Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-12-29


government. The report says that within
the past year some serious inconvenience
has been suffered from eXorbitant de-
mands made by landowners for brush and
poles. These materials in most cases are
worth little or nothing 10 the owner,
and unsal able to any buyer except the
government at any price. But at the
prices some owners ask they make large
items OF cost. 1t is not believed that there
would be frequent occasions to resort
to condemnation OF private property, if
such proceedings authorized it, as in
most cases the existence of the power
would he a sufficient preventive to
the extortion, although cases may arise
in which the possession and exercise
OF this power will be highly impoT-
tant. 1t is highly desirable, also, that
Congress shall prescribe by law the extent
to which material found ON islands and
bars in the river may be used without the
payment OF damages. II is believed that
the supreme right OF control and improve
ment of rivers navigable for interstate
commerce, vested in the United States,
carries with it the right to use in the work
of improvement, without the consent OF
any individual owner, all such materials
found within the limits of the river itself,
and which constitute part OF it, 1t is
recommended also that
PROVISION BE MADE
by law for retaining control by the gov
ernment Of land built up by deposits in
duced by the work OF improvement placed
in the river bed. This amounts in some
instances to hundreds OF acres, and in
some localities riparian owners may be
disposed to claim possession, although to
the detriment of the improvement. 1t is
expected that in most such cases it will be
found desirable to encourage the growth
of trees upon newly-made banks, and oc-
cupy them that way many years, perhaps
permanently. 1t is regarded as important
also that law be enacted Furnishing any
person who shall make a cutoff at any
neck or point on the Mississippi river.
The history of the river indicates a ten
dency to recurring cycles OF change. A
cutoff is followed by a sudden increase in
the velocity of the current in its vicinity,
and by rapid caying above and below.
These likely cause other cut-oiis, one
after another, and then results in widely
extended and long-continued disturbance
of the regimen of the river. During the
continuance of such period works OF i'm
provement in the channel would
be attended with the greatest diff
ticulty. No great cutoff has occurred
since that OF Nicksburg in 1876, and the
present condition of the river in that re-
spect is regarded as favorable. But condi-
tions are also existing for the introduction
of cycle changes by making a single cutoff
| injurious, the consequences OF which 1t is
| impossible to estimate. Such events hap
pened in the past through the lawless acts
| of individuals, and against these stringent
/ penalties should be provided. The finan-
| cial statements accompanying the reports
| give estimates of the funds required fol
/ the fiscal year ending June so, 1884. FoI
| the improvement of the Mississippi river
! below Cairo, S3000000 For the fiscal
| year ending June 80, lSS5-worll in New
Madrid reach, Sl,000,000; work in Mem
| phis reach, $3.50, 600; salaries and expenses
-of the commission for the next fiscal year
| -S200,0 OF the appropriation for the i'm
/ provement Of the river by act of August
/ >, 1882, there was a balance on hand, De
| cember /, 1882, of S2,3SS 600; amount
expended to November l, 1889, including
OUTSTANDING LIABILITIES,
| estimated to January l, 1884, 3, lS1, ,133
| balance available unpledged January
1891, but which will be required for the
care OF property and maintenance OF or
ganizatiOn the remainder of the fiscal year
| 5000. .269. Balance available OF the appro
! priation for New Orleans harbOr, Novem
! Der l, 1883, $l00,37S. Improving mOutf
of Red river, S38, 81; Natchez harbor
S533l. The members OF the commission
signing the report are Maj. c. K. Suter
Henry Mitchell, b. NJ. Harrod, Robert s
| Taylor and S. W. Ferguson.
\ minority report was submitted by
| Gen. c. 3. Comstock. He says the appro
priation of $11 AS, 40 mentioned by the
commission is too small for any adequate
system OF levees intended to prevent de
structive floods. AS stated by the com
mission, a thorough study OF the subject 0
levees had not yet been made. Till then ac
curate estimates are impossible. and hight:
above the floods OF .Ss3 ui three feet a
Columbus, ten feet at Fulton inur feet a
Helena aad ten feet at Lake Providence
are only apuroXimates. SuCh as they art
they ~ Ike ! impossible to concur i'll the
estimate -iiI, = fl3, ,770-as the cost OF I
general system oi levees from Commerce
Mo, to the forts adequate to preserve tha
country iron. destructive floods. Gen
Q. \. Gilmore uoRcurs in the reports o
the commission with single qualification
that the value Of levees as a factor in tht
problem Of channel improvement in PIE
venting the wide dispersion OF flood wa
ters, is not affirmed in the report in suffi
ciently positive terms, and to that clear
ness and prominence with which, in hi
Judgment. IL is entitled.