Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-01-16
THE VEST ST. PAUELEYEE

The resolution recently introduced hy Hon
W. P. Murray in the chamber of commerce,
in relation to the subject matter of obtaining
an appropriation from congress to aid in the
improvement of the navigation of the Missis-
sippi river opposite st. Paul, and the construc-
ton Of levee, or embankment on it's west
erly side, was timely, and eminently proper.
We trust that gentleman and all others hav
ing at heart the true material interests of our
city and the protection of the lives and prop
erty of our fellow citizens, whose homes are
on the lowlands of the Sixth ward in particu-
lar, will not cease their exertions in that be-
half until the general government shall be
convinced that this much neglected portion of
the Mississippi valley is at least entitled to
the relief prayed for, equally with other and
hitherto more favored localities, whose ap-
peals to congress year after year have been
met with favorable responses in the shape of
liberal appropriations from the national
treasury.
It will be remembered by our readers that at
the late raglan session of the Minnesota legis
lature memorial to congress was passed BY
that body, approved February 10th, 1881, ask
ing for an appropriation to aid in the con-
struction of levee and the improvement of
the Mississippi river at st. Paul, and request.
ing our senator's and representatives in con-
gress to assist in procuring the appropriation
prayed for. What action Gf any has been
taken on this memorial by our delegation in
congress, We are not advised, certainly moth
ing favorable.
Among the many and varied interests of our
own citizens, there is none more worthy the aid
of the general government than the construc-
ton of the proposed levee and the consequent
improvement of the river at this point
1t is the duty of the general government to
take care of its navigable streams and rivers.
to confne them within their respective limits,
and not suffer them to break through and
overflow the lands adjacent thereto, dealing
death and destruction to all who may be un-
fortunately located thereon.
Look for moment at the large tract of land
lying on the west bank of the river, embracing
the Sixth ward, and extending back to the
bluff from quarter to half mile, and run
ming parallel with the river two miles or more,
containing an area of about 1900 acres, with
population of from fifteen to eighteen hum
bred persons, already settled there with their
homes and all they have in the world liable to
be swept away in few hours by the rapid
rise in the river in times of freshets or floods.
This is no fancied picture. Pain
full "reminiscences of the late
floods Of 1880 and 1881, still
remains to sadden the minds of the sufferers
and excite the sympathies of their more fortu-
nate neighbors, and keep alive the fear that no
man can tell the day or hour when another
such calamity may visit these defenceless
people.
There are at present from 400 to 500 build
ings on these lowlands, with contracts made
for from 100 to $50 dwelling houses to be cree
ted this year in addition to large municipal
Improvements being made from time to time
in the matter of grading streets, contracting
sidewalks, ETC., and all this in the face of the
terrible disaster of the floods of the last two
years caused by the river OVERLOOKING its
banks, entailing an absolute loss of property
to an amount carefully estimated from $780,
600; a loss great for any community to suf-
fer, and particularly so in these instances,
where the poor people were SO i'll able to
bear it.
Thes people have the right to ask the pro-
lection which the general government extends
to others similarity situated. To the unfeel-
ing remark which is sometimes made that the
people had no business to so locate themselves,
it can be readily answered that if the United
States had not surveyed the land and put it
into the market there would not have been no
settlement upon it. Having thrown it open
to the public the government is in duty bound
to make it available.