Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-06-27
CAPTAIN COWBOYS LETTER.
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WASHINGTON, June "a, 1882.
To the Editor of the Evening Critic;
In order that Congress and the people lay
harm how some things are done, place In
your hands two letters calculated to throw
light on some peculiar phases of the work
lone on the Mississippi river under the pre-
tense of improving the navigation of that
river. These letters, one from General God
fey Weltzel, mai of engineers, United
States army, and the other from Mr.. l.. ]
DuPre, late editor of the Au,tin TEX Ddlly
StdteSmn1l, speak for themselves, and in no
uncertain terms. Now, in addition to the
matters mentioned in these letters, if Con-
gress wants to get at the bottom of the jetty
scheme, suggest that Prof. Henry Mitchell
a member of the River Commission, who
recommended the adoption of the jetty
scheme, might tell how he earned $4,000
fee in connection Herewith, as a member OF
Esds's Advisory Board, whereby they earned
their $4,000 fees. Again, if Congress
sees fit to investigate these matters
for themselves, think that a respect
able man can be found who will state,
under oath, that he was told TO keep quiet
and not oppose the River Commission; that
they expect to secure an appropriation oil
$500, 900 for the Plum Point bar; that only
100000 would be expended on the work
and that the balance, 100000, would be
have a share of it by simply keeping still
L am also of the opinion that more incidents
of similar character would be brought to
LIGHT nv ir.4na4;y-ss-ss- IA rPpards
The Chalmers case, General Chalmers ssru 10
me one morning on Pennsylvania avenue
that he thought Eads was az great a scoun-
drel as l did. l wanted to know what was
the matter. He replied that soon after he
helped to get one of Eads's payments through
Congress, Eads came up, thanked him and
said: "YoH are in strong Republican dis
trict. When your next election comes on
draw on me for $780," Chalmers said he
told the chairman of the Democratic Execu-
tive Committee about it, and requested him
to write to Eads for the money. He did so,
but Eads wrote back that he would not send
it to him, the chairman, but would give
it to General Chalmers in person.
Eads did not send the money. 1t
would be interesting to know whether
or not other central and executive COM
mittees have had a like experience. Taking
these ugly facts in connection with the COM
plete and unAnswerable exposure that / have
made of the ignorance of the River Com
mission and their Misrepresentation Ito call
them by no severer name), Congress would
certainly do we'll to abolish the River Com
mission and abandon its plans. II, however,
Congress will not do this, let them (the House
particularly having voted an appropriation)
appoint committee this fall, and not only
investigate these charges, but stop at all
cities and towns and principal landings and
take the testimony of steamboat captains and
pilots and other river men, as well as that of
river residents, as to levee outlets, food
mouths. and the work of the commission.
This information, together with what the
would see for themselves, would
satisfy them what must be done TO improve
the navigation of the Mississippi, and to
save the valley from overnows. l am, re-
specially, JOHN CowDoN.