Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-04-20
WASHINGTON.
Special Message From the Presl-
dent.
The Star Route Gases Again IN
der Consideration.
Ex-senator Dorsey Appears III
Court.

WASHINGTON, D. C, April 16.-
The following is the Presidents
message to Congress to day:
To the Senate and House of Repre-,
sentatives..
I transmit herewith letter, dated
29th ultimo, from the Secretary OF
War, enclosing copy of a communi
cation from the M,sSisslppi River
Commission, in Winch the commis-
sion recommends that an appropria~
ton may be made of S10,O0O,0OO for
CLOSING existing gaps in levees,
in addition to like sum for which
all estimate has already been sub
mitted. The subject is one of such
Importance that l deem it proper to
recommend an early and favorable
consideration of the recommends
tions of the commission.
Having possession Of and
jurisdiction over the river, Congress,
with the view of improving its navi>
cation and protecting the people OF
the valley from floods, had for seye~
raj years caused surveys of the river
to be made for the purpose Of ac>
quiring knowledge of the laws that
control it, and Of its phenomena.
BY an act approved June 28th, 1879,
the Mississippi River commission
was created, composed of able engi>
neers. Section four of said act pro~
vides, that it shall be the duty of
said commission to take into consids
Grafton and mature such plan
or plans and estimates as will
correct, locate and deepen the chan
mel and protect the banks of the
Mississippi River, improve and give
safety and ease to the navigation
thereof, and facilitate commerce,
trade and postal service The cons
stitutionality OF the law making ap-
preparations in aid of these objects
cannot be questioned, while the re-
report of the commission
submitted, and plans proposed for
the rivers Improvement seem justi-
fed as well scientific principles as by
experience and the approval of the
people most Interested. I desire to
leave it to the judgment Of
Congress to decide upon
the best plan for the permanent
and complete improvement of the
river and for the protection of the
valley. 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 levees occa
stoned by the recent floods, as re-
commended by the commissioners,
but that Congress should inaugurate
measures for the permanentimprove
ment of navigation and the security
of the valley. It may be that such
system of improvements would as it
progressed require an appropriation
of twenty or thirty million
of dollars. Even such an
expenditure, extending as it must
over several years, cannot be res
garded as extravagant III view of the
immense interests involved. Safe
and convenient navigation of the
Mississippi is a matter of concern to
all sections of the country, but to the
northwest, with its immense harvests
needing transportation to sea, and
to the inhabitants of the river valley
whose lives and property depend
upon the proper construction of safe
guards which protect them from the
floods. It is of vital Importance that
well maturedand comprehensive plans
for improvement should be put into
operation with as littledelay as pos
sible. The cotton product of the
region subject to the devastating
foods is a source of wealth to the
nation, and of great importance il
keeping the balance of trade in ou
favor. 1t may not be inopportun'
to mention that this government ha'
imposed and collected some $40,
100000 by tax on cotton, in thu
production of which the population
Of the lower Mississippi is largely en-
gagged, and it does seem inequitabl
to return a portion of this ia;
to those who contribute it, particu
larly, as such an action will also re
suit in important gain to tn
country at large, and especially so t
the great and rich States of tn
Northwest, and to the MISSISSIPPI
Valley.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Executive Mansion, April II, 1885,
The star route cases were agai
taken up in the criminal court to-da,
Ex Senator Dorsey was present
court and the forfeiture Of his ba
was cancelled. The counsel fc
the defense moved for a bill of PAL
ticulars and the day was consume
in arguments upon this motion
Judge Wylie reserved his decisic
until Saturday. Mr.. Dorsey WI
arraigned and pleaded not guilty.
CONGRESSIONAL.