Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-09
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND NEW
YORK TRADE.

The New York papers are stirred to their
profoundest depths on account of the propo-
sition to improve the Mississippi river so as
to decrease floods, deepen the channel, re-
move the bars and scour away the shoals.
The Journal Of Commerce is especially rabid
upon the subject. Unable to see that in
crease of commerce in the South, bringing
with it increase Of population and wealth,
would add to the general commerce of the
country, and consequently TO the prosperity
OF New York as the country's principal sea-
port, it opposes the improvement under the
mistaken idea that, by so doing, it is defend
ing the commercial interests of New York.
That paper especially strives to produce the
impression that the proposed improvement
is to be accomplished by narrowing the
channel. OF course we who live on the
banks OF the river know that no such idea IS
entertained or would be countenanced.
Where the river spreads out Unfortunately, so
as to render large tracts of land valueless,
the banks would be brought nearer each
other, but that would make the channel,
which is obstructed by the formation OF
shoals at such points by extending the space
along which the boats run. Our contem-
porary will not even admit that the deepen
ing of the channel by the restriction OF the
borders of the stream would compensate for
the lessening of the superficial width, a no.
ton that proves how unable those who know
nothing of the nature and peculiarities of
the Mississippi are to judge of the subject.
fTba .,
satisfy even the Prejudiced journal, but those
who are overwhelmed 10y the spreading
waters would be thankful to have the chan
mel deepened by improvement so that the
superabundance could be carried of within
a narrower limit, whatever New York papers
may say to the contrary. The Journal says
the people of Minnesota now realize the
danger that would follow Improvement"
Unfortunately what they are recognizing is,
not the danger, but the absolute calamity
that results from the absence of the deeper
Chanel that would be the result of improve
ment. The journal actually goes to the
length Oh saying: at is not improb-
able mat L., expenditure Of 100000,
say at or abor Cairo, in deepening
the channel, woulo aggravate by the
sum OF millions OF dollar. the losses OF the
next succeeding freshet on the upper Missis-
sippi." 1t is possible that Network NAV
not see the absurdity OF this probability. but
those who. live on the spot do But even
this absurdity is conceded by the following:
'Some of the mischief done is doubtless the
direct result of Captain Eads's operations
below New Orleans. 1t is impossible to
prove how much. But there is sufficient
reason for the renewal Of the grave appre-
tensions which have been aroused by the
new proposals to tamper with the bed of the
Mississippi" "Tamper with the bed of the
Mississippi is good. Unfortunately the bed
of the Mississippi is tampering with the
farms and plantations in the neighborhood
of the river, for want OF chambermaid
capable of making that bed in a manner
suitable to It's tenant and less mischievous to
that tenants neighbors.