The weekly clarion., 1882-04-26
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
On the Mississippi River improvement.
4 Patriotic and Timely Declaration.
HE RECOMMENDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF
THE RIVER EVEN IF IT COSTS $50, ,oo0, 900.

1
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
I transmit herewith q letter dated tbt
29th ultimo from the Secretary of War,
inclosing a copy of the communication
received from the Mississippi River Com.
mission, in which the commission recon-
mends that an appropriation NAV be made
/ of 81, ,000, 900 for closing the existing gaps
/ in the levees, in addition to a like sum for
/ 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 recon-
mendation of the commission. Having
possession and Jurisdiction over the river.
Congress, with view of improving its
navigation and protecting the people of the
valley against floods, had for years caused
surveys of the river to be made for the
purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the
laws that control it and of its phenom-
ena. By an act approved June 2S,
1879, the Mississippi River Commission
was created, composed of able engineers
Section of the act provides that it shall be
the duty of said commission to take into con
sideration and mature such plan or plans
and estimates as will correct, permanently
locate and deepen the channel and protect
the banks of the Mississippi river, improve
and give safety and ease to navigation
thereof, prevent destructive floods, facilitate
trade, commerce and postal service. The
constitutionality of the law making appro-
priations in aid of these objects cannot be
questioned. While the report OF the COM
mission submitted, and the plans proposed
for river improvement seem justified, as
we'll on scientific principles as bY expert
ence and the approval of the people most in
terested l desire to leave it 10 the judgment
of Congress to decide upon the best plan for
permanent and complete improvement of
the river and protection of the valley. The
immense loss and widespread suffering the
people dwelling near the river induce
me to urge upon Congress the propri-
ETY. not only Of making an appropriation
to close the gaps in the levees occupied by
the recent floods as recommended by the
commission, but that Congress should inau-
gurate measures for the permanent improve
ment of the navigation of the river and the
security of the valley. 1t may be that such
s system of improvement would rs it pro-
gressed require an appropriation of $40 0000,
900 or $4,000, 900. Even such an expen-
diture, extending as it must over several
years, cannot bel regarded as eXtravagant,
in view of the immense interests involved.
The safe and convenient navigation of the
is matter OF concern to all sec
tions of the country, but to the Northwest,
with its immense harvest needing transpor-
tation to the sea, and the inhabitants OF the
river valley, whose lives and property de-
pend upon the proper construction of safe
guards which will protect them from foods. |
it is of vital Importance that we'll matured |
and comprehensive plan for improvement
should be put into operation with as little /
lelay as possible. The cotton product of |
the region subject to devastating floods is |
source of wealth to the nation and of great
Importance in keeping the balances of trade
n our favor. 1t may not be inopp1rtune to
mention that this government has imposed /
md collected some $1,000, 900 by a tax on
cotton, in the production of which the pop
llation of the lower Mississippi is largely
,ngaged, and it does not seem inequitable to
eturn portion of this tax to those who
it, particularly as such action
will also result in an important gain to the
ountry at large, and especially so to the
reat and rich States Of the Northwest and
he Mississippi valley.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April IS, 1882.