The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-04-26

On the Mississippi River improvement.
4 Patriotic and Timely Declaration.
HE R-Eco,rNExps TIE ERRovENEST OF
rHr RIVER EyES IF IT COSTS $50, 0o0, 600.

HE RrcoxNESps TIE IMPROVEMENT OF
z RIVER EVEN II II COSTS S3o,0oGe0a.
To the Senate and House OF Representatives,;
I transmit herewith q letter dated the
29th ultimO from the Secretary Of War,
inclosing a copy of the communication
received from the Mississippi River Com
mission. in which the commission recon-
mends that an appropriation may be made
Of 81, OO0, 600 for closing the existing gaps
in the levees, in addition to a ike sum Tor
which an estimate has already been suomlt-
ted. The subject IS one OF such importance
that I deem it proper to recommend an early
and favorable consideration of the recon-
-mepdation of the commission. Having
possession and Jurisdiction over the river,
Congress. with a view of improving It's
navigation and protecting the people Of the
valley against foods, had for years caused
SURVEYS of the river to be made for the
purpose of acquiring 8 knowledge OF the
laws that control it and Of its phenom-
ena. By an act approved June =,
1879, the Mississippi River Commission
was created, composed of able engineers
Section 4 of the act provides that 1t shall pc
the duty of said commission 10 take into con-
sideration and mature such PLAZA or plans
and estimates as will correct, permanently
locate and deepen the channel and protect
the banks of the Mississippi river, improve
and give safety and ease to navigation
thereof, prevent destructive floods, facilitate
trade, m and postal service. The
constitutionality of the law making appro-
priations in aid of these objects cannot be
questioned. While the report Of the COM
mission submitted, and the plans proposed
for river improvement seem justified, as
well on scientific principles As by expert
enca and the approval OF the people most IN
terested, | desire to leave it TO the judgment
of Congress to decide upon the best plan for
a permanent and complete improvement OF
the river and protection of the valley. The
immense loss and widespread suffering otthe
people dwelling near the river induce
me to urge upon Congress the proprl
ETY. not only of making an appropriation
to close the gaps in the levees occupied by
the recent floods as recommended by th'
commission, but that Congress should inau
gurate measures for the permanent improve
ment of the navigation of the river and tn,
security Of the valley. 1t may be that suci
a system of improvement would as it pro
gressed require an appropriation OF $4,000,
900 or $4,000, 900. Even such an expen
AlbulC3 CAlCAaAhS 40 ~ hA01N - GNfNAA
years, cannot be. regarded as extravagant
in view of the immense interests involved
The safe and convenient navigation Of tbs
Mississippi is a matter OF concern TO all sec
tions of the country, but to the Northwest
with its immense harvest needing transpor
tation to the sea, and the inhabitants OF tn,
river valley, whose lives and property de
pend upon the proper construction of safe
guards which will protect them from floods,
it is of vital Importance that a well matureC
and comprehensive plan for improvement.
should be PUT into operation with as littl
delay as possible. The cotton product 0
the region subject to devastating floods is
source of wealth to the nation and of grea
importance in keeping the balances of trad,
in our favor. 1t may not be inopp)rtune K
mention that this government has imposed
and collected some $7O,O 0 0 900 by a tax OF
cotton, in the production of which the pop
%ulation of the lower Mississippi is largely
engaged, and it does not seem negotiable t
return a portion of this tax to those whC
contributed it, particularly as such action
will also result in an important gain to tht
country at large, and especially so to tn
great and rich States of the Northwest and
the Mississippi valley.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR,
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April Is, 1882.