The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1882-10-07

ut tie tOMeE emu OF the uank OF
the latter river. Then from White
river to the Helena hills, aud then
from above the mouth of the st.
Francis river to the 0zack Noun
tains, at Commerce. On the east
bank the levee should unite the
Ellis, Natchez, and Vicksburg
bluffs, up to the mouth of the va.
zoo, and from above that river ex-
tending along the west rim of the
Yazoo Basin to the Tennessee hills
below Memphis.
The levees could not follow the
sinuosities of the river for several
reasons: First. Because the coun.
try drains into the river for 20
miles on either side of the mouth
of the Yazoo, and for a strip of 40
miles on Cher side of the mouths
of the Arkansas and White river;
and again for 20 miles on either
side of the st. Francis. Second.
Because the banks on both sides
are indented by low lands, lakes
and old rivers, which drain into
the Mississippi. Third. Because
in following the windings of the
river the levees would frequently
be at right angles to it.
AS the river bed becomes low
cred and Strengthened, wings could
be run out from the main levees to
concentrate and increase the sc0u.
ring force. These wings might be
united at the ends next the river,
thus forming a double line of
levees divided into sections, so
that if the levees broke, the see.
ton would soon fill, preventing
deterioration of the channel by
any continuous outflow of water.
1t is impossible to over-estimate
the value to the people of the
highest attainable Improvement of
the navigation of the Mississippi.
AS cheap and easy outlet for the
products of the valley, which each
year go out in increasing quaint.
ties to feed and clothef the world,
it will do much to satisfy the ycarn-
ings of the producers of the valley
for assured and permanent relief
from oppressive exactions by great
railroad monopolies. While there
has been a popular jealousy of
propositions for national cxpendi-
lures like those on the old levees
merely to protect plantations,
there has never been public feel.
ing against expenditures intended
solely to improve, by any method,
the navigation of this greatest of
all rivers. This grandly national
work has already been delayed q
generation beyond its time. Strict
construction, war, and sectional
Jealousy, have one after the other
postponed 1t, and meantime the
river has deteriorated as rapidly
as the demands of advancing civil
ization upon it have grown. The
recent great flood has sounded a
note of warning which has aroused
the whole American people. 1t
tells them that the river, neglected
for twenty years, may soon quit
commercial business, and, forsak-
ing its present bed, go into the
great basins which lie below II
and resume its prehistoric occn.
patton of land building.
The four millions of dollars
placed in your hands for channel
Improvement by Congress, prac.
tically without a dissenting voice,
tells how earnestly the people look
to you to plan and enter on the
execution of the great work of re-
storing and perfecting the naviga-
bility of the Mississippi. ] venture
to suggest that you cannot act
with a decision and breadth of plan
surprising what will be expected
of you by Congress and the coun-
try. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
CHARLES Z. HUNTINGTON.