goss .1c.y'sssE's Message
on INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

oAs A.S FINAL lMPNOt II
Iotic Legislature Of the State of N;ssis-
dppi:-l submit to the consideration of the
legislature the report Of the commissioners
'ppoin'ed to contract Cor and superintend
the opening Of the Yazoo and Cold Water
Pass, from which it appears that the work
VIII not he completed in the stipulated time.
From representations, arm induced to be-
lieve that the work was commenced in an
'nludcious manner. The c mtractor began
MS operations at the upper end Of the Pass,
md did not cnt up the trees until recently,
when the Mississippi rose, and tho water
commenced running through the pass,-thc
trees driffed into compact masses, and great
~ injured the navigation last year. The
commissioners also apprehended that the
logs now cat will drift into the bayou when
ever they leave the lake, and again obstruct
the navigation Of the Pass.
The vast importance Of this Improvement
to the whole Yazoo valley, conmends it to
the favorable consideration of the legisla-
ture, and the required appropriation trust
will be cheerfully made.
Experience has fully demonstrated that
the contract system will not answer for the
Improvement of the navigation Of rivers
Contracts are sought for by individuals, in
order to obtain the usu,l advance-the
funds OF the State are often perverted 10 pri-
vate purposes, and contracts rarely execut-
ed according to stipulation. 1t requires the
constant supervision of competent engineers
to effect internal improvements. Commits
s'oners seldom possess the requisite know
ledge, and will not give their personal at
tention for the usual compensation.
Having lately traversed every portion of
the State, 4 can safely affirm that the Chick
asawhay, Leaf, Pascagoula, Pearl, Big
Black, Yazoo, Tallahatchie, Cold Water,
and Tombigby rivers could he greatly inn
proved at a small expense. By extracting
| the logs from the beds of the various rivers,
and cutting pendant trees from the banks
and points, navigation would be made prac-
ticabIe for great distances up the several
streams, portion Of the year for steam
boats of light draughts, and keel boats could
ascend nearly to their sources.
An expenditure Of two hundred thousand
dollars, jndiciously applied, would annually
save to the people of the State nearly that
sum. now expended in hauling merchnndize
and the staple of the country great distan-
ces over bad roads.
! The surplus revenue appor:ioned to Mis-
sissippi is unappropriated. feel confident
that it will never be called for by Congress
and if it should be, it can, by the terms o
the act, only be demanhed in gradual install
ments. We should, however. he prepared
to refund the deposite, should it be unex
pectedly required.
a portion of the fund could he safely in
vested in the purchase of slaves. That spc
cies of property is now low and could be
used with great advantage in removing oh
structIons in the various navigahie streams
if placed under the control of suitable engi
neers and managers. When the works are
completed, the slaves can be sold, perhaps
for as much as they would now cost. Th'
: fund could then be applied to the promotion
: Of education, opening roads, and such othe
: purposes as the interests of the State Nigh
require.
This scheme has been prosecuted wit
eminent success in several of the southern
States. Bayou BEuf, in Louisiana, wa
opened by slave lAbor-lOt a single slav
died during the prosecution Of the work, an
t0ey were afterwards old for more than tn
original cost. White lats,r, ouE rise CT:
could not be procured for less than thirt
dollars per month, and would be difficult
obtain in the summer scason-.he only pc
Rod at which much of the work could b
done. Being fully convinced that the fun
would not be squandered If placed unde
the control Of commissioners and contract
ors, and also, that it would be impossible
specify in contracts the work to be perform
: ed by the contractors, respectfully recon-
> mend to the legislature the adoption OF tn
plan suggested. 1t would also be adyisabl
to organize corps Of engineers, TO surve
: and make estimates for various other inter
. nal Improvements. The rapid increase {
the State in wealth and population, demand
;. we'll digested plan of improvements. to b
: made at the public expense for the geners
good.
e A. G. McNUTT.
: Erccutirc Department, Jan. Is, 1888.
!, From the Madisonian.
J, TIE GRAND RESULT.
Cancellation Concessions Compromise
!, The S,,b-Treasury Scheme and the exclu