The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-05-20

Following is the Presidents message
ton Of s., Oh, 900 for restoring the Missis-
sippi River levees, instead OF the 81 .010, 600
heretofore recommended for that purpose
BY the Mississippi Commission:
To the Senate snd House of Representa-
tive> l transmit here with a letter dated Ihe
18th ult-, from the secretary OF War inelosing
copy OF acommnnicat. on from the Missis-
sippi River Commission, in which the Com
mission recommends an appropriation may
DC made oi 81 90 GO for closing the existing
gaps in the leyeeS. in addition to a ] Ike sum
iot which an estimate has already been
submitted. The subject l. one of such
importance, | deem il proper TO recon-
mend carry and favorable eonsiderat on
of the recommendations of the commits
SION Having possess sion of and iui is
oiction over he river. CONGRESS, with a lew
OF improving ITS EsYtsation and protecting
the people OF the valley from the floods, had
for years caused surveys of the river TO be
made Tor the purpose OF acquiring knowledge
OF the laws thar control ii and of its phe-
nomena- BY the act approx ed June. 1873. the
Mississippi River Commission was created
composed of allie engineers. Section OF the
a rovides that il shall be the auty OF said
commission TO take into conSideIa ion and
pIature such plan or plans and estimates as
viii correct, permanently locate, and deepen
tue channel and protect the banks If the
Mississippi River improve and give safety and
ease 70 the Navigation thel eof prevent de-
structve hoods, promote and facilitat com
stitutionaiity OF the Law making appropIia-
tions in aid of these ohiec. can not be gues-
toned While the report IF the commission
snbm tied and the Pr rs proposed for the
river Improvements seem Justified as well on
scientific principles rs by experience, and on
the approval OF the people most interested,
desire to leave ii to the Judgment of Con-
gTess TO decide upon the best plan for the
permanent and complete i,uproN ement of the
river and for the protection of the valley.
The immense loss and widespread suffering
of the people dwelling near the liver induce
me to urge on Congress the prop iety of not
only making an appropriation TO close the
gaps In the Levers caused by the raj ent
Foods IS recommended by the commits
sion. bit that Congre should inaugurate
measures for the permanent improvement of
the naN igation of the river and the security
the valley LIZ may be that such a system of
inlproN emcnt wouid, as il progressed. require
an apps oprlaflon OF tvs MY or thirty million
dpliarS. Even such an expe 8diture, extend
ing IS 1t does over several years. can not be
regarded as extraN a ant, in view of the many
interests inv oA ed. Tue safe aud convenient
navigation OF the Mississippi is a matter of
con ern 10 all secti, of the country, but TO
the Northwest, WITH it, lmulen-e har-
vests needing transportation to the sea,
and to tie inhabitants of the river val
ley, whose lives and property depend upon
the proper construction OF safeguards "a hich
pFetrct them from ffor is, IT is IF vital lnapor-
lance that q y ll-la.,iur Il aud comprehensive
p.d FOR the irllpr0v Ut aoald he pus into
operation with as little delay as possible The
c. ton pr, dssct Of tbs region subject to 6eyas-
tating Foods Is a sour e Of wealth 20 the ma
tion. and OF great importance in keeping the
De
inoppoa tune to mention that the GOV eminent
has imposed and cole csed some s70.e eco by
tex m eostoa. IN the production IF whicn
the population of the lower Mississippi; is
largely engaged. and I does not IN
equitable to return portion Of this tx TO
tloSs who contributed to IT, particularly as
srgch action viii also result in an important
gain to the counssv At large, and especially so
TO the great and rich states of the Northwest
aud Mississippi Valley
CHESTER A. ASTHUR-
Executive Ma2sson. l7tt Anril, lssa