Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-06
Levee Ruilders.

The Board Of United States Engin-
GERS, directed by the Secretary of War
to meet here last Monday, we're in
consultation during the afternoon of
that day and also on yesterday. The
officers present included Major Amos
Stiokney, Of New Orleans; Captain
W. L. Marshall, of Vicksburg; Major
A. H. Weber, United States Survey;
Captain S. B. Sears, United States
Army; Colonel B. NJ. Harrod, Of
Louisiana, and others. A number of
engineers had been invited to attend
or participate, and to give such in
formation or advice as; would be of
value.
Among these are H. B. Richardson,
State Engineer Of Louisiana, and Fl.
B. Thompson, also of Louisiana. At
the meeting Monday, the First Mis-
sissippi District, including COahoma
and Tunica counties, were under con-
sideration, and yesterday the Second
District, taking in Washington, Boil
var, Sharkey, Isaquena and part Of
Coahoma counties, was the subject Of
debate. This includes all of the river
country, extending from the mouth OF
the Yazoo to the Tennessee boundary,
for the work on which $500, 900 has
been designated by the commission fol
%levees. In co operation with the levee
boards of the two districts mentioned.
this will go a long way toward
closing the gaps Of the broken leveel
and strengthening weak places. 1t il
understood that bids are to be adver-
tiSed for within a few days and work
is to be commenced by the
18th inst. The small con,
tractors are also, we understand, t.
be favorites with the commission. In
other words, contracts will be divided
up SO that all competent men, able t.
give the proper bond and deposit the
; necessary forfeit, will have their Offer
to work properly considered. The
amount allotted for the same kind O.
work on the Arkansaw side, between
: the mouths of White river and Rec
: river in Louisiana, ia 100000, while
> $4,000 is the apportionment for the
country below the mouth of Red, OF
the west side Of the river, the same t.
, be expended as near Red river as pos.
! Sible; chiefly, perhaps, in Pt. Ccupee
| parish, where the worst breaks Oh
~crevasses occurred during the las
food. The total fund for levee build
ing is 100000, and $350,00O is to b,
held for contingencies. All Of the
territory to be worked over is to b.
considered by the commission. Some
forty or fifty prominent valley planter
from the river districts south of her
are in the city, all more or less anxiou
to know what is to be done in tn,
! respective localities where they ar,
) most directly interested. Several o
. these gentlemen have been invited t,
appear before the commission ant
explain the situation as far as they ar,
, familiar with it. The Arkausaw sid,
Of the river, from the mouth Of Whit,
> down, was understood to be the subjec
under examination to-day. The com
: mission will doubtless be occupied
here throughout the week, z Theii
accommodations must be approved b.
the Secretary Of War, but it is ex
pected that there will be no delay
and that the work Of rebuilding thu
wrecked levees will soon be under
way. The River Commission appointed
by Congress are to meet at st. Louii
next week, and some Of the engineer
now here will doubtless be in attend.
ance in that city when the commission
cOnvenes.