The daily Cairo bulletin., 1884-01-01
THE MISSISSIPPI.

THE MISSISSIPPI.
In its report to congress some days ago
tho Mississippi River Commission recon-
mend that the next improvement be frs,
undertaken at New Madrid, and the second
at Memphis. The commission state tina,
there are serious practical difficulties in
the way of constructing a system of levees
no higher than will be necessary for the
confinement of ordinary floods, and at the
same time protect them from disastrous in
jury from great foods which often occur.
1t is obvious that for the secure protection
of the overflow there necessarily must be a
system Of the levsss high and strong enough
to withstand the greatest foods, and that
no other means of protection the commits
sion believe Is practicable or possible.
These facts suggest obviously the idea of
cooperation between the general govern
ment and communities interested in the
prevention Of the overflow The commls-
sion submit an estimate Of the number of
cubic yards of earth work which is required
for levses of certain grades. Between Com
merce, Mo, and the ports below New Or
leans, . distance of 1853 miles the total
fcost at rs cents per cubic yard is estimated
at I'll ,443,770. In regard to the future leg
islstion, the commission recommend that
provision be made by law for an appropri-
alton, by suitable proceedings, for the land
and material necessary for any work on the
Mississippi Improvement undertaken by
the government.
In conclusion, the report says that with.
in the past year some serious convenience
has bsen suffered from exhorbitant demands
made by land owners for brush and poles.
These materials, in most cases, are worth
little Or nothing to the owners, and are un-
salesable to any buyer, except the govern
ment, but at the prices some owners ask
they make large item of cost. 1t is high.
ly desirable that congress should prescribe
by law the extent of such material, which
may be found on islands and bars in the
river, may be used without payment of
damages It's believed that the supreme
right to control and improve river naviga.
BILE for inter state commerce which is
vested in tho United States, carries with 1t
the right to use in the work of improve
ment, without tho consent of any individual
or owner, all such materials as are found
within the limits of the river itself, AMI
constitute part Of it. 1t is regarded i'm
portsnt also that law be enacted for the
punishment Of any person who shall make
q cutoff 1t any point in the Mississippi
river. The history Of the river indicates
that cutoff is followed by a sudden in
crease in the velocity of the current in its
vicinity, and by the rapid caving in, above
and below 10 likely to cause other cut-offs,
one after another, and then results in a
widely extended and long continued dis
turbancs. No great cutoff has occurred
since that at Vicksburg in 1875, and the
present condition in that respect is regard
cd as favorable. The financial statements
accompanying the report give estimates of
the funds required for the fiscal year end
ing June 30th, 1884, for the improvement
Of the Mississippi river below Cairo, 3d.
100000, for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1885. The work at New Madrid will reach
$5,000,0O0, and the work at Memphis will
reach $6,750,00O. Of the appropriation for
improving the river by August 2, 1882,
balance on hand December /, 1882, 81 $685..
900. Amount expended to November,
1883, including outstanding liabilities, Is
estimated to January 1, 1884, at $2,lS7,.
730. Balance available and unpledged
January 1, 1884, but which will be re.
quired for the care of property, and the
maintenance Of the organization for the re-
mainder Of the fiscal year, 5000, ,28O. Bal
ance available for the appropriation for
New Orleans harbor, November /, 1888.
tl09,378. The members Of the commission
signing the report are Major G. r. Sutler, |
Henry Mitchell, B. M. Hsrrod, Robert 8.
Taylor sod 3. W. Ferguson.