The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-12-29
AN ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE,
BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE IN
TER STATE LKvEE CONVENTION.
VlcxsBuRa, MISS, October Cd, 1888.

VIcxsBURa, MISS, October Cd, 1888.
To the Ctissns of the Mississippi Valley:
The undersigned appointed an Executive
Committee by the Interstate Levee Con.
vention, recently assembled at Vicksburg,
desire to lay before you some of the results
of that convention and the necessities OF
the hour. The convention was purely
business asssmblsge, called by the Chief
Executive Of Louisiana for the purpose OF
devising methods of forwarding and pro-
noting the overshadowing interests of the
Mississippi Valley, that of protecting it
from overflow and improving its river navi-
CATION. As the practical outcome of the
convention, it provided for perpetuating
itself by effecting permanent organization,
appointing an Executive Committee and
taking steps to secure annual conventions
of a similar character, with the hope that
its membership and influence will constant
ly extend until it shall include all of the
states lying in the great Mississippi Valley.
1t adjourned to meet in Washington City
on the 18th of January next, with the view
of coming directly In contact with the MEM
beers of Congress, the Executive aud differ
ent heads of departments, and the River
Commission.
1t instructed this committee to appoint a
delegation Of prominent citizens to consist
of not moro than three from each state rep
resented on the floor of the convention to
attend the ensuing session of Congress for
the purpose of promoting and forwarding
all measures which such delegation may
deem of interest or value to the evee sys.
tenn of the Valley aud to the improvement
ofrivsr navigation. 1t is the intention that
this delegation shall be composed of gentle
men who will certainly 60 to
Washington ct an early date
after the assembling Of Con-
gress, who will look with an eye single to
the interest entrusted to them and who will
remain at their post as long as it is posi-.
BILE to effect any good. We believe that
such delegation can and will effect much of
good for the interest of the valley.
To carry out these plans, it will be nee.
essary that this committee should be liber-
ally furnished with funds. 1t is idle to
expect gentlemen to give not only their
time and labor for the benefit Of the whole
valley, but also to bear the heavy expense
incident thereto. To them individually it
would be serious and heavy outlay, whilst
if the necessary expenses were betrayed by
the citizens and sections interested, it would
be an insignificant tax upon each locality,
The cities Of New Orleans, Vicksburg and
Memphis are more vitality interested in the
permanent security and protection OF the
valley and the improvement OF its great
river, than in any other one subject. H.
deed, without it, they cannot prosper, they
must decay. We feel assured that their in
telligent business men will concur with US
10 this aud will at once respond through
their various commercial exchanges TO the
appeal of this committee. The same rel
marks are substantially applicable to the
constituted authorities of the different coun-
ties and towns and of the various leves or
CARNATIONS Of the lower valley
For the purpose ofpromptly securing the
necessary funds to carry out the purposes of
the convention, this committee has appoint
ed finance committee of three gentle
men, one from each of the states
Of Arkansas, Tennessee, M:ssis-
sipp, to call upon the various bodies, Cot
ton Exchanges, local authorities and indi-
viduals, who ought to subscribe to the
purposes in view. This, of course, will i'm
pose upon these gentlemen large amount
of labor, more, probably, than can be efi-
GENTLY performed within the required time
We would therefore urge upon the exchang
IS and upon individuals that they do not
wait to be calico upon, but that they
promptly deposit their contributions with
the Canal Bank of New Orleans, La, to the
credit of John 8. Williams, Treasurer of
the Interstate Levee Convention. Whilst
the only purpose for which it is now desired
to raise means is to defray the current ex-
penses of tho delegation to be sent to Wash
ington City, yet considerable sum will re
necessary for that purpose, as that delega-
ton will be required to remain at its post
for at least six weeks, perhaps longer.
In conclusion, we say TO you that we
mean business. 1t depends upon you
whether our efforts shall avail anything.
We can do nothing without adequate means.
If the Mississippi Valley is to be redeemed
aud made the abiding place of thrifty
and prosperous people, it must be done by
earnest cooperative effort. Everybody
must help. Some can give their time and