Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-08-17

SWEET SPRINGS, W. VA, July 70, 1858.
Hon. G. L. Wright. Secretary Nj; sissippi River I'm
movement Committee, ST. Louis:
DEAR SRI have btep much grstifed at
tie zeal with which the cit zens Of st. Louis
uphold he legislation for tie impTov. mtnt
of the Mississippi river. / fear, kosevEr,
you have posi- oned the meeting of your
committee 10 too la e a date. 10 my humble
judgment it ST ould meet al Washington early
alter the LIST of December, and again, If
NC sssry, at 8 later dste.
Under The practice of The government, the
appropriations made at the approaching sas-
SION q Congress will not Re available until
after Tune 80, 1884. l. it not highly i'm
porIsn. that We should obtain an sppropria-
ton esly-by the let Of January, If posi-
BILE no. merely TO carry forward and pro-
t. ct he works already undertaken, but to
prevent wssIe and their loss and deslruction?
The fret measure offered 10 the Forty
fourth Congress was a II solu'i ion constituting
q standing committee on levess, and from
that lime until now, covering a period Of
more Than eight year-, / have eudeavored in
every way o secure such q mod fication OF
the rules Of Il t Hon e as would slow If the
separate consideration of the Interests Of the
Mississippi river. The records chow this,
and they al low a'so that the House h.r
steadily refused 10 permit Sc piTate considers
ton, both by the action CT its great commit
tees, when the gu. stiop Was brought b for.
THIN, rs well ~ when l brought it dire city
before The House itse f. OF course, there.
fore, in c1Bducting the legislation for the
improvement of the river, L followed, as j
was obliged 10 CO, the established ru!ts and
the practice of the House. But it may be
that on account OF the widespread ~interesl
In st is now manifested by The whele people
Of the valley in this legislation that through
the combined effrr 8 Of The representatives Of
the valley the House and the committees
may be induced 10 relax the rl!es and 10
permit a bill 10 be brought in separate FROM
other b lis for the Mississippi river.
The vssi IL ssss that must follow delay, ard
the lmmeasuresble bene6 E from prompt &C
tiop, the urgency OF the Gaze, may enable our
Representatives in the Houte to secure sn
appropriation immediately afier The meeting
OF CoDgre 3. l wss able to carry bills while
a member OF the House sppropriafing over
) 100000 for the Mississippi river, but
wss compelled to go 10 the Committee on
&c and to incorpors'e these appro-
priations for the Mississippi with those OF Ihs
other rivers and harDors of the country, I'm
der the rules of both the Hcu and the COM
mitiee. Some igoorsnt and foolish persons
have censured me for obeying the rules Of
House and OF the committee having iuris-
SNAO "a hHS "HAAS u a n III
of the House. But such critici-m is nsrrow
and disappears when examined.
i have asked no credit, and | am sure The
people | strove 10 serve will not ~upiuslly
censure me. But should the attempt 10 re.
cure a mod 6cation OF the rults Of the HOUSE
and OF the Committee OF Commerce fail, per
hsps a river and harbor bill, supplements
in character and limited 10 appropii stionl
for our great national rivers and harbor-
may be framed and brought immediately
under the recommendation Of Gen. Wright
the civil engineers and the Secretary OF War
L know from Gan. Wright that erea
Losses have resulted ard the destruction o
public works on account OF the failure of tn,
last river aud barbor bill. 1t is quite likell
tbs he may urge immediate appropriations
. for certain OF these work., and, among 9th
! ere, for those on the Mississippi.
4 Would it not for tbose reasons be hest TO
your committee or a subcommittee to be oil
the ground at the meeting Of Congress?
1t matters little to the people TO be bepe
6!ed whether the appropriation lie made 10
the Mississippi river, coupled with those 70
the other great rivers, harbors and lakes
or not, and this attempt TO censure the repre-
~sen,atives because they followed the rule
Of the House, 10 which they belong, will fsl
upon unwilling ears. The main thirg is {
get an approximation, in order TO enatle th
Mississippi River Commission TO carry fol
wsrd their work; and L submit that III
sooner your committee cone TO Wa,hiugior
after The opsning of Congress, the better.
will be glad TO se9 you there. You hsv
been here already, lone good work, and ar
known and respected, able snd faithful
friends OF the river, snd you appreciate tn
difficulties to be overcomo. The fact this
The last appropriation for the improvement
of the rivsr was carried when undsr separ
ate confederation in the Committee Of th
Whole OF he House OF Representatives, b
six maj ,rity, tfter a long and spirited cor
test, ought TO convince our friends iu tn
Mississippi Valley that the struggle is goin
10 be a severe one, and can only be won b
earnest cooperation and persistent effort
gaining strength and allies in every homo
able manner, without undertaking to reforr
the rules and practice of the House and th
great standing committees 5. We will get
separate bill if we cap, but if we cannot "
will take q combined bill. You're, faithful,
r. l. GIRSuN