The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-18
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
Memphis, Tenn, Sept. u, 1877.

strengthening the hands Of our irnme-
date representatives, 1T Is desirable
that they shall carry with them
20 Washington an unmistakable ex-
ression OF popular sentiment on
this most important subject, from
the Rseps Of every ths town nna a Ind
accompanying memorial will be extern
sively circulated, and we would suggest
that you cause q public meeting OF your
citizens to be held, and the official ac-
ton thereof indorsed thereon, or cause
@ separate memorial to be prepared,
covering similar ground. Where public
meetings are impracticable, we recon-
mend that the inclosed memorial be
signed as extensively as possible. Be-
lieving that favorable action on the
part Of Congress may be reasonably ex-
pected II our Representatives are pre-
pared to press the subject vigorously at
the opening of the session, we earnestly
urge upon you the Importance Of early
action, and the return of the memorial
to the undersigned chairman. at date
not later than October IL, 1877.
Very respectfully,
THos. Fl. ALLEN, Chairman
JACOB THOMPSON,
JEROME HILL,
J. O. Nicely,
FL. g. SMITH,
W. 3. GALBREATH,
JAS. s.. RICHARDSON,
Committee Memphis Chamber OF Com
To the Honorable Congress Of the United States:
The undersigned desire to respect
fully represent to your honorable
body the importance OF reclaiming from
overflow the alluvial lands of the Mis-
sissippi river and tributary streams, and
to urge such speedy congressional action
as will be necessary to accomplish that
object within the shortest period posi-
BILE. We are fully persuaded that flour
Senators and Representatives In Con-
gress were correctly advised of the vast
importance OF protecting these fertile
lands from annual inundation, and the
great benefit that would follow, not duly
to that immediate region, but to th9en-
tire country, they would promptly enact
such legislation as would insure an
early completion Of the work.
There is no public enterprise which
the Government could aid with SO much
justice and propriety as this one; nor Is
there one that could be undertaken at
so small an expense, from which such
immense profit to the agricultural and
commercial interests Of the whole coun-
try would result. It is In no sense
local enterprise, for the benefit OF either
corporation or small community OF
private individuals, but it's scope and
extent embraces interests and covers
an extent OF territory OF suffi-
cient magnitude to make emil
nently national in its character This
will be more apparent when the
following facts are even briefly exam.
ined and considered: The region Of
country subject to overflow lies In the
States OF Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and
Louisiana, and embraces within its area
about "a, 100000 acres OF the richest and
most productive corn, cotton, rice and
sugar lands in the world. Ii these
water which annually flows over them,
they would be quickly put In cultiya-
ton, and by a very. moderate
computation it may be safely estimated
than in less than five years the produce
ton of our three great agricultural sta
pies. cotton, rice and sugar, would be
increased more than fifty per cent. Cot
ton is the commodity which more than
all others contributes to our commercial
prosperity and gives us substantial
basis of wealth not possessed by any
other country or people. The high lands
OF the Southern States, upon which q
large portion OF the cotton crop has
heretofore been grown, Is becoming so
much exhausted that in few years
their cultivation In cotton will have to
be abandoned, and the decrease In this
valuable and important product will be
materially felt upon the finances Of the
country. Our expectation Of all articles
now amounts to about $640,000, 900 in
value; by retaining the alluvial Ian ss-
of the Mississippi delta from overflow
the expectation Of cotton, sugar and
rice alone could easily be made to ex-
coed this entire sum.
The action by Congress, here sought
to be had, reclaims from wilderness
and makes fit for cultivation an empire
of agricultural wealth, which, when de-
veloped, will increase the material re- /
sources of the country millions Of dol I
lars. The work Is of such characteIs
that it Is impossible for it to be accom-
pIiehed by the efforts and resources OF
individuals, but must be done under au-F
thority and with the means OF the GEM
eral government. We therefore req
spectfully ask that your honorable body
adopt such legislation at your next sesfI
sion as will give safety and protection
to those districts Of country that are
subject to annual overflow.