The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1882-04-28
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
ONTHE SUBJECT OF RIVER
IMPROVEMENT. "A sa~

ing is the Presidents message to Con-
gress to-day: m
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
| transmit herewith letter dated the
29th uIt., from the Secretary Of War, in
closing copy af Communication froai
the Mississippi River Commission, 10
which the Commission recommends that
an appropriation may bemade Of SIC. 900
900 for closing existing gaps in the levees
in addition to like sum for which an
estimate has already been submitted.
TIE subject is one Of such importance
that ] deem it proper to recommend an
early aud favorable consideration of the
Recommendations of the commission.
Having possession If, 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 facquiring knowl
edge Of the laws that control it aud Of its
phenomena. BY an act approved June
2sth 1879, the Mississippi River ,'om-
mission was created, composed uf able
engineers. Section Of the act provides:
That it shall be the duty Of said com
mission to take into consideration aud
mature such plan or plans and estimates
as will correct, permanently locate and
deepen the channel aud protect the banks
of the Mississippi river, improve aud
give snfety ard ease to the navigation
thereof, prevent destructive foods and
promote and facilitate commerce, trade
aud the postal service. The constitution
ality of the law making appropriations
in aid of these objects caunot ne qnes-
toned, while the report of the commis
sion submitted aud the plans proposed
for the rivers improvement seem justi-
fed as we'll on scientific principles as by
experience, au tha appr wal of the peo-
pie most interested. and also desire to
leave il to the indgmsntaof Congress to
decide upon the best plan for the perma
nent 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 a. 3 q
preparation to close the gaps in the leveet
oeoasioued by the recent floods, as rec
commended by the commission, but that
Congress should inaugurate measures
for the permanent improvement of the
navigation OF the river ard the security
Of the valley. 1t may be that. such sys
tenn Of improvement would, as it progrei
ses require the appropriation of twenty
or thirty millions Of dollars. Even sucl
au expenditure, extending as it must ov-
er several years, cannot be regarded as
extravagant in view of the immense IN
terests involved.
The safe and convenient navigation o
the Mississippi is matter Of concern t.
all sections Of theconntry; to the North
west, with its immense harvests needing
transportation; TO Alabama and to the i
habitants of the river valley, whose live
and property depend uponthe proper con
struction Of the safeguards which protec
them from floods. It is Of vital impor
tance that q well matured and compre
| henslve plan Of improvement should b
put into operation with as little della
as possible.
The cotton product of the region sui
I iect to devastating floods, is source
wealth to. the nation and of great impoi
: tauce IN keeping the balance of trade
d our favor.
It may not be inopportnne to mentio
J that this government has imposed an
I. collected SIC, ,00O 0O0 by tax on cottoI
in the production Of which the popuh
\ ton Of the lower Mississippi is largel
:; engaged, and il does not seem inequiti
BILE to return portion Of this tax
!; those who contributed it, particular
\ as such an action will also result in Q
y. important gain TO the country at larg
and especially so to the great and riC
I = States of the Northwest and to the Mi
sippi valley.
N CHESTER a. ARTHUR.
0 Executive Mansion, April IL, 1S