The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-04-20
IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSIs.
SEPPI

The Presidents Message On the Subject.
WASHINGTON, April 1S.-The follow
ing is the Presidents message to con-
gress, recommending an appropriation
of $2,020,000 for restoring the Mississip-
pi levees, instead of $101O, 600 hereto
fore recommended for that purpose by
the Mississippi river commission:
To the Senate and House Of Representa-
tioes:
Il transmit herewith letter dated
the Goth ult., from the secretary of war,
enclosing q copy of a communication
from the Mississippi river commission,
in which the commission recommends
that an appropriation be made of ST.
100000 for the closing of the existing
gaps in the levees in addition to like
sum, for which the estimate has already
been submitted. The subject is one of
such Importance, that ! deem it proper
to recommend an early and favorable
consideration of the recommendations
of the commission having possession of
the jurisdiction over the river. Con-
gress, with the view of improving its
navigation and protecting the people of
the valley from the floods, had for years
caused surveys of the river to be made,
for the purpose of acquiring knowledge
| Of the laws that control it land of its
phenomena. By an act approved June
%, 1879, the Mississippi river commits
sion was created, composed of able en-
gineers. Section 4 of the act provides
that it shall be the duty of said commits
sion to take into consideration and
maintain such plan or plans and esti-
mates as will correct, permanently To-
cate and deepen the channel and protect
the banks of. the Mississippi river; to
improve and give safety and ease to
navigation thereof; to prevent destruct-
tive floods, and TO promote and facili
tate commerce, trade and postal service.
The construction Of the law making ap-
preparations in aid of these objects can
not be questioned. While the report of
the commission submitted and the plans
proposed for river improvements seem
justified, as we'll on scientific principles
as by experience aud the approval of the
people most interested, desire to leave
it to the judgment of congress to decide
upon the best plan of a permanent and
complete improvement of the navigation
of the river and the protection of the yal-
ley. The immense loss and widespread
suffering of the people dwelling near
the river induce me to urge upon con-
gress not only the making of the appro-
priation to close the gaps in the levees
occasioned by the recent floods RECON-
mended by tie commission, but for the
permanent improvement of the naviga-
tion of the river and the security of the
valley. 1t may be that such system
OF improvement only would, as it
progresses, require an appropri alton of
twenty or thirty millions of dollars, and
even such an expenditure, extending as
it must over several years, cannot be re-
garded as eXtravagant in view of the i'm
mense interests involved. The safe and
convenient navigation of the Mississippi
Is matter = of concern to all sec
tons of the country, but to the north
west with its immense harvests needing
transportation to the sea, ard the in
habitants of the river valley whose
lives and property depend upon the
proper construction OF the safeguards
which protect them from floods it is of
vital importance that well matured and
comprehensive plan for the improve
ment Of the Mississippi should be put
into operation with as little delay as
possible. The cotton product of the re-
gion subject TO devastation by floods is
a source of wealth TO the nation, and of
great importance in keeping the balance
of trade in our favor. 1t may not be I'M
important 10 mention that this govern
mRnt has imposed and collected some
seventy million Of dollars by taxes on
cotton, in tine production of which the
population of the lower Mississippi is
largely engaged, and il does not seem
negotiable TO return q portion to those
who contribute il, particularly as such
action will also result in important gain.
to the country at large. and especially
SD to the great and rich states of the
northwest and the Mississippi valley.
ISigned1 CHESTER a. ARTHUR.