Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-11-03
APIECE OF PETTY JEALOUSY.

GREAT INTERESTS SACRIFICED TO CRAFTY
> PERSONAL GRIEVANCES
WASHINGTON, November 2-Up TO the
present time the Congressional Committee
appointed 10 investigate the improvements in
progress on the lower Mississippi river, have
not invited any members of the Mississippi
River Commission TO accompany them. 1t
ia not improbable that they do not intend 10
invite the River Commission or any member
Of it.
The impression seems 10 be that the COM
mittee want to steer clear OF the commission
and of all persons who have thorough un-
derstanding OF the theory on which the river
is being improved and the plans which have
been adopted. 1t is ssfe TO say that there
are not a dozen men in either house OF Con-
press who have the least comprehension OF
the theory advanced by Capt. Eads, and
adopted by the River Commission Tor The
Improvement OF tue river. The committee
will meet with very lew on their trip down
the river Who, if they understand the theory
on which the river is being improved, are
sufficiently familiar with ii to explain It
clearly and inteligeutly. Tie consequence
will be that the Committee, even il they are
thoroughly honest and sincere in their in
vestjgation, will fail TO receive that enlight-
enment which they claim TO seek.
The outlet theory, in which several OF the
committee now believe, and which, to the
be reasonable and practicable, will be
viewed with increased favor. Ii the COM
nittee really desire to get al the truth, they
cannot prove their sincerity better than by
inviting some OF the engineers of the River
Commission TO accompany them out on their
tour of investigation. refusal TO extend
an invitation to members OF the commission
cannot be construed otherwise than as indI-
eating a disposition TO suppress the truth.
Mr.. Burrowz, the chsirman OF the commit
tee. is reported as saying that the purpose
and wish of sll the members of the com
mitt is to see what work has been done, and
whether the plans now being carried out IN
improving the river are really the Best 10
accomplish the ends aimed at
1t is to be hoped that Mr.. Burrows speaks
honestly. There is nothing in his record as
a member of Congress or as public man
which jusIfes a doubt with respect TO ms
sincerity. He says he wants 10 make a.falr
and unbiased report, so that Congress shall
know exactly what it is doing when 1t makes
appropriations for the Mississippi river 10
the future. These declarations justify the
following inquiries:
First-why WAS the committee made up almost
wholly OF members who are known TO be hosuIe
isn't man on the committee with, perhaps, the
exception OF Mr.. Ellis, who even pTetends to un'
derstand the theory on which the river Is being
SeeoHd.-why is the policy of rigidly excluding
every one IRON panglOB the CoAuuiAebcc VIZ
can offer explanations point out the progress Ol
the work and show what has been accomplished
by the work already done, adopted3 These ques
tiOns unanswered arouse suspicion, whether
Justly unjusty, that the fairness promised Is mol
intended. When this committee was appointed
some of the ablest and shTewdest men in tht
House said: "That is a hostile shet at The AissiS
sippi river When questioned what they mean
they said "LOok at the composition OF the com.
fnfttse. Where among their members do you nno
fhe friends of the liver?" It was also said by mel
whose memories good and whose Judgment
should be appointed investigate and report upoI
the best methed of improving The MISSISSIPPI
river. when Congress had already adopted plAi
10 which exception was taken ana with WnlcI
no fault was found.
4 In yieE Of all these facts II is bat natura
that the friends of the Mississippi river
hhould feel some unessiness with respect tC
the report of this committee. On their re
port great deal will depend so far AS futur'
appropriaiiops for the river are concerned
There is some gossP, not OF sufficient i'm
1ortance to Justify serious cOpsideratiou, bu
bf enough interest to be mentioned, thai
Ir. Burrows would feel some satisfaction i
facts 10 base a report adverse TO the presen
plans of improving the river could be found
Ii seems that Horr's great speech on th'
Mississippi river at The last session gav'
that gentle an importance and popular
ity in Michigan which dwarf Mr. Burrow
and other Michigan members in comparison
with him. Before that speech MIR. Bur
rowslconsidered himself and was generally
considered the leading member from Mich