The Osceola times., 1883-09-08

Mississippi river improvement "dish-
ed up" in letter written last De-
cember, to Judge Leach, of Natchez,
which we see copied in the Gazette,
but it is too lengthy for reproduction
in our columns. His fddling and
trimming now, however will not
change the congressional records,
copies of which are scattered broad
cast over the land. Throughout the
entire record, he has been directly
and indirectly opposed to every
measure looking to the Improvement
of the Mississippi. The Mississippi
River Commission was created, and
approved July. 3rd., 1879. In the
46th., Congress, the River and Har-
Dor Bill passed the House June 2nd.,
1879, by vote of l20 to 20, the
bill went to the Senate, and amend
ed only as to the number of Engin-
eers, that should compose the Com
mission. The session was near to a
close, and failure to concur in the
Senate Amendment would have de-
feated the bill. On June 21st., (See
vol. 8 Con. record, p. 22S4) on con-
curing in the Senate Amendment
to the bill, Carlisle voted, No.
"Hc voted or was paired against each
ofthe river and harbor appropriation
bills for the fiscal years 1882 and
1883, the former carrying an ap-
preparation of Sl,000,O00 for the
improvement of the Mississippi river,
and the latter nearly $4,00O,000 for
the same purpose. On Mareh 2nd.,
1883 Mr.. Robinson on behalf Of the
Burrows Committee offered the fol-
lowing Amendment to the river and
harbor appropriation bill for contin-
uing the Improvement of the Missis-
sippi River.
"Proyided futhcr: That no mon
ey appropriated by this or any other
former act shall be used for the con-
struction or repairs Of levees along
the Mississippi River, except in full
hllment Of existing contracts"
To this Mr.. Dunn offered the fol-
lowing amendment:
"Add to'the proposed amendment
the words and for the purpose of
improving navigation 50 that the
will read:
"Proyided futher, that no money
appropriated by this or any former
act shall be used for the construc-
ton of repair Of levees along the
Mississippi River except in fulfill
ment Of existing contracts and for
the purpose of improving naviga-
ton"
The issue was joined upon this
to Robinson's and all the
hopes of the Mississippi Valley hung
upon its fate. There was half an hour
debate. Mr.. Dunn gave up his time
to Morrison and Randall, each of
whom made strong and vigorous
speeches in support of the whole
plan of improvement, levees and all.
Mr.. Carlisle did not open his mouth
nor even vote upon the amendment.
Upon a rising vote Mr.. Dunn's a.
mendment was beaten. He called
for tellers, (the House being in COM
mittee of the Whole, the yeas and
nays could not be taken) During
the taking of the vote by tellers, the
friends of the Mississippi River act
ually had to humiliate themselves to
the extent of running about on the
floor and making personal appeals
to members to vote with them. Mr..
Dunn, standing as a teller, says that
Mr.. Carlisle did not vote. Hon.
Randall l.. Gibson, of Louisiana,
then a member Of the House, saws
that he went in person to Mr.. Car
Isle and made an earnest appeal to
him to go to the rescue of the Mis-
sisslppi Valley and vote for Dunn,s IS
amendment, and he (Carlisle) refus-
ed to do it.
Dunn's amendment fortunately
prevailed by six votes, and the cause
of the Mississippi River was saved,
and the Burrows committee was
beaten. TSee daily Congressional
Record, No. "a, March 2, 1883, pages
SO, 81, 80, 56, 81, SO and 50,
So speaks the record. Mr.. Car
Isle never in all his long public ca
reer uttered one word nor cast one
vote for the improvement Of the Mis-
sissippi River, citizen Of the Ohio
valley though he be.
But says the Gazette, Mr.. Carlisle
must be in favor Of the Mississippi
River improvement because he is
Mr.. +. John Ellis candidate for
speaker. Indeed! Indeed, Then
''by the same token" Mr.. Carlisle is
rank protectionist, for M. Ellis is
a Louisiana sugar and rice protec-
zionist.
1t would be a great relief TO the
friends of the Mississippi River to
know chat Mr.. Carlisle's great inllu-
erce would in the future be exerted
for its improyments, levees and