The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-04
Mississippi River improvements.

| The following is the Presidents message to
Congress recommending an appropriation Of
50 900 for restoring the Mississippi River
levees, instead of 100000 heretofore recon-
mended for that purpose by the Mississippi
Commission
10 the Senate end House Of Representatives.
l transmit herewith letter dated the goth
ulto. from the Secretary of War inclosing copy
OF communication from the Mississippi River
Commission in which the Commission recon-
mends that an appropriation may be made OF
Sl,olO,O0O for closing existing gaps in levees,"
III addition to the like sum for which an esti-
mate has already been submitted
The subject is one OF such importance that
deem it proper to recommend early and fa-
Vorable consideration OF the recommendations
OF the Commission.
Having possession of and jurisdiction over
the river, Congress, with view of improving
It's navigation and protecting the people of the
valley from floods, had for years caused sur
veys OF the river to be made, for the purpose
OF acquiring knowledge Of the laws that con-
troll it and of its phenomena
BY the act approved June 90, 1879, the Mis-
slsslppl River Commission was created, COM
posed of able engineers.
Section of the act provides that "It shall
be the duty of said Commission to take into
consideration and mature such plan or plans
and estimates as will correct, permanently To-
cate and deepen the channel and protect the
banks OF the Mississippi RIVER, improve and
give safety and ease to the navigation thereof,
prevent destructive floods, promote and facili-
tate commerce, trade and the postal service"
The constitutionality of law making APP
preparations in aid of these objects cannot be
questioned. While the report of the Com
mission submitted and the plans proposed for
the rivers improvement, seem justified as
well on scientific principles as by experience
and the approval OF the people most interest
ed, desire to leave it to the judgment of
Congress to decide upon the best plan for the
permanent complete improvement of the river,
and for the protection OF the valley The i'm
mense losses and widespread suffering of the
people dwelling near the river induce me to
urge upon Congress the propriety Of not only
making an appropriation to close the gaps in
the levees occasioned by the recent floods as
recommended by the Commission, but that
Congress should inaugurate measures for the
permanent improvement Of the navigation of
the river and security OF the valley. 1t may
be that such system of improvement would
as 1t progressed require the appropriation of
twenty or thirty millions of dollars. Even
such an expenditure, extending as it must
o'SA J
travagant in view of the immense interests in
volved The safe and convenient navigation
OF the Mississippi is matter of concern to all
sections OF the country, but to the Northwest
with its immense harvests needing transporta-
ton to the sea, and to the inhabitants OF the
river valley whose lives and property depend
upon the proper construction of the safe
guards which protect them from the floods, it |
is OF vital Importance that well matured and
comprehensive plan for improvement should
be put into operation with as little delay as
possible. The cotton product of the region
subject to the devastating floods is source of
wealth to the nation and OF great Importance
In keeping the balances of trade in our favor
1t may not be inepportune to mention that
this Government has imposed and collected
some seventy million dollars by tax on cot
ton, in the production of which the popula-
ton of the Lower Mississippi is largely en-
gagged, and it does not seem inequitabe to re-
turn portion of this tax to those who con
tributed it, particularly as such an action will
also result in an important gain to the country
at large, and especially as to the great and
rich States OF the Northwest and the Misss-
sippi Valley. CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Erec1f1ye M0neonn 18th A,riI 1890