Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-02-08
THE MISSISSIPPI.
A Bill lfOr the Improvement of the Father
Of Waters.

OF Waters.
Special Telegraphic Cor. Courier-J ournal.
WASHINGTON, Februrry D. The
house to-day passed the bill creating
commission to report plan for the
permanent and comprehensive i'm
provement of the Mississippi river.
The amendments offered by Messrs.
Robertson, Ellis and Gibson, of Louis
lana, making large appropriations for
immediate expenditure in improving
the river, were withdrawn, as it was
seen that they were in contradiction
of the bill proper, and, if factiously
adhered to, would endanger the pass
age Of any bill. The question was de
bated in the house last night, and for
few minutes to-day There was moth
ing of partisanship in the debate or
votes. Randall Gibson, in the course
of remarks to-day, said that it was no
idle speculation to say that the jetties
during the past year had saved to the
people of the Mississippi valley more
than their cost, Notwithstanding the
paralyzing effect of the epidemic dur
ing the year Mr.. Gibson also favored
the consideration of the Cowden er
outlet system, as proposed by Reagan S
amendment, but he did not think it
so important as the other systems.
Money, OF Mississippi, said that year
after year levee bills had received
unanimous reports, but none had been
passed He objected to the amend
ments which forestalled the action of
the commission There were a num-
Der Of amendments adopted, but, be-
yond one or two, they were merely in
the way Of perfecting the phraseology
of the law.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
The bill as passed provides for a
commission of five persons to be Sc
lected by the President, three of whom
shall be army engineers and two from
civil life. The clause that the two
civilians should be familiar with the
navigation of the river by reason of
residence and experience was stricken
out. 1t is the duty of the commission
to complete surveys of the river from
Alton, which place was substituted
for st. Louis to-day, to the mouth of
the river The secretary of war is to
aid the commission by giving them
the use of such vessels as may be nee
essary and all instruments that may
be needed The commission is to
take into consideration plans and esti-
mates for the correction and perma-
nent location, and deepening of
the channel, and for the pro
lection of the alluvial lands
of the Mississippi delta from overflow,
as may be suggested by any member
or by any other persons. The clause
regarding alluvial lands was put to a
separate vote, and was kept in by a
vote Of l28 to 80. Reagan, who had
been advocating the Cowden outlet
system, offered an amendment naming
the jetty, leyee and Cowden system as
to be considered by the commission.
and the amendment was adopted. The
plan and estimates decided upon by
the commission are to be reported to
congress, and, if approved by con
gress, it is to be carried on by the sec
retary of war, as all public works or
dered by congress. The commission is
allowed the privilege to report to the
secretary war, prior to the ecompletion
of all surveys, such immediate works
as closing outlets and gaps, as may be
thought necessary to secure an earlier
correction, and which will be part of
the general system of works. Another
section provides for letting contracts
for the works, after the system has
been approved by congress. The secre-
tary of war is to detail from the engi-
neer corps a secretary for the commits
sion. Two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars is appropriated for the compile
tlOn of the surveys and necessary
expenses, such as the salaries of civil
ian commissioners, who are each to
receive $1,000 annually.