The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-08

Captain J. G. Rawling, Of this city, who
- on n trip South, on board the steamer
springer" Cincinnati to New Orleans,
writes to his wife from near vicksbnrg,
that the overflow scenes from Memphis
down arc appalling, A meeting Of the pass.
engers was held on board the steamer on
the Sd, at which resolutions wero passed
for publication in various papers, setting
forth the impression OF the passengers
touching the extent Of the dire calamity
that has overtaken tho unfortunate people
otthe overlooked regions, and the necessity
for the most energetic measures Of relief on
tho part Of the Government and people.
The Captain says that in many places the
overflow il from hity to ono hundred miles
in cxtont Thousands Of people are living
on improviSed RATS and hatboats, and are
exposed to constant dangers as well as to
numberless Inconvenience Their situa-
ton is truly distressing. The facts are Of
course known to the Government, ind
it is some consolation to see that the Sec.
Rotary Of War is sending liberal
supplies in the way Of food to the suffering
people, OF course there are many woes
that the Government canno. relieve, and
disease and death must be the result to
very many whose homes arc now OIL the
water or on the bare ground on spots not
overaowed. For these there is no ade'
quate help. Mere food is only q partial
alienation. They need root over their
heads, need clothing, need medicines,
and when the water subsidies will need
something to liveon until they can plant.
The whole country is ready to contribute
to the help Of these poor people il the gov
eminent will only indicate ways and means
Of doing so. Meetings will be held in
every city and town, and money or sup
pliessent forward. The North has never
yet failed to respond to cry Of distress
from the South.
AS TO the permanent consequences Of this
flood, no adequate idea can now be formed.
The present calamity is certainly very great,
1t is to be hoped that there is silver lining
behind the cloud that is not yet seen. 1t
must result in some early and decidedsteps
on the part Of Congress on behalf Of a plan
for at least the partial prevention OF these
wide spread overaows The outlet system is
present being vigorously pressed ut Wash
ington as ut once the most natural, per-
manent and inexpensive OF all the plans
submitted. 1t is either this or else I'M
mense embankments equal to the famous
Chinese walls, in the shape of Ievees. To
build the latter would require one hundred
millions Of dollars and several years time,
and when built would be in the estimation
Of engineers OF high Standing worse
. than useless. They would cause the
bed Of tho Mississippi river to
constantly fill up, and would necessitate
the same embankments along all the trib-
'utary streams, or else cause their back
water to overflow the country through
which they pass. Indeed, so experienced
man as Capt. Cowdon, looks upon such a
plan as fraught with great peril to the
future Of the Mississippi Valley. Therefore
he favors the outlet system.
ALI this, however, is only remotely ger
name to the present widespread calamity
in the lowsr Mississippi country. Still it
presents question that must be now,
more than ever, one oil absorbing interest
to all the people of that country, and in
deed to the people Of the whole country.
It seems like mockery that a land so fair,
and OF such boundless capacity for sustain
ing a large and prosperous population,
should by reason oil these liabilities to
overflow be almost uninhabitable. The
engineering science Of the country should
be exhausted to find remedy more Crle
complete.