Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-04-21
TIE RIVER.

TIE RIVER.
The present food in the Missis-
sippi river is remarkable in several
instances, and is worthy of a care.
full investigation. 1t is remarkable
as having come almost entirely from
the Ohio and its tributaries, though
none of them have been extremely
high during the last few months
All Of them have been full, but not
remarkably SO. And the upper
Mississippi and Missouri have not
been very high until quite recently,
their floods having no part in the
disastrous ~overlowS now rayaging
the lower Mississippi. 1t is re-
markable for having reached at
Memphis the highest point known,
and yet more remarkable for its ex.
IRENE hight below here, being from
ten to twelve inches above the
highest known food in the vicin-
ity of Chicot City. Of course the
recent floods in White and Arkan-
sas rivers have had something to do
with the condition of affairs at
Chicot. But it has often occurred
before for these streams to send out
floods during the prevalence of high
water in the Mississippi. Yet at
no former period, even when the
Missouri and Ohio have by their
united efforts flooded the lower
Mississippi from Cairo down, with
the floods Of White and Arkansas
to reinforce them, have the floods
reached the point now attained
below here. In view of these facts
would it not be well for some skill
full engineer to be specially ap-
pointed to investigate the subject
and see if the leyee system is not
failure, and to some extent re.
sponsible for the floods? The
levees recently built in the
State of Mississippi at such fearful
cost, inficting a most b1rthensome
tax on the river counties, have con.
fined the water within the river,
serving them to their present hight
until no longer able to resist the
floods, they are giving way every
day, causing sections heretofore
considered beyond the reach Of
high water to be flooded. Millions
of dollars have been spent in efforts
to protect the Valley of the MisSis-
sippi, and efforts are being made
now to secure from Congress an.
other fund to spend in this way.
Before another dollar is appropri-
ated for levees would it not be we'll
to carefully investigate the subject,
and see if there is not a better plan
for protection. There are many
sensible men who have for years
commended that the levees
would ultimately fail, and
have suggested other plans
for reclaimining the oyerfowed
lands. In view of the fact that a
not extraordinary rise in the Ohio
has flooded the lower Mississippi,
would it not be well to be cautious
how we spend anymore money on
%levees? If there had been from
Cairo to the mouth of White river
such a levee as those who favor the
levee system would build, combining
the waters from the Ohio until thew
reached those from White and Ar.
kansas rivers, what would have
been the result below that point
These are questions worthy of care
full thought, and a competent engi
neer, not in the interest of levet
contractors or any other ring
should be appointed to investigate
and report what is best for the gen.
eral welfare of our valley friends
Until this is done not another dol
lar should be spent or the people
further taxed for such questionable
improvements as levees.
-@--
The forger Winslow is unexpect
eddy detained in England by The