The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-04-20

anu Ine Sjuillhn heCTctuTy VI nluloi tVnNNl'
ing cnses of citizens of the United Statei
condemned TO death In Cuba, etc. Adopted
HOUSE.
On motion of Hammond, of Georgia, SEN
ate amendments were Concurred in to the
house bill establishing United States dis
trict court with district officers in the nortn
ern and southern judicial districts OF Geor-
| gia.
Neal of Ohio, from the committee on
civil service reform, reported back a resolu-
tioR calling ON the secretary OF the navy for
| information relative TO the appointment OF
professors of mathematics i'll the navy.
Adopted.
Hiscock, of New York, chairman of the
committee on appropriations, reported a
joint resolution appropriating Sl6o,UOO to
supply the deficiency in the appropriation
for public printing and binding for the cur
rent fiscal year.
O'Neil, of Pennsylvania, introduced q
bill providing that all railroad bridges
across the Ohio river which are not yet
completed, shall be union bridges Re
ferred.
Calkins called up the Utah contested
election case of Campbell VS.. Cannon.
Kasson announced that general debate
on the tariff bill would be closed this week.
| He had advised the minority members that
it would be indispensable that the bill
should give way to other business.
| Carlisle raised question OF considera-
ton but the house by yeas 127, to nays
100, decided to proceed with the election
case. This was party vote, except that
| Cassidy, Davis of Missouri, and Moulton
vo.ed III the affirmative with the republl-
cans.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The following is the presidents message
to congress recommending the approprla-
| ton of $2020,0 0O0 for restoring the MlsSis-
sppi river levees, instead OF Sl,0lO 600 here
tofore recommended for that purpose by the
Mississippi river commission
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
I transmit herewith letter, dated 10Th
ultiiAo, from the secretary of war, enclos-
| ing O copy of q communication from
the Mississippi river commission, in
which the commission recommend
that an appropriation may be
made of 81 100000 for closing the existing
gaps in the levees, in addition to like sum
Tor which estimates have already been sub
mitted. The subject is one of such impor-
tance | deem it proper to recommend the
early and favorable consideration
of the recommendations of the commits
sion having supervision and jurisdiction
over the river. Congress with the view OF
improving its navigation and protecting
parts of the valley from the floods have for
years caused surveys of the river to be
made for the purpose of acquiring knowl-
edge of the laws that control it and its
phenomena. By an act approved June
2Sth, 1879, the Mississippi river commission
was created. composed of able
engineers Section four of the act provides
that it shall be the duty of said commission
to take into consideration the nature OF
such plan or plans and estimates as will
correct. permanently locate and deepen the
channel and protect the banks of the Mis-,
sissippi river, improve and give safety ana
ease to the navigation there
OF, Of revent destruction by floods,
promote and facilitate commerce, trade and
the posta service. The constitutionality OF
the law making appropriations IN ald oil
these objects cannot be questioned. While
the report of the commission submitted and
plans proposed for the river improve.
ments seem justified as well on
scientific principles as by the experience
and approval of the people most interested,
desire to leave it to the judgment of con-
gress to decide upon the best plan of per-
manent and complete improvement OF the
navigation of the river and protection OF
the levees. The immense loss and wide
spread suffering OF the people dwelling near
the river induce me to urge upon congress
the propriety of not only making appropri'
alton to close the gaps in levees
occasioned by recent floods, as recon-
mended by the commission. hut that con-
gress should inaugurate measures for the
permanent improvement OF tne naNleulloH
of the river and the security OF the valley,
1t may be that such system
of improvement would, as 1t pro,
gressed, require appropriations oi
100000 or $3,OOO,00O. Even such
an expenditure, extending as it must for
several years, cannot be regarded as eN-
trayagant and in view of the interests IN
yolved, the safe and convenient navigation
of the Mississippi is matter of concern to
all sections of the country, but TO
the northwest, with its immense
harvests needing transportation to sea and
the inhabitants of the river valley whose
leyees and property depend upon the
{ proper construction of safeguards which
project them from floods, it is vital import
ance that a well matured and comprehen.
siye plan for Improvement should
be put into operation with
as little delay as possible. The cotton pro
duct of the region subject TO tie deyasta-
tion of floods is a source of wealth TO the
nation and OF great importance in keeping
the balance of trade. Ii may not be mop
portune TO mention that this government
has imposed and collected Sone S2O,UOJ,WO
by tax on cotton, on the production OF which
staple the lower Mississippi valley is largely
engaged, and u does not seem inequitablc
TO return a portion of this tax to those who
contributed Il. particularly as such action
will also result in an important gam 70 the
country at large, and especially 50 10 the
great and rich states OF the northwest ana
Mississippi valley.
ISignedl CnEsTER A. ARTHUR,
Executive Mansion, 17lh April lss2