The true Democrat., 1856-12-16
Swamp Lands.

is now by far the most important interest under their consideration, we are rejoiced to see they arc proceeding with the greatest deliberation. By mature deliberaton, we doubt not wise , and efficient policy in regard to the reclama- ton of swamp and overhowed lands will be finally adopted. The members seem to be welded blindly to no particular views, but, on the contrary, to be willing to adopt any that will rebound to the benefit and the welfare of the State at large.
 Upon examination of the reports of the swamp land engineers, and inquiry at the swamp land office, for additional information of transactions since those reports were made, we find the following results:
 According to the report of MT. Hughes, swamp land engineer, there is of completed levee on the Mississippi river, between the mouth of the Arkansas and the Louisiana line, 5411 miles; 21 miles of high bank needing no levee; and 21 miles which require levying.- Or these 2l miles which require levying, we learn, there are now under contract of recent date about8la mies-leaving below the mouth of the Arkansas about 13 miles of levying to be provided for.
 According to the report of Major Thompson, swamp land engineer, there remains to be com- pleted on the Mississippi river, between the Missouri line and the northern boundary of Desha county, about 20 miles of levee-of | which thers are under contract, of date 1st February, 1856, about 10 miles; leaving about 10 miles unlevied and to be provided for.
 There may be five or six miles of levee, not more, to be provided for in Desha county above the mouth of White river on the Mississippi. Between the mouths of the Arkansas and White rivers, we learn, levyingis impracticabe.
 From these statements, it appears there re- main to be levied, on the Mississippi river, be- tween the Missouri and Louisiana lines, some 2S or 29 miles.
 According to MT. Hughes report there is on the south side of the Arkansas river, in Desha county, 221a miles of completed levee, and l11a miles of gaps. Mir. Dickson, swamp land engineer, in his report says the most im- portant part of the levee in Pulaski, Jefferson, and Arkansas counties, on the south side of the river, is finished or under contract The leveeS on the north side of the river have been finished in detached pieces, and some of them would be of little use in time of an overflow unless they are connected.
 Thus it will be seen that at the very out side there cannot be exceeding 50 miles of gaps to fill up on these two rivers.
 In onr lat paper we showed that there still remained to the State between five and six millions of swamp and overfowed lands, more than enough in our opinion to reclaim all the valuable swamp land in the State. We show ed there were five or six millions of acres after redeemng all the scrip now outstanding.
 Much--too much, has already been spent upon levying the Mississippi aud the lower Arkansas, whilst other streams have remained alm ost entirely neglected. But the question is now whether we shall go on and finish the work, or whether we shall abandon it, and lose aN that we have expended. To go on and finish t can be done at an expense, ln our opinion, of not exceeding half million of acre5-and o 5 and SIX millions, when the land to be re- claimed is so extensive and so valuable? The truth is, the eastern part of the State of Arkan- sas, unless wei! levied, is three fourths of it, valueless. It is alluvial land, once submerged, now the richest soil in the world, and if re- claimed, will bring Arkansas at once to pitch of prosperity equal to the most favored State in the Union.
 To abandon the immediate prosecution of t bis work, and to suffer two annual overflows to rush in torrents through the gaps now exist. ing, destroying and washing away the work we have done at so great an expense, will be a po- licy too runious 10 be really for moment thought of.
 w Wbatever, therefore, the General Assembly should do in our estimation, it should prose- cute to completion, without delay, tbis branch of the swamp land work. It can be done un- der safe guards that will prevent the extrava- gance of former work such as selling the land for cash and paying for the work in spece-f not under this policy, some other that will be certainly safe and economical
 We have an abiding confidence this legisa- ture will do what is wise and proper on this subject before it adjours. The people are looking forward with great deal of anxiety to their action.