National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-04-22

to the House and the country, but the
benefciaries of them still hold their seats
upon fraudulent ballots. How long, oh
Lord, how long shall these crimes against
free government remain unpublished?
-%
The President and the People of the
Mississippi Valley.
Following is the message of the Presi-
dent upon the subject of the improve
ment of the Mississippi River:
To the Senate and House of Representatives;
| transmit herewith letter dated the Goth
ultimo, from the Secretary OF War, inclosing copy
of communication from the Mississippi River
Commission, In which the commission recon-.
mends that an appropriation may be made of
81 100000 for "cloSing existing gaps In levecs' In
addition TO the like sum for which an estimate has
already been submitted.
The subject Is one Of such importance that
deem II proper to recommend early aud favorable
consideration of the recommendations Of the com
mission. Having possession of and jurisdiction
over the river, Congress, with view of impr0v-
ing ti navigation and protecting the people of the
valley from floods, has for years caused surveys of
the river TO be made for the purpose Of acquiring
knowledge ofthc laws that control II, and OF its
phenomena, By act approved Juno IS, 1870, the
Mississippi River Commission was created,
composed of able engineers. Section of
tho act provides that at shall DO the
duty Of said commission to take into
consideration and mature such plan or plans and
estimates will correct permanently, locate, aud
deepen the chunnel and protect the banks Of the
Mississippi River, improve and give safety ana
to the navigation thereof, prevent destructive
floods, promote and facilitate commerce, trade,
and the postal service"
Tho constitutlonnlity of n law making nppro-
priations in aid Of these objects cannot he quCs-
toned. While the report OF the commission sub
mittcd and the plans proposed for the rivers Inn
provcment seem justified as well on scientific
principles rs by experience and tho approval Of
the people most interested I desire TO leave IL to
the judgment of Congress to decide upon the best
plan for the permanent and complete improve
ment of the navigation Of the river and for the
protection of the valley.
The immense losses and the widespread suffer-
ing Of the people dwelling near the river induce
me n urge upon Congress the prorrety Of not only
making m appropriation to close the gaps In the
lcvcc' accustomed by the recent floods, as recon-
mcndcd by the commission, but that Congress
should inaugurnte measures for the permanent
improvement of the navigation of the river and
security ofthe valley. 1t may be that such a sys-
tenn Of improvement would as 1t progressed require
the appropriation of $50 100000 or S3OOOOOOO. Even
such an expenditure extending as 1t must over
several years, cannot he regarded as extravNgant
in view of tho immense interests involved.
The safe and convenient navigation Of
the Mississippi is matter of con-
Germ to all sections Of the country,
but to the Northwest, with It's immense harvcss
needing cheap transportation to tho sea, and to
tho inhabitants of the river valley, whose lives
and property depend upon the proper construction
of the safeguards which protect them from the
foods, 1t is of vital importance that well matured
and comprehensive plan for improvement should
be put into operation with as little delay as pos
sible. The cotton product of the region subject to
the devasting floods is n source of wealth to the
Nation and of great importance in keeping the
balances of trade in our favor.
It may net be inopporluno to mention that this
Government has imposed and collected some
seventy millions of dollars by n tax on cotton in
the production Of which the population of the
Lower Mississippi Is largely engaged, and 1t does
not seem inequitable TO return portion of this
tax to those who contributed IL, particularly as
such an action will also result In an important
gain TO the country at large, and especially to
the great and rich States of the Northwest and
the Mississippi Valley.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April II, 1882,
For years we have heard men of all
parties clamoring for a liberal policy TO-
ward the inhabitants of the valley of the
Mississippi, The mighty river has been
alternately a servant and q scourge.
Upon its bosom have floated the grain
of the Northwest and the cotton of the
lower States on the way to the Gulf; but
its overflow has been terror to hun.
dreds of thousands who inhabited the
States of Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana
and Mississippi. The war and the dis
turbed period following prevented proper
consideration of the great problem in
volved in the improvement of the NIissis
sippi. OF late years there has been some
theorizing and some reports of engineers.
But still there was an apathy upon the
subject which needed to be overcome by
some influence greater than feeble discus.
sion.
On Tuesday last the President, in the
above special message to Congress, put
his strong shoulder to the wheel. 1t is
brief but incisive. 1t advocates com.
prehensivc plan, and contemplates "per
manent and complete improvement o.
the Navigation OF the river ana the pro-
lection Of the valley" He recognizes
"the immense interests involved" and
declares that in view of them an eXpen,
diture of twenty or thirty millions o.
dollars, extended, as it would be, over
several years, could not be regarded as ex'
travagant 1t is to be hoped that Congress
will meet this broad and generous view
of the Executive in this matter AS &c
plans, Congress, availing itself of the
best scientific aid, will decide upon them
We only know that the great river
should not longer be q destroying force
when it can be made safely and faith,
fully to bear the burdens of the peo
pie, and to keep within appointed
limits. To accomplish such result, the
cost is q matter which must not stand in
tho way. The Nation should take pride
in this vast work, and the President neet
not care to leave behind him any noblel
evidence of wise craftsmanship thar
would be a fixed course for the Missis
sippi River, and security for the people
along its banks.
|
Malone in North Carolina.