Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-19

tb at is possible. To &C complish these results
two plans have been p roposed. One Of these
plans undertakes 10 b. ing about the desired
results BY drawing of from the main chan
mel any sup srfuous vster by the construc-
ton of outlets. Suppose that by this sys-
TEN foods could be provided against, how
would letting water out Of the river remove
obstructiDg bars and shoals, and &C.
cure permanent addition to the
depth Of the chauiel7 The other sys-
tenn proposes 10 reduce hoods, to remove
distractions and 10 secure a permanently
greater depth OF water in the dry season by
deepening the channel. The increased depth
would supply the needs of navigation at
times when the supply of water is smallest,
and a deep channel would give space for the
flow in timer Of high water, in this way di-
minishing floods. The channel would be
made deeper by the same means that deep
ened the river at the jetties, 80 that where
there was originally e depth there of only
eight and half feet ships now reach New
Orleans that draw twenty-six feet. The jetty
plan that deepens the channel necessarily
removes the shoals and bars that obstruct
navigation. This plan, therefore, accom-
plishes all the ends req1ired-the diminish
ing OF foods, the removal OF distractions
and an increase of permanent depth in the
channel. This latter plan is that now car
rying out by the River Commission.
Clear as it is that, if having
such river as the Mississippi is an ad-
vantage, that advantage should be made the
most Of there is a strong opposition TO the
commission doing its important work. The
opposition CJImes frUIu EASTERN seaportz be-
cause, as the Mississippi is put in better
navigable condition, much Western freight
that reaches the sea now by Eastern sea-
porte, will 10 so by the Mississippi. Rail-
roads now engaged in transporting this
freight, are also opposed TO the Mississippi
improvement, as they think it 10 be against
their interests. Both these parties are mis-
taken, because increase of trade and wealth
and population will be the consequence of
unobstructed navigation of the river, and
this increase OF commerce and wealth will
add more to the East than can be taken from
it by improved navigation facilities in the
river. While they cannot appreciate this
latter fact, however, their opposition is not
surprising. But TO see principal newsps-
per in manufacturing and mer-
camille city like Cincinnati, joining
pertinsciously and acrimoniously the Eastern
opposition, the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette,
is surprising thing, for that city, along
with other cities in the Mississippi Valley,
has deep interest in the Improvement of
the great river. How far the citizens Of Gin.
cinnati agree with the opposition of the Com
merciaL Gazeae we do not know, but the New
Orleans 1in,ss-Denlocrat points out TO Them
that they are practically sustaining this OPP
position, to the disadvantage of their own
business interests. 1t says that Cincinnati
has interests at stake as we'll as New Or
leans, and that if Cincinnati will look to
their interest New Orleans will look to theirs,
and also to the safety of their city from be-
ing destroyed in consequence of the improve
ments now making; and that the people
there are better judges Of these matters than
any newspaper upon the Ohio can be. "We
guarantee" it adds, "that New Orleans will
never be flooded as Cincinnati has been this
year." The Times Democrat declares that
"St Louis and New Orleans, and all the riyer
cities, invite Cincinnati TO join them in sd-
vocsting this plan, that will render the
river running before their doors navigsble
Al
year, giving it the longest and cheapest
water comm lnication in the world. II Gin
cinnai wishes 10 win Southern trade-and
the South, it own papers confess, is the best
field before tit must aid by ats influence
and support those plans which will improve
the river. Weeannot but believe that the
merchants Of that city, who are wise and
| far-seelng men, appreciate the advantage OF
having deep water in the river, and the
mouth of the Mississippi opened instead of
being damned by bar" II is proposed
that the various cities in the valey-prgsnize
for the purpose OF sustaining their mutual
interests in the improvement of the river,
and of defending those interests against the
attacks of enemies whether in the East or
the West. The Times Democrat closes its
sensible and temperate article as follows:
"If Cincinnati is not with the rest Of
the valley in this matter it thereby
openly declares Itself an enemy, allied with
| the Easl in an attempt TO prevent great
work which will double The population and
proluc iveness Of this great section, and dou-
be the price of its products by reducing the
cost of transporting them to the seabosrd."
For cur own part we are certain that the
merch ants and the commercial community
Of Cincinnati will act in the present case
with that good sense and business intuition
for which they are pre.eminently distiu-
guished.