The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-04-28
The Prssident's ssessaEe on
tie fstRSGsAlDOt

The following il the Presidents mes
sage to CcnRTess commenting an ap-
preparation % = o. 600 70 storiae he
liss ssipp. g.Yer lev-er, ia,t-a of the
Siel0O00 heretofore recornm sa1sd for
that purpose by the Mississippi Commits
sion.
To the Senate and House Of Represonta,lves;
transmit herewith p letter dated 18th
uli., from the Secretary Of War. enclosing
copy OF communication from the Mis- s.
issippi river Commission, in hith the
Commission recommends on appropriation
may be made of Sl,0lO,0O0 for closing the
existing gaps in the levees, in addition
to like sum for which an estimate has
already heen submitted The subject. is
one OF such Importance l deem il proper
10 recommend early aud favora Ia coRsid-
Grafton of the Recommendations Pof the
Commission. Having possession Of aud
jurisdiction over the river, Congress,
with a view Of improving its nav9nIion
and protecting the people Of hfyalley
from the foods, had for years q ~ sur
veys of the river to be made forfhe puT-
pose OF acquiring knowledge Of the laws
that control il and Of It's phenomena. By
the act approved Jane, 1879 the Mfsiss-
ippi River Commission was created, com
posed OF able engineers. Section OF the
set provides that il shall be the duty OF
said Commission 10 take into eoIsidera-
lion and mature plan or plans an es-
.es VS. will correct, permanently 10
the channel aud protect the ban ks
a re Mississippi river, Improve aud
give safety and ease to tho navigation
thereof, prevent destructive foods, pro
mote aud facilitate commerce, trade and
the postal service. The coRsttuiionaiity
OF the law making appropriation n aid
OF these objects cannot be questioned.
While the reports OF the Commission sub
rni'fed and the plans proposed Ger the riv-
er inlprcvements seem JustlhsG as well on
scientific principles as by experience
aud on the approval Of the people most
interested desire 10 leave il to the iujge~
ment Of Congress 10 decide upon the 6est
plan for the permanent and eomplp'e i'm
movement Of the navigation Of he river
and for The protection OF the valley. The
Immense loss and aides pread suffering Of
the people dwelling near the river induce
ue to urge on Congress the ProPriety Of
not only making an appropriauon 10 close
the gaps in the levees caused ny the re-
cent floods, as recon mended By the Com
mission, but that Congress should iusu-
eurate measures for the permznent i'm
provement of the navigation Of the river
that such system Of improvement wonld,
as il progressed, require an appropriation
Of twenty or thirty million dollars. Even
such an expenditure, extending as IL does
over several years, cannot be regarded as
extravagsRf in view of the many inter
esis involved The safe aud nvenient
navigation Of tie Mississippi is . metter
Of concern 10 all sections Of the country,
but 10 the Northwest with is imme se
harvests needing transportation to he
sea and 10 the Inhabitants of the river
valley, whose lives and property depend
upan the proper construction safeguards
which protect them from foods, IL is Of vi
tai Importance that awell matured and
mprehens>ye plan for the improvement
should be put iuto operation with as lit
tie delay as Possf9e. The cotton product
OF the region subj ct 10 devastating GOODS
Is source OF wealth "a the n@ti saCuse,l j o {
great importance in keepip ger a'sott e /
Of trade in our favor NJ C,,-uv To
opportuue 10 mention -. -. -.
ment has imposed and ectl c, e. 80
0G0 coo by n tax on cotrcE, in itfsssssss'Std'ic
ton Of which the population of tbs lower
Mississippi is largely engaged, sud il
does not seem inequitRhle to return =
portion of this tax to those who caiiribu-
ted to it, particularly "a such action will
aisO result N -2 liant gaintc Sc
ccrrirg =. i..ss M t,cially $50
gsent e. rich States Of the Northwest
and Mississippi valley.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR
Executive Mansioa, April IS, 1882