The Evening critic., 1882-04-14
rhc Miss,ss,ppi river probiem.

10 ne Editor Qf The EccRin0 CtNic.
The present floods that have desolatcd the
valley OF tho Mississippi have demonstrated
the absurd folly and stupendous crime OF try
ing 10 hedge I'm the hoods OF that valley by any
system Of lcvoesi but, ms contractors and Job.
bling engineers oxpoct to have the disburslng
OF S1OO,0OO,OOO In the Jobs they propose
under the sham protense OF improving navf-
CATION, they have been before every commit
tee OF both Houses, not for tho purpose OF ex-
planning their plans, what thoy VIII cost or
time required for their completion, but more
particularly TO oppose the making OF the Lake
Borgne outlet, (which every sensible person
knows will not only to a great extent prevent
overnows, but improve navigation Of the Mis-.
slsslppl. But they say IL won't do what's
claimed for It, suppose IL should fail to ac.
complish the third, Is that any reason why
the experiment should not be tried when they
admit all they propose is also an experiment
1t cannot I'm any way interfere with any
work proposed by the Commission, but IL 1t
does any good at all, Will greatly aid the work
OF the Commission. Then why should they
make such opposition. II cannot be on the
ground OF the cost, as II is well known these
men are no watch-dogs to keep the money In
Treasury, and their opposition on that ground
VIII not be appreciated by many honest peo.
pie.
But take It on tho other hand. Suppose the
outlet produces all the results claimed for 1t;
on that ground the Commission and the
Louisiana Congressman cannot object, If they
are honest in their desire to improve the navi-
CATION Of the Mississippi River and prevent
overflow, rs II VIII not only aid them, but do
away with the pretended necessity for the
WOIk lney propost 10 uO dl great COSb anu
long period OF time.
If these men were actuated for tho public
good they would say yes, try the Lake Borgne
outlet, try any and everything that has tho
least chance to relieve the people of that val
. ley from overflow, disease and death and lift
them from tho condition of national paupers,
made so by tho overnows, and then, as n
natural consequence, followed by yellow
fover. The world has not forgotten the cpl
demic OF 1873, II all these men have.
Do we hear anything like such sentiments
from this Commission and their friends both
on and off the floor OF Congress? No, not ono
word; but are loudest I'm asking rations for
starving people and aid for yellow fever suf-
ferers. This should teach Congress that there
is no honesty OF purpose In such men. II
Congress Will but do Its duty not one dollar
should be voted this Commission until Captain
Cowden should have chance to make his out
let at Lake Borgne.
The more opposition these men make to
that natural, simple, cheap and speedy plan
for relief, the more are we satisfied that there
is u big job and FAT steal in the levee and river
jetty plans.
Should Congress refuse the $3.50, ,O0O to test
the problem based on common sense and rea-
son and vote the millions asked to start a job
that Will require millions, and millions more
every year, 1t will be hard to convince the tax
payers Of the whole country that there are not
more people interested in this jobbery than are
outside OF Congress, and II we are not much
mistaken this levee aud 1etty business will
leave more men at home than did the Credit
Mobilier steal and back-salary grab.
.- FAIR PLAY.