Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-19

lnSnt OF lne Mlr5lsoipp1 anu 41lScOuE1
The two bills last named will undoubtedly
In be passed, but the fates of the bankrupt anC
Dakota bills are problemsticsl. In the House
where business Is transacted with less rapid
ity, there are TO be acted upon, In addition to
those shove mentioned, all OF the contested
election cases, the Geneva award bill, the
bank charter bill, the navy improvement
bill. the general claims bill, intended to re-
lieye Congress Of the consideration of all
sorts Of private claims, involving the adju-
dication of questions of law and fact and a
number of other measures, to be taken up
after smother week spent upon the tariff
COMMISSION bill.
International Peace Congress-:
yhe following message was sent to Con-
grss to-day:
70 the Senate and House OF Representatives:
ition extended TO al the independent countries of
). North and south America to participate in
general congress to be held in the city OF Washing
pose OF considering and discussing the method Of
In b ate me ns1n. OF AneTica
existed differences between several OF the repub-
against the happy results which might otherwise
be expected from such assemblages. The differ
and Peru, betseen Mexico and Guatemala
and between the States OF Central America.
IL WIS hoped that these differences would dis
appear before the time fixed for the meeting
OF the congress This hope has not been realized.
lihf4HB ODSeINcd the OF lle fresl-
dent TO convene such congress has been ques-
toned. beg leave TO state that the constitution
confers on the President the power, by and with
the consent OF the Senate, to make treaties and
that this provision confers the power to take all
end the President may freely confer with one or
several commissioners or delegates from other
lions The congress contemplated by the invita-
uon could only effect any valuable result by its
conclusion eventually taking the form OF a treaty
sides, the invitation 10 the States of North and
south America IS merely preliminary act, OF
can hardly be afirmed r. has been sues
gested that while an international congress would
there represented. still the congress might be un-
willing to subject the recent treaty rights of the
United states on the isthmus aud elsewhere on the
continent, to be clouded and rendered uncertain
by the expression of an opinion OF a congress
to have IL In my power to refer to the Congress of
yne stsses as now DO the Propety OF con-
may thus be informed of its views which 1t will be
ga % Of fhe e 4% 19n wng
Is intended this International congress shall CON
day as convenient inform me by resolution or
otherwise OF its opinion in the premises. My
action wiz be in harmony with such expression.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
EXECUTIVE MANSION. April IS, 1882
Mississippi River improvements.
The following is the Presidents message to
Congress recommending an appropriation
OF S2,O2O,OOO for restoring the Mississippi
levees instead of 81 100000 heretofore recon-
mended for that purpose by the Mississippi
River Commission:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
transmit herewith q letter dated the 2gth
ultlmo from the secretary of war inelosing copy
OF the communication received from the Missis-
sippi River Commission, in which the commission |
reeommends that an appropriation may be made
levees, in addition to like for which an esti
mate has already been submitted. The subject is |
recommend early and favorable cons deration |
OF the recommendation of the commission. Hav- |
Congress. with view of improving its navigation
and protecting the people of tine valley against |
river to be made for the purpose of acquiring |
a knowledge of the laws that control it and |
%. 1879 the Mississippi River Commission |
was created, composed of able engineers soe- |
duty of said commission to take into considera- |
ton and mature such plan or plans and estimates |
the channel and protect the banks OF the Missis-
sip2i river, improve and give safety and ease to |
facilitate trade, commerce and postal service
Inc consututionality of the law making appro-
TONED. While the report of the commission sub |
mfted. ana the plans proposed for river improve |
ment seem justified, as well on scientific prin-
cples as by experience and the approval OF the |
people most interested, desire leave it to the
for a permanent and complete improvement Of the |
Fiverand protection OF the valley. The immense
ing near the Tiser ssitle 10 re con
gress the propriety not only Of making an appro
the recent floods. SIS recommended by the commits
sion, but that Congress should inaugurate meas |
ures for the permanent Improvement OF the navi- |
CATION OF the river and the security of the valley.
IL may be that such system of improvement |
would as 1t progressed require appropriation of
s2O,0OOO0O or $50 600 900. Even such an expendi-
ture, extending as it must years, can
not be regarded us extravagant in view of the i'm
mense interests involved. The safe and conyen- |
lent navigation of the Mississippi is a matter of |
concern to all sections OF the county, but to the
Northwest, with its-immense harvest needing |
transportation to lhe sea, and the inhabitants OF
the river valley, whose lives and property depend
upon the pIoper construction of safeguards which |
will protect them from floods it is OF vital inpor-
lance that well matured and comprehensive |
plan for improvement should be put into |
operation with as little delay as possible. |
The cotton product OF the region subject to |
devastating floods is of wealth to the ma
ton and OF great importance in keeping the bal
anees of trade in favor. It may not be mop
perfume to mention that this government has i'm
posed and collected some $4,000 600 by tax ON |
cotton, in the production of which the population
OF the lower Mississippi is largely engaged and it
does not seem 1nequitable to return portion of |
this tax to those who contributed it, particularly
as such 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 Is, 1882.