The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-12-16
Lively Discussion OG the MIssis-
Efppi LeVeeS.

ST. LOUIS, Dee. THE National
Board of Trade continued in session this
morning.
The resolution proposed at the last
annual meeting, asking Congress 10
guarantee bonds issued by the States Of
Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas to
the aggregate amount Of $500, 900, 900
for the purpose of defraying expenses Of
ieveeing the banks Of the Mississippi
river within their limits, was taken up
and discussed at considerable length bys
VIM G. ,,Burwell, Of New Orleans. Mon
roe, of Dubuque, Opdyke, Of New York,
Wetherill, Of Philadelphia, Edward At
kinson, of Boston, and others. The
original resolution was amended so as to
pay tax on the counties within the linn
its proposed to be reclaimed.
Mr.. Wetherll said the State Of Ar
kansas was pledged already to a debt Of
eleven millions of dollars, aud lie was
opposed to saddiing them with an addi-
tsa-.,-.N = $40 yf g. .--t's--~
Leroy Shyrott Of St Louis, said the
question ultimately was this, that not
only should the State Of Arkansas aud
Mississippi be redeemed from loss caused
by the war. but the whole country should
be benefited When the government can
see herself clear she should step forward
and grant her aid in producing Of the
great staple Of these Suites.
Atkinson, Of Boston, said he had
learned that this was not an act Of pri-
vate benefcence, nor to help in the uavi-
cation Of the Mississippi river, but an
act 10 put the government in the cotton
business. 1t was question among SCI
entiic men whether the system Of levees
was the right system to pursue, whether
it did not tend to fill up the mouth Of
the Mississippi and obstruct navigation,
be therefore moved to strike out all that
portion of the resolution that referred to
bonds, so as to ask assistance OF Con-
gress whenever these States shall DO
ready to proceed with this work.
Mr. Stanard of St. Louis, did not
doubt that navigation will be benefited
by the construction of these levees. Cot
ton. sugar, rice and the other staples OF
that country cannot be raised to good
advantage in another portion OF the
South as on these lands, which are pro-
posed to be reclaimed and which were
reclaimed before the war.
Mr. Opdyke, Of New York, thought
Congress was justified in assisting ia tue
construction of these leyees by the pres
ent state of the case aud by the Uniform
past conduct of the Government.
Mr. Roper of Boston, thought there
was something monstrous in the overflow
of these crevases. but did not believe the
enterprise possessed such national char
aeter that the Board could bring it be-
fore the Government. He believed It
should be referred to a committee who
could present the proposition before
them in such shape that all could vote
for it.
Barton Able, of St. Louis, said the
system was not destroyed during the
war, as had been stated, but was iuau
gurated many years ago. The system
was good really, being brought to per-
fection when the war came on. Before
the war the levees were subject to over
flow, but the people were able 10 repair
the loss. The war took away this power.
Almost the entire country south OF Mem
phis is subject to overflow at aDy mo-
ment aud he asked, in all justice, why
the Government should not direct its aiul
to a country so rich and beautiful as
this is?
Mr. Atkinson, of Boston, then offered
a substitute, asking that such improve
ments as may be necessary shall be con-
sidered fair subject Of legislation by
Congress whenever these States. or any
one of them, shall provide by law for the
levying Of the banks Of the Mississippi
within their respective limits. Lost