Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-24
HON. PoaNDExrER DUNN.

The people of Arkansas never had in the
Congress of the United States an ADLER or
more faithful representative than the Hon.
Poindexter Dunn, OF the First Congressional
district. Ee occupies a high position in the
House of Representatives, and he never
wearies in laboring for his constituents Mr.
Dunn is as conspicuous and much respected
in the House as Mr. Garland is in the Senate,
which is saying much for his ability, popu-
larity and usefulness. He is watchful
and vigilant, never speaks except in the dis
cussion of live issues, and what he has to
say he says in the fewest words, and they are
always plain and to the point. As evidence
OF this we refer to his impromptu speech,
published in another column, delivered on
Wednesday last in a running debate on the
proposed amendments to the rules of the
House. Mr.. King, of Louisiana, introduced
amendment to the rules, which was in
tended to facilitate the improvement of the
Mississippi river, and Mr.. Dunn favored
this amendmen in the speech referred
to. The fret convention ever assem-
bled in the Mississippi valley fer the
purpose Of considering the question of
the improvement of the great finland sea"
was held in Memphis in 1874, over
which presided Hon. John c. Calhoun. At
that time there was strong opposition TO a
general system of internal improvements by
the general government, because men then
respected the constitution. But the greatest
sticklers for a strict observance of the con-
stitution conceded that there we're objects of |
national Importance which should be i'm |
proved by the general government, and that |
the Mississippi river was the most prominent |
for consideration. Heretofore sectional ami
mosities, war and the burdens of providing |
for the national debt have been made ex-
cuses for refusing the needed appropriations |
10 the Mississippi river. But now that these |
Pretexts no longer exist, we find opposition |
10 improving the Mississippi river not on
account OF sectional hatreds, but on account |
of sectional pecuniary interests. The need |
and justice of improving the Mississippi
river is not denied. But it is feared that
the proposed improvement will interfere
with the enormous profits of the monopolies
of the North and East, and hence the oppo-
sition to improving any great southern outlet
to the sea. Every impeachment is thrown in
The way Of securing appropriations to the |
Mississippi river. Even the rules of the
House furnished obstacles to appropriations.
Mr.. Dunn advocates an amendment to the
rules, so as to facilitate the desired appropri-
alton, by taking the question out of the hands
of the committee which would daily and delay
for years, and referring It to a committee that
would promptly recommend an appropria-
lion adequate to the necessities of
The great and important work. The
contest between the people OF the
Mississippi valley, and the monopolies of
other sections will be made upon the bill !
appropriating any amount of money for the
Improvement of the Mississippi river, and
Mr.. Dunn, of Arkansas, by his former
course in Congress and by his recent speech,
has shown that he is an able champion, on
whom the people of the South and West can
lean with hope and confidence. This is a
vital question which deeply concerns the
people of the Mississippi valley, and speak
ing for many of them, the APPEAL returns
thanks to the Hon. Poindexter Dunn, of
Arkansas, for his efforts to secure an appro-
priation which concerns the interests not
only of Arkansas, but the entire South and
West. In his efforts to repeal rule under
the operations of which appropriations
could be indefinitely postponed, he means
business, and in the struggle between the
people and the monopolists he promises to
he a prominent leader. Ever since 1861
corporations of all kinds have had every pos
sible encouragement. Enormous privileges
have been granted them. The national
bank system, which actually concentrates the
control Of the currency in two thousand cor
Porstions, with single interest and policy,
ls its creation. 1t began its career by loan