Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-20
Imnrovinr the MIssissIppI.

Improving the Mississippi.
The Mississippi River improvement
Convention, which will assemble at st.
Louis on the 26th inst. promises TO be
a notable gathering. Fifteen hundred
delegates, representing every city at all
important in the great valley, are expect
ed to be present. The action OF such 8
body speaking for such great and varied
interests must have weight, and the out
come ofits deliberations should encourage
hope of the speedy attainment of the OBJ
iect in view. This great water way, with
the attention hitherto bestowed upon it,
hassbeen of vast. benefit to the territory it
drains, and the benefit it has in store will
be in an astonishing ratio If anything
Ike the care due it is given to it The
subject of the improvement of the Mis-
sissippi has long occupied the minds of
those who foresaw its possibilities. The
coming convention will, doubtless, ex-
haust the discussion of the matter and
submit such plans as will carry with
them the assurance Of their practical
bilily.
We're it possible for local and private
enterprise to perform the vast task the
prospect for its execution would be far
brighter. But, as recourse will be had
to Congress, question arises as to
whether to appeal to that body for the
the Mississippi separately or in common
with other streams great and small in
the usual river and harbor bill AS Con-
gress by common consent has assumed
10 further schemes, good, bad and in.
different, for the improvement of water
routes, It might we'll give aid to such a
vast national end as the improvement Of
the Mississippi. But whether the hon
orsble member, who thinks that the
braWllng Kiskiminetss that would not
float a toy ship deserving Of aid, would
vote aid for the Mississippi alone is
doubtful. AS there are many Others
like him, the fate Of separate appeal
would be uncertain. Again, a large
item for the Mississippi in the general
bin would prompt extravaganza in those
for other streams, and thus might
defeat the object in view.
II the streams most worthy Of attention
could be singled out and improved, the
next in importance could be then attend
ed to, and money now squandered in
partial improvements would return value
for value The work done on the Mis-
sissippi must be done continuously and
well to be of value. Partial work is
useless.
In connection with the improvement
and the attitude Of Congress towards it,
thefollOwiDg expression of opinion by
Hon. John 81. Reagan, of Texas. is Of
interest. Mr.. Reagan says:
This subject has been several times dis
cussed in the House Committee on Commerce
| ami fear that an attempt 10 secure separate
appropriations for that great work viii result
in failure One Of the evils which has so far at
| tended our efforts ct river and harbOr improve
i
a given number of works OF Improvement and
| appropriate money enough to complete them.
/ Partial appropriations for such work are very
expensive to the government But have not
seen the time when any but general bill.
| which would cover the more important works
| in all parts Of the Union, could be passed. /
| do not believe you can get the Represents
I tives and Senators from the Atlantic, the
Pacific and the great lake States to support a
| separate Dill for the Improvements OF the Mis-
| sssibi. Nor do believe any bill OF this kind
| can be passed which proposes 70 improve the
waters Of any portion OF the Union, discon-
| nected with provisions for improving the waters
! Of other portions Of the Union. cannot now
undertake 70 state the reasons for this opinion,
| but there will 10 doubt be members of the con-
| Veption who understand and can state them IL
| necessary I make this statement becau.e
| think il might be unfortunate fer the conven-
ton TO take distinct grounds for a separate ap-
preparation for the Mississippi l should have
| no difficulty voting tor such MEASURE, but
feel sure many others would"
1t is to be hoped that the convention
will act with such discretion as sin pro.
mote the furtherance Of its object, and
that in dealing with the question Con
gress will treat it with the justice it de-
mands.