The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-10-15
TIE MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION

THE MlSSlSElPPl RIVER UUMMls6lUN.
| The people of Louisiana and of the South
have not, as we believe, D very clear Idea OF
the scope and purposes OF the act which was
passed at the last session OF Congress,
creating the Mississippi river commission
There Is a general and rather vague Idea that
the act contemplates some Improvement Of
the river, but few realize that the purpose 10
to make the Mississippi the grandest COM
merclal highway In the world, to confine the
majestic stream within Its banks and to
broaden and deepen It's channel until upon Its
bosom the fleets 81 the world may find ample
space and absolute security from the jetties.
at It's mouth, to St Louis and beyond.
The grandeur OF this design is worthy Of
the marvellous century In which we live, and
| 1t Is an evidence OF the tremendous strides OF
science In recent years that the present
generation will probably live to witness the
accomplishment of the ultimate purposes Of
this act.
From Gen. II. Il. Gibson, who introduced
the act, we learn that this act is the result Of
q three years struggle with opposing innu-
ences. The North and East persistently re-
building the levees or for improving the Mis-
sissippi anything but job for the reclama-
ton Of overfowed lands, and hence they
strenuously voted against every measure OF
that character brought before Congress. They
planted themselves on the constitution and
declared that nowhere In that instrument
could authority be found for expanding one
dollar for the reclamation OF lands subject to
overflow, and hence all arguments based on
that idea and all bills having that end In view
were steadily and successfully opposed.
Realizing the situation after much and
deep reflection, and after discussing the sub
ject with the leading representative men
from all sections OF the country, Gen. Gibson
determined to take the ground that the Inn
provement Of the Mississippi ID clearly ma
tional work. because 1t LIS q grand highway Of
commerce, belonging to tho nation and not to
the States on Its border, who could not II they
would enter into any agreement regarding Its
Improvement, being debarred therefrom by
the constitution itself. He claimed that under
the constitutional provision giving Congress
the exclusive right to regulate commerce 1t
was absolutely incumbent upon the govern
ment to undertake this work, which
was Of such vast Importance to tho people Of
the whole country, and especially to the
jewellers in the richest and most productive
valley In the world. He showed that the Re-
public itself had Its origin In the necessities
of commerce, and In the language OF Mr..
Webster, "for its immediate object the relief
of those necessities by removing their causes
and by establishing uniform and steady
system" Commerce, he argued, meant navi-
cation. and therefore we had the unquestion-
able right to deepen rivers and harbors, and
to appropriate money for those purposes !;
1t meant more than navigation. which re-
quired many appliances for Its ease and safety,
and hence the general government annually
appropriated millions OF dollars for the erec-
ton Of lighthouses, to build shelterlng piers,
buoys and water-gaps, all Of which are in
tended for the protection Of commerce against
the dangers OF navigation: 1t signlned also
the exchange OF commodities and trade, and
the intercourse among people.
The bill which he offered In the last Con-
gress Is based on the eighth section OF article
of the constitution.
In his speeches before the House he CON
tended that levees and jetties are commercial
appliances, that when applied to the
Mississippi river they Will benefit trade
and commerce, deepen the channel of the
rlvar, afford protection In storms, and enable
TIC people dwelling On the banks to exchange
their products over them as merchants do
over their counters; that as the revenue
power or the constitution when exercised by
the government affords incidental protection
to American manufactures. by discriminating
In favor OF certain articles, as, for instance
Iron. cotton goods, silk, wines, ETC., 80 as
when we come to exercise the commercial
power we may likewise afford Incidental pro-
lection to the agricultural interests of the
great valley.
The result OF these arguments and the la
bors Of all our Representatives In Congress
was the passage Of the bill creating the Mis-
stssippl River Commission for the improve
ment Of the river from Its mouth to Its head
waters. The commission, which Is composed
OF the ablest engineers In the world. Is to
complete such surveys as were In progress at
the time the act was passed, and to make
such additional surveys, examinations and In
designations. Typographical, photographed
and hydrometrical, OF the river and Its tribu-
taries as may be deemed necessary to carry
out the purpose Of the act. Fortunately, the
commission Is not bound down to any one
plan, but are to report upon the 'practicabil-
ity, feasibility and probable cost Of the va
rious plans known as the jetty system and
the outlet system as we'll as upon such others
as they deem necessary"
It is made the duty Of the commission to
take into consideration and mature plan
that will correct, permanently locate and
deepen the channel and protect the banks Of
the Mississippi river; improve and give
safety and case to the navigation thereof;
prevent destructive floods; promote and IA
cilitate commerce. trade, and the postal ser
vice"
When this plan shall be prepared and pre-
sented to Congress Endorsed by the eminent
gentlemen and engineers who compose the
commission there cannot be reasonable
doubt about its adoption and the Immediate
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