The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1877-02-20
IMPROVEMENT OF THE MJsSIS.
AIPpl.

Hon. T.. b. Watkins, the efficient mi
nority representative from the Fifty
first senatorial district, approaching the
great Importance of the movement to inn
prove the Mississippi river, inaugurated
the discussion of the matter in the gen.
eral assembly, by the introduction, on the
10th inst, OF the following preamble and
resolution
WHEREAS, The Mississippi valley has
heretofore received from the general gov
eminent but meagre apr OPERATIONS for
the improvement OF its rivers and har-
bors. aud these small appropriations have
been for the most part injudiciously ex-
pended; and
WHEREAS, the said valley and slopes
produce the great bulk of the agricultu
raj supplies OF the country, and the pro.
dueing classes OF orr people here have
been and still are compelled to ship the
products of their Industries to tide water
over expensive lines of railways at a cost
of twenty per centum of the gross value
OF such products, tribute which they
can lily afford to pay monopolists, and
from which they Of rights should be pro-
tected by the general government; and
WHEREAS, Ii the navigation of the Mis-
sissippI river and its tributaries should
be improved by the judicious eXpendi-
ture of liberal appropriations made by
congress our surplus products could
| reach tide-water by way of New Orleans.
| at cost Of only six per centum of their
| gross value. saving TO the western pro-
| ducers fourteen per centum OF the gross
| value of the products of their industries,
| which they would lose if compelled to
reach tide-water through unnatural
| channels: and
| WHEREAS, BY means of the first lib
eral appropriation made by congress for
| the removal OF distractions to the navi-
CATION of these western rivers, the
mouth of the Mississippi has been sue
| cessiully opened to commerce, but the
benefits resulting from the consumma-
| ton of this great enterprise can only be
partially enjoyed by the inhabitants OF
| the slopes and valley OF the Mississippi
unless their means OF egress be facili-
tated by improving the navigation Of
these western rivers and
WHEREAS, by a juciciously expended
appropriation, commensurate with tho
benefits which would result therefrom
the channel OF the Mississippi river be
tween the mouth OF the Missouri rive
and the Cult of Mexico, might be short
ened nearly 200 miles, which, togethe
with the removal OF The bars which retar(
the velocity OF the current, this grea
stream might be subdued and the i'm
mense adjacent territories Of productive
ness, now worthless from annual inunda
ton and resulting malaria, might b
reclaimed and utilized therefore be it
Resolrtd, By the house OF representa-
tives, the senate cOncurring herein, tina
| T.1tt
is hereby memorlalized to make just. lit
eral and sufficient appropriations for tn
permanent Improvement OF the navigs
ton of the Mississippi river and Its trit
utaries and their harbOrs and In the eN
penditure of any money which may be $
appropriated, and In all contracts fO
such river and harbor Improvement. thu
J congress adopt like rules add stipuli
tons as i'm the contract with Capt. jaime
b. Eads by the act of congress approve
! March 3, 1875.