Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-07
REPORT OF THE CoMMTTEE:


SIR-The committee appointed at former
meeting of the exchange, charged with the
duty of considering the injury now being
done to the water front OF the city by the ac-
ton OF the Mississippi river, and OF advising
the most feasible and effectual means OF pre-
venting its further progress, respectfully re-
port: That they have made = most careful
examination Of the matter and sought to OBJ
tain all the information concerning it within
their reach, not only from personal observa-
ton but from other sources of such high
character as to materially influence their
Judgment. In the outset OF their investiga-
ton they addressed letter 10 Major W. III.
II. Beny aurd, the army engineer now on duty
at this place, embracing inquiries upon sew
eral points in respect to which they desired
informs tiOn, and which letter, together with
his reply, is herewith submitted a. a part OF
this report. From Major Benyaurd's letter
will be seen the extent oil the danger to which
the entire river front is exposed from the
Tennessee chute to point below the foot of
j jefferson street, the rapidity with which the
river is encroaching upon the shore-ine the
measures which have been taken heretofore
to stay its progress, and what, in his judg-
ment, Is yet necessary to be done TO thor
Oughly insure the accom- lishment of this OBJ
ject, together With an estimate OF its probable
cost. Il pom the two first points Of inquiry
the committees personal knowledge and OBJ
servation have furnished them with more ex-
tended information than is contained in this
communication, and from which they
are enabled 10 form fuller estimate
OF the immense loss which has
already been inflicted by the abrasion
and caving in of the river bank in conse-
quence of its full current flowing against it
for q period of more than fifteen years,
having been about that time DETECTED from
the western shore at point few miles
above the city by causes which the committee
are unable to determine with sufficient GER
tainty TO venture an opinion concerning
them. During the period mentioned the
eastern shore line in front of the city re-
coded nearly half mile, and while it was
being thus rapidly melted away thousands of
dollars worth of property has been annually
buried in the bosom of the river This in
vasion of the water has not been confined
alone to the space between the mouth of Ten
nessee chute and the foot Of Jefferson street, |
where Its ravages have been the most de-
structive, and where the most imminent
danger is now threatened, but it has extended
meanwhile to the section of the river between |
the foot OF Linden street and Fort Pickering, |
and all along this space acres of the high |
land plateau, covered with handsome resi- |
1ences and costly improvements, have tum-
bled into the river and been swept away. |
Phe committee can scarcely estimate the |
damage which has thus resulted, but it must,
hey are satisfied, aggregate a very large
sum; but a still more discouraging and |
= farming feature is the apparent certainty
hat more disastrous results will soon follow
1nless some effectual remedy is promptly
applied. In respect TO the surest and
most effectual means and methods of STAYING
his ceaseless wasting away OF the city's river
'front.', and constant destruction of valuable
property which will presently blight all
hope of prosperity and growth, the commit
zee do not feel competent to give an opinion
lpon which they could invite public reli-
lnce, but 80 far, however az they have been
lble to reach any satisfactory conclusion,
heir judgment accords with the views sub
nitted by Major Benyaurd, and the commit
zee can suggest nothing which they think
'etter. The plan proposed by him has the
ull sanction and approval OF Major Niles
deriwether, the accomplished and pains
aking city engineer, who has heartily CO.
'perated with the committee, and who has
,iven the subject much thought and investi-
alton. The government has already under
AIKEN the work, and so far under skillful
direction. The committee, through a sub
emmittee OF its members appointed for that
purpose, have had a conference with the
ity government with view of securing the
OF that body in this work OF
ubiie protection, and they were met with
be assurance that every assistance within
each OF municipal authority would be
heerfully rendered, and prompt, decisive
ction was taken by the Legislative
'ouncil to make good this promise
Major Benyaurd has been successfully
accomplishing all that could
ave been expected in the face OF the obsts-
les which have opposed and retarded him;
ut the annual appropriations made by Con-
ress have not been sufficient to enable him |
, prosecute it with that vigor and rapidly
hich the emergency required. We are :
atisfed that the early completion OF this
ork after the plan suggested by Major Ben
aurd is most urgently demanded by the ,
ighest considerations of public interest and {
rejection, and We are equally satisfied that
either the needed means nor the requisite
minority for its accomplishment are within
Ie compass of the city municipality or of
rivate enterprise, and that it must of neces- /
ty be prosecuted by the Federal govern !
emit We therefore recommend that its aid r
promptly and earnestly invoked. To that
I'd the committee have prepared a memo
al to Congress urging the requisite legisla-
IN as speedily as possible, and recommend 4
at it be signed by the officers of the city v
vernment, the officers and members of the n
,tton Exchange, leading steamboatmen,
Isiness men of the city, etc., and then for b
irded to our senators and representatives..
Il of'which is respectfully submitted We
we the honor to be yours very respectfully,
CASEY YOUNG, p