Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-26
THE RIVER FRONT
And the EnerOachments OF Big Muddy
Discussed Before a Representative
Citizens Meeting at
The Memphis Cotton Exchange-A Move
ment Set on Foot Looking to Seeur-
ing Congressional Aid.

| aid can be secured for the protection of the
| river front from the destructive encroach-
ments by the Mississippi river.
President Napoleon Hill, OF the Cotton
| Exchange, called the meeting TO order, and
| briefly announced the business under consid-
| Grafton.
Mr.. l.. Hanauer, one OF the directors of
| the elevator, whose property is Immediately
| endangered, stated that he had made care
| full examination of the locality, and dis
! covered that something must be done imrne-
| diately to prevent destruction OF vast deal
of the valuable river front, particularly in
| the vicinity of the elevator. He stated that
the Elevator Company has already expended
| a great deal of money-more than they ex-
| pected they would have to do-in driving
| piles and sinking bark, ETC., in the immediate
| front Of the elevator, by which good results
| had been accomplished, but he discovers nov
that the river is cutting its way into the bank
above the elevator, SO that now 1t becomes
necessary TO begin the work higher up, say
at the mouth OF Wolf river, and the ex-
penditure necessary would be greater than
the company can afford, and he believed that
Congress should be urged to make contribu-
tion for it.
Major Benyaurd, of the government engi-
neers in charge of the Mississippi river i'm
provements, was called upon, and responded
by giving some details OF the work already
done. The river front from the cotton COM
presses Told navy-yardj up to the mouth
tected He alluded to appropriations
made for the work by Congress, and
said that out of $4,000 asked for
but $4,000 had been received for the
work now in progress. He estimated that
SIT, 900 would be necessary to carry on the
work down as far Beale street with the
mattress system, which he considered would
L IL. l. al hat ax1
willingly make out an additional estimate OF
the cost of the work necessary to re done for
tie benefit OF the Elevator Company. Much
of Major Benyaurd's address was lost to the
reporters on account of The deafening racket
made by vehicles on the paved streets in the
vicinity of the Exchanee-the last place in
the world where a meeting should be held
during business hours.
DR.. d. y. Porter, ex-piesident of the Cot
ton Exchange was called upon, and stated
that he was cognizant q the great danger
threatened on the river front. 1t was a mat
ter which he, as president OF the Taxing
District, had given much attention, and he
was afraid the people will sit still and do
nothing until it is too late to remedy the
evil. He urged that committee be APP
pointed at once, engineers and men of science
be consulted, and some practical plan of
relief be agreed upon, and the matter at once
be placed in the hands OF representative men,
who should go to Washington and lay it
before Congress and urge assistance. He
referred to the vast sums Of money expended
by the city for sanitary work and paving her
thoroughfares, and urged the necessity of
checking the encroachments of the river
upon the city's front without delay.
General w. Y. c. Humes referred to the
ease with which the cities in the North and
Northwest could secure appropriations for
protection and improvements. He Endorsed
DR.. Porter's idea-appoint committee COM
posed of the right sort OF men, send them TO
Washington, and let them lay the matter be-
fore Congress in business way.
Mr.. S. j. Camp referred to the danger of
the river making a cut off back of Hopefield,
ard said that in his opinion the time is not
far distant when the river, if ii is not
Strengthened, or in some way directed from its
present bearings, will cut through over there
and leave US all high and dry. He referred
also to the prediction made many years ago
that the present conditions would come
about, and parties then proposed to avert it
provided $4,000 could be raised. No one
saw the danger then, and the money could
not be raised, and here we are enjoying the
result of the folly of that day.
DR.. d. T. Porter again arose and stated |
that while he was president of the Taxing |
District proposition was made to him by |
reliable parties that if he would give 5000 |
the channel of the river could be brought |
through Hatchie Lake, thus relieving the |
pressure upon the point back of Hopefield,
and also throwing the current from against |
the city's 'front.' He made careful investi
cation of the surroundings and convinced
himself that it would not be safe to do it,
because in avoiding one danger we would
BRING on another and perhaps more disas-
rous one-the destruction of all the old
hayward, and he rejected the proposition.
Prof Bernay stated that far as Hatchie
AXE cutoff was concerned, the water is
coming through there already, and 1t would
lot be a difficult matter to make perma-
,ent channel through there. In his opinion
he most important work now presenting it.
elf is the immediate protection of the river
ront, and he agreed with Major Benyaurd
Is to the manner and probable cost of the
work. While Prof. Bernay held
he floor a general discussion was entered
nto colloquially.
Mr.. J. r. Goodwin took the view that
Iatchie lake was too small a stream to ac-
ommodate the vast volume of water that
lows in the channel of the great Mississippi,
nd didn't think that Memphis need to
rouble herself about cutoff forming there,
nless a channel be dug out of sufficient
apacity.
Captain james Lee, jr., was pressed into
ervice, and gave his views of the situation.
lie discussed the laws regulating the flow OF
Iater and action of tides and currents in the
Mississippi river. He was practfcal-if we
rant 10 remedy threatened evils here, we
lust go and see the results OF similar cir
umstances elsewhere. He referred to the
reat changes made a year or so ago at
)eyiPs Elbow above here, and cited that as
good place to go and study up plans for
here. He argued that Hopefeld
andbar had more TO do with the troubles
ere than anything else. III that were re-
loved, the channel would again go away
rom this shore into the middle of the river,
here it was previous to the formation OF
nat bar.
Colonel n. NJ. Jones, the coal merchant,
as interested in the protection from the
ver's encroachments, and thought that |
)mething should be done at once, but he
id not approve of the mattress and piling
Fstem, but safety only lies in the directing !
the current away from the banks
General w. J. Smith did not know any
ling about how the work should be done,
ut was satisfied something should be done
Immediately. Congress should hear from {
lis community through practical, working i
,mmittee; petitions should be signed and i
mt up, and be sure when you ask for any {
ling you ask for enough, az they will be
Ire to cut you down. Go to work at once c
the point. |
Colonel r. F. Patterson offered resolu- !
on, which was unanimously adopted, that /
committee of seven be appointed to con- \
der the best mode OF protection, the prob c
Die cost, ETC., and report as early as pos
bic to a meeting to be called to receive the Z
port. The following gentlemen were ap- e
,inted on that committee: The Hon Casey 4
Dung, chairman; General w. J. Smith and
essrs A.Woodruff, S. J. Camp. II. A. Mont
,mery, F. S. Davis and r. F. Patterson.
The meeting then adjourned. q
A DELICIOUS medicine is DR.. Leslie's Qui- 9
! L. IL l. 4