The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-23
The Levee Interest Special Message
of the Governor.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.
Executive DEPARTMESr,
JACKSON, Jan. 18th. 1884
the House of Representatives

Executive DEpARTNEST,
JACKSON, Jan. 18th, 1884. J
To the House of Representatives
GENTLEMEN On the oath day of May
last, convention of delegates from por-
ton of the counties of the Yazoo Delta
was held in the city of Jackson and APP
pointed a committee, consisting of the
Hons. j. H. George and ]. B. Perkins, to
draft "Levee Bill with instructions tc
submit the same, when completed, to my
self, and with the request that l would sub
nit it to the present Legislature when il
assembled. one of that committee, the
Hon j. B. Perkins, has Forwarded to me
the bill herewith transmitted to you, will
the statement that he has had no consulta
ton with his colleague, the Hon. j. Z
George, bat that he has prepared this bill
at the earnest solicitation of citizens OF
Tunica and Coahoma counties. 1t woulC
be reversing the proper and ordinary
course of legislation for me to say, at this
time, whether l approve or disapprove the
bill, and consequently have made but a
partial examination of its provisions.
simply transmit it to you in accordance
with the request of the committee for such
action as you may deem proper. The gen
SIdI pun pOc6 VI tie Jill 10 ~ ScGutG Il lCNSS
organization by means of which the people
of this portion of the Yazoo Delta, at
present unprotected, will be protected
from overflow from the Mississippi river
With this purpose I am most heartily in
accord. The means by which it can best
be attained is matter for your earnest
and calm deliberation. That section of
our State contains millions of acres of the
far41Ia i4Y,r lands in, AZ
world, only awaiting certain protection
from overflow, for development into a sur
prising production of cotton and grain.
Its people have suffered sorely in loss of
crops and property from the great over
dows of 1882 1888.
During the food of the former year both
The State and National treasures were
taxed to keep many of them from actual
starvation. Similar disasters were liable
to recur every year, producing renewed calls
upon the State Treasury in the interest of
humanity, and reducing one of the largest
producing and heaviest tax-paying sections
of our State to condition of rain and
insolvency.
The question, therefore, of providing for
that people, at least an efficient organiza-
ton through which they can protect theIa-
selves is one OF deep concern. not only to
the inhabitants of the Delta, but to the
State ct large. Such assistance as the
State can re ssonable give should be cheer
fully extended, if for no other reason, be-
cause it is to the interest of the State to do
so. One portion of the Delta, known as
the Mississippi IIevee District, constituted
of the counties of Bolivar, Washington,
Issaquena and Sharkey, has, for years past,
under legislative organization, with une-
qualed fortitude, great skill, and inteli-
gence, and heavy expenditure of its own
means, perfected good system of. levees,
to large degree, profession from
overflow.
1 understand. that today its line of
levees, over two hundred miles in length, is
the best on the Mississippi river. through
its intelligent organized effort, it received
last year four hundred thousand dollars of
the appropriation made by the National
Government to be expended Oh its levees !
Notwithstanding its large outlay of
money, and burdensome taxation. the credit !
Of its Levee Board is above par. It's pop
llation and production have steadily in |
creased, and it constitutes in proportion, to !
area, one of the largest tax paying sections |
Of the State. l am informed that several |
measures connected with this subject will |
De submitted for your consideration. The
method proposed in the bin herewith trans
nitted-a consolidation of the entire Delta
nto one district, and perhaps others-I
tate frankly that my limited acquaintance
With the subject does not justify the recon-
of any particular method or
MEASURE, but the necessity of thorough
nd efficient levee organization is apparent
o the citizens of both the riparian and
ack counties, and l desire to emphasize
he fact, that any proper legislation on the
ubiect will receive my hearty cooperation
nd approval, Robert Lowry