Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-23
THE LEFEES.
Meeting or the River Commission in
Memphis August 2sth-Important
Questions 10 Come Before II.
An Extract From the Proceedings of
the Meeting of the Commission
Held at New York.

The following is an extract from the pro-
ceedings of the Mississippi River Commits
sion at its sessions held on the 18th and 18th
OF August, 1882, at New York:
Resotred, That the commission considers il
| expedlent that the work of closing existing
gaps in levees should commence at the lower
end of the Tensss and Yazoo basins leaving
a sufficient opening for the natural drainage,
and also for accidental overflow in the upper
| parts OF the respective fronts.
While it is considered that in general a
leyee system should be built from below up
| ward, yet, in view OF the greater obstructious
TO navigation, and the probable deterioration
produced by
THE LATE FLOOD
along the fronts of the Tensas and Yszoo
| bottoms, it is, under these circumstances.
| considered advisable to com nlence levee work
as above stated. The reliet afforded by such
decision will place it in the power of the
| State engineer departments 10 make increased
| provision for other parts of The levees, and it
is therefore recommended that the Louisiana
levee fund be expended below Red river,
aud that of Mississippi at the upper
end OF the Second Mississippi levee district.
ResolUed, That we recommend TO the sec
| retsrv of war that authority be granted to
the district officers in charge of the works
of construction on the lower river to accept
surveys made by State engineers for
| levees, and bids made in compliance
with the specifications and advertisements
by the State authorities whenever, in the
judgment OF said officers, it is advisable and
advantageous to the United States so 10 do
THE OBJECT
of this recommendation being 10 expand the
money allotted by the commission for levee
repairs, if practicable, before the occurrence
of another flood.
In case the course above referred 10 is not
practicable nnder the law with respect 10
bids it is recommended that the district
officers be authorized TO invite bids by cir
culsr letters addressed TO prominent levee
contractors. Also that, in case the State
surveys for levee location are not acceptable
TO the district officers, we recommend that
| then instructions be given to the district
officers to make other surveys and locations
al once.
ESTIMATES.
WHEREAS, The following estimates have
been furnished by gentlemen representing
the levee organizations and interests of
Louisians Mississippi and Arkansas: Cubic
yards OF earthwork required to repair exist
ing breaks to former grade-right bank, be-
low Arkansas river, 1864 800 cubic yards;
left bank, below Norfolk, 1,7I40O0 cubic
yards; therefore,
Resoired, That we recommend the follow
ing provisional allotment:
Right bank, between Arkansas and Red
Lett bank, on Ysaoo front 5000 5000
Contingent on future allotment...---..... 400 900
sl,aOOOOO
This allotment is made under the repre-
seutation that the following funds are avail
able in the different States:
louisiana $4,000 for Fifth Louisiana leyee
Mississippi. 100000 for Second Mississippi levee
district.
Arkansas $4,000 for Colonel sappington, of Ar
kansas City.
Adopted. A true extract OF proceedings.
SMITH s. LEACH,
First Lieutenant OF Engineers, Secretary Mssis-
sippi River Commission.
The River Commission will meet in Men,
phis on August 2S;h, and the counties con-
tiguous TO Memphis should send their repre-
sentatIves TO lay their claims before the
commission. 1t will not do to neglect the
important work of building the levees, and
the work had better be we'll done or not at
all. The commission will meet September
9TH at St. Louis. The last food really
demonstrated the benefits of the levee sys-
tenn. The cause of many of the breaksges
and overfows was due TO the fact that Tor
miles the crown OF the levees was below the
food line.