Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-04-19

! WASHINGTON, April 1s.-The following i
/ the presidents message to congress recon-
! nending an. appropriation of $2,020,0OO TO
restoring the Mississippi river levees, instea'
of 81, 0lO, 900 heretofore recommended for tina
purpose by the Mississippi commission:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
transmit herewith letter dated the 29tl
ult., from the secretary of war, enclosing
copy of communication from the Mississip
pi river commission. In which the commits
| sion recommends that an appropriation ma,
be made of 100000 for closing the existing
gaps in the levee in addition to like sum fol
which an estimate has already been submit
ted. The subject is one of such importance
that I deem it proper to recommend an
early and favorable consideration Of the re-
concentrations of the commission having
possession of and jurisdiction over the river.
Congress, with the view of improving its
navigation and protecting the people OF the
valley from floods, that for years caused sur.
Yeys of the river to be made for the purpose
of acquiring knowledge of the laws that
control 1t, and of its phenomena, and BY the
act approved June IS, 1879, the Mississippi
river commission was created, composed OF
able engineers. Section of the act provides
that 1t shall be the duty of said commission to
take into consideration and mature such plan
or plans and estimates as Will correct, perma-
nently locate and deepen the channels, protect
the bank of the Mississippi river, improve and
give safety and ease to navigation thereof,
prevent destructive floods, promote and facili-
ate commerce and postal service.
appointments in aid of these objects cannot be
questioned, while the report of the commits.
sion submitted and the plans proposed for the
rivers improvements seem to be justified as
well on scientific principles as by experience
and the approval of the people most interested.
desire TO leave it to the judgment of con-
gress to decide upon the best plan for the per-
manent and complete improvement of the
river, and for the protection of the valley,
The immense loss and wide spread suffering of
the people living near the river induce me to
urge upon congress the propriety, not
only of making an appropriation to
close the gaps in the levees Occasiened by the
recent floods, as recommended by the COM
mission, but that congress should inaugurate
measures for the permanent improvement of
the navigation of the river, and the security
of the valley. 1t may be that such system
of improvement would as it progressed re.
quire an appropriation of $40, 600 900 or $780,
600, 900. Even such an expenditure, extend
ing DIS III muSC over several years, cannOt De
regarded as extravagant in view of the i'm
mense interests involved. The safe and con-
venient navigation of the Mississippi is
a matter of concern to all sections
of the country, but to the Missouri with Its
immense harvest needing transportation to
the sea and to the inhabitants of the river
valley whose lives and property depend upon
the proper construction of safeguards which
protect them from the floods it is of vital i'm.
portance that a well matured aud conprehen-
sive plan for improvement should be put into
operation W it'll as little delay as possible.
The cotton product of the region subject to
devastating floods is source of wealth to the
nation and is of great importance in
keeping the balance of trade in our
favor. It may not be inopportune to men.
ton that this government has imposed
and collected some S70,000.000 by taxes on
cotton, IN the production Of which the popu.
lation of the lower Mississippi is largely en-
gagged. and it docs not seem inequitable to re-
turn portion of this tax to those who con-
tributed 1t, particularly as such action will re.
suit in an important gain to the country at
large, and especially to the great and rich
states OF the northwest and Mississippi valley.
(Signed.) CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
Executive Mansion, April II, 1882.