The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-05-06

litical Hints, Etc.
Especial Correspondence Telegraph
wAsHINGToN, April q, 1ss2.-The
most important matters now before
Congress, in which Louisiana, and In
deed the whole Mississippi valley are
interested, are those pertaining to the
levees, and the Improvement OF the
ssgreat inland sea-" whose recent raw
ages are more wide-waste and all-de-
vouring than ever chronicled In this
or any other land; and 1t Is encouF'
aging to know that for the first time
Congress Is really disposed to do some
thing conclusive In Its results and per-
maneut in its character. You already
know, NO doubt, that the committee
having In charge the consideration OF
methods ofprotecting the valley of the
Mississippi and Improving the naviga-
ton of the leading artery of the ma
TONS commerce reported In favor Of
adopting the policy and measures de-
fined by the River Commission after
careful consideration and thorough In
vestigation. The bill is now under
discussion In the Senate, and will be
passed there In shape that must give
permanent security In the future and
greater depth of water from the head
waters to the Gulf. The proposition
of Senator Garland to increase the ap-
preparation to fifteen millions is not
deemed polite one In some quarters,
it being deemed best to take up and
pass the original bill based upon the
engineering recommendations, after
the closest scrutiny of the great river
problem. The East Is, ofcourse, opposed
to the improvement of the Mississippi
and sieze upon any pretext to thwart
this work which would divert trade to
the Southern waterway to the ocean.
Hence, proviso has been offered to
the bill that the appropriation shall not
be applied to the rebuilding Of the
levees. Senator Jonas has met this
objection In a very able argument show
ing that the whole work and the maui
ner of doing it were left to the River
Commission, which was specially
charged with the duty of tnqufrine
into and maturing such plans as are
deemed advisable, and recommending
them for action. The bill to be passed
will, therefore, despite the "proviso"
objection, give a part of the appropria-
ton to the immediate repair and con-
struction of such levees as, in the judg-
ment of the Mississippi River Commits
sion, will assist in deepening the chan
mel and improving the navigation.
The delegates In Congress from Louis
lana and Mississippi, without dis
senting voice, approved the determtna-
ton and purposes of the report of the
House, which necessarily defines the
action of that body when the question
comes up there for consideration. A mi
nority report was presented favoring
the trial of a scheme contemplating an
outlet into Lake Borgne, but since
Gen. Humphreys, the former chief OF
the Board of Engineers, confessed that
the relief anticipated by the measure
was of doubtful, if any value, the COM
mittee deemed it wise to leave the
question entirely with the River Com
mission, where 1t will receive due and
timely consideration. Farmers can
therefore return to their plantations
with the assurance that everything |
will be done for their relief and protec- |
ton which mature elaboration, money
and engineering skill can accomplish.
1t Is needless to say that Messrs.
King, Gibson, Robertson and Blanch-
ard, of the Louisiana delegation, and
especially Gen. King, have toiled tire
lessly in behalf of the achievement of
these much needed results. AT the
hands of these congressman questions
affecting public health and education
have also received a large share of at
tention. Philanthropic citizens of East
ern States, In and out of Congress, have
co-operated with the eminent represen.
tatives of the South, and measures will
be adopted providing not only for
broader and more generous questions
OF schools, but for the establishment of
academies and normal schools, that the