The weekly clarion., 1882-04-26

To the citizens of Tunica Quitman, COahoma,
Sunfower, Lefore and Tallahatchie counties,
and to those citizens residing in that part of
DeSoto, Pamela, Holmes, Carroll and Yazoo
counties, whose lands are sub iect to overflow
from the waters Of the Mississippi
The Board of Mississippi Levee Commits
si0ners, now in session, and whose duty
it is, as far as they ere able, to protect from
overflow the territory composing Levee dis
trct No. 2, which is composed of the coun-
ties of Bolivar, Washington, Issaquena and
Sharkey, have in the discharge of the duty
imposed upon them, turned their thoughts
to how recurrence Of that dreadful calami-
ty from which the Yazoo Delta is just now
emerging, can be prevented. In doing 50
we affirm our faith in levees as q system,
and as aff6rding the only practical means of
escape to the Yazoo Delta from annual
overflow. We believe that with a sufficient
amount of money to construct a line of
levees on or near the banks of the Mississippi
river, of proper size, that next to absolute
immunity from overflow from the waters Of
said river can be guaranteed to the cit
izens living in said Delta. An honest effort
has been made and much money expended
by our predecessors in that direction, but
it has never been possible (without bank
ruptng our district, to realize an amount
sufficient to construct said levee5 Of 4 size
which would reasonably afford the above
guarantee. We find ourselves to-day with
a levee line of PA miles in length; having
therein many creyasses Occasoned by the
recent high water; country overtiowed
and devastated. We have reckoned our
means and find them far from what is nee
cessary to accomplish the desired purpose,
viz: the protection Of the Yazoo Delta
from overflow. We find the courage of our
people undaunted; their faith in the levee
system unshaken; ready to take hold like
men, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with
those whose duty they believe it to be to
aid them, and to set to work at once and
in earnest to build up the broken lcyees,
and to repair their waste places. We alike
find our treasury we'll nigh empty, our re-
sources much impaired, and a growing in
to rebuild said levees unless
you unite with and help us to do 50. This
we think just. We think the maintenance
of common protection should be bygcom-
mon contribution. Do away with the idea
prevalent with some of you, that your
lands are exempt from overflow. Note the
food-line of 1882 and guard against its re-
currence We invite you to join us, and
ask that you bear your share of the burden
which is for our common good. Believing
that you will do so, and to the end that le-
wee district may be formed of the counties of
Tunica, Coahoma, Quitman, Bolivar, Wash
ington, 1ssaquena, Sharkey, Sunfower, Le-
fore and Tallahatchie, and such parts of
DeSoto, Carroll, Pamela, Holmes and Yazoo
counties as are subject to overflow from the
waters of the Mississippi river, upon such
terms of taxation and representation as may
be agreed upon; we recommend that con-
vention be held at Greenville, On MONDAY
JUNE 19, A. d. 1882, for the purpose of dis
cussing, considering, and agreeing upon
such a leyee district, taxation and
representation, as We may deem just
and proper and our necessities require; and
for taking the necessary steps to obtain a
special session of the Legislature for the
purpose of having such an act made law.
We ask that you meet US in convention at
the time and place above named and in
the meantime, that each of the foregoing
counties and parts of counties hold mass
meetings at their respective court-houses or
other convenient places, by the Boards of
Supervisors of the respective counties, Sc
leet two delegates to attend the convention
aforesaid, and there to represent the inter-
ests of said counties
Respectfully,
JAMES f. Stokes, President.
w. A. EyERMAN. Sec. and Treas.