The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-05-13
Improvement of the mississippi

President Arthur's Admirable Special
Message to Congress.
Following is the message on the sub
Ject Of the improvement Of the Mississippi
river transmitted to Congress by Presi-
dent Arthur on the 18th Of April:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
transmit herewith letter dated the
29th ult., from the Secretary of War,
inclosing a copy Of communication
from the Mississippi River Commissio6,
in which the Commission recommends
that an appropriation may be made Of
SlO,G00,00o for closing existing gaps in
the levees III addition to like sum for
which an estimate has already been
submitted.
The subject is one Of such Importance
that deem it proper to recommend an
early and favorable consideration of the
recommendations of the Commission.
Having possession of and jurisdiction
over the river, Congress, with view of
improving its navigation and protecting
the people Of the valley from floods, had
for years caused surveys Of the river to
be made for the purpose Of acquiring
knowledge of the laws that control it
and of its phenomena. By an act APP
proved June %, 1879, the Mississippi
River Commission was created, composed
of able engineers. Section of the act
provides:
That it shall be the duty of said Commis-
sion to take into consideration and mature
such plan or plans and estimates as will
correct, permanently locate and deepen the
channel and protect the banks of the
Mississippi river, improve aud give safety
and ease to the navigation thereof. prevent
destructive floods and promote and facilitate
commerce, trade and the postal service.
The econstitutionalityo of the law making
appropriations in aid of these objects
can not be questioned, while the report
of the Commission submitted and the
plans proposed for the rivers improve
ment seem justified as we'll OIL scientific
principles as by experience, and the
approval of the people most interested,
and l desire to leave it to the Judgment
of Congress to decide on the best plan
for the permanent and complete i'm
provement Of the river and for the
protection of the valley. un..
The immense losses and widespread
suffering Of the people dwelling near the
river induce me to urge upon Congress
the propriety Of not only making an
appropriation to close the gaps in the
leyees occasioned by the recent floods, as
recommended by the Commission, but
that Congress should inaugurate mea-
sures for the permanent improvement of
the navigation of the river and the
security Of the valley. 1t may be that
such system of Improvement would, as
it progresses, require the appropriation
Of twenty or thirty millions of dollars.
Even such an expenditure, extending as
it must over severa; years, can not be
regarded as extravagant in view of the
immense interests involved.
The safe and convenient navigation of
the Mississippi is matter Of concern to
all sections of the country; but to the
Northwest, with its immense harvests
needing transportation, to Alabama and
to the inhabitants Of the river valley,
whose lives aud property depend upon
the proper constr uction of the safe
guards which protect them from floods,
it is of vital Importance that a we'll
matured and comprehensive plan of
improvement should be put into opera
tion with as little delay as possible.
The cotton product of the region
subject to the devastating floods is a |
source of wealth to the nation and Of !
great importance in keeping the balance
Of trade in our favor.
It may not be inopportune to mention
that this government has imposed and |
collected $7O,O0O,000 by tax Oh cotton, in
the production of which the population
Of the lower Mississippi is largely en-
gagged, and it does not seem inequitable |
to return portion Of this tax to those |
who contributed it, particularly as such
action will also result i'll an important |
gain to the country at large, and es-
pecially SO to the great and rich States
of the Northwest and to the Mississippi |
valley. CHESTER A. ARTHUR. |
Executive Mansion, April II, 1882.
A PHYSICIANS Opinion. |