The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-04-12
THE LEVEE QUESTION.
Why the Federal Government Sbould
Aid in the Building of the Leyees
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR LOWRY.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
JACKSON. Miss. AnriI 1890

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
JACKSON, Miss, April l, 1882.
To THE EDITOR OF the HERALD:
SIR-Your telegram of the goth of March
would have been sooner answered but iormv
/ absence in the overlooked districts. The in,
/ formation you desire involves many grave
and delicate questions, about which there
seems to be a diversity of opinion among
/ the best informed persons. But for the
/ purposes of your inquiry submit facts as
understand them.
| The State in 1858 perfected a levse svs-
! tenn Tor the Mississippi River north of Inc
/ Yazoo. Heavy specific taxes were laid an
all the lands in the overlooked district. The
State was then prosperous, the lands in the
swamp region were continually rising in
value, the taxes on the lands were promptly
paid and a revenue amounting TO several
millions from 1858 to 1861 was raised for
! levee purposes. Besides, bonds of the Leyee
Board were issued, on which several mil
/ lions more were raised. Out of the cur
rent taxes and the proceeds of these bonds
| the most substantial levees were built from
the mouth Of the Yazoo to the bluffs below
/ Memphis, protecting from inundation about
SIX million acres of the finest land in the
world.
levees were in the best condition. During
the war in many places they were cut by
the Union forces for military purposes, and
the whole exertion of the State being de-
voted to war, the labor demoraiized and re-
moved to more secure sections and the cur
rency almost worthless, no repairs were
made and big portion Of the lcvees was
destroyed
After the war renewed efforts were made
to rebuild the leyees. They were in the
main rebuilt or repaired but the depression
in all values consequent on the war, the in
creased rate of taxation rendered necessary
by the new order of things and swelled be
yond necessity by what is known as the car
pet-bag regime, made it impossible to collect
sufficient amounts to make the levees rs
substantial as they should be. The rate
of taxation in that district was almost up
to the point OF coGtiscation, so thatno other
means could be procured to build repair or
strengthen the leyecs. They were in the
main sufficient for ordinary stages OF high
water, but not high enough or strong enough
for such floods as we have just experienced,
The floods have broken over the leyees in
many places. These gaps need new leyees.
The whole line of old levees ought to be
strengthened. There is law in force lay
ing taxes on the district protected, to re-
build the levees; but no taxation that would
be paid, or could be collected, will raise
enough to put the levees in order.
As it is certain that these levees are
material ifnot essential aids to the improve
ment of the navigation of the Mississippi
River, Congress, in my judgement, should
contribute largely to their erection. The
State, through its local authority has al
ready contributed large sums for these leyees.
Probably three-fourths of the work neces-
sary to have permanent and substantial
leyees from the mouth of the Gazoo to
Chicasaw Bluffs, on the Southern line of
Tennessee, now remains in good shape for
use, leaving the money for the other fourth
to be supplied. think if the general gov
eminent should supply this, it would not
contribute more or even as much as its
just quota.
The districts protected by the levees
lying between Vicksburg and Memphis and
the east bank of the Mississippi River and
the nke hills being in the State Of
Miss of raising 100000
bales but sparsely settled,
MAJ lands being uncleared.
bsc levocs would insure
n land, add to population
Soyement and
onishing re-
Ngd that since
Vets in Missis-
NGiR0O worth Of cot
"a have gone into
.s3y,S Hturers, merchants,
- INC. Of the North and
IL s, Z. - ssAsHcular districts referred
to Iibcf5i failroad charters were granted by
the last Legislature to companies which are
not only able but will at an earlY day hMill