Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-11-13
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
A Campaign Which Should Enlist
Deep Interest From All, Directly
or Indirectly, Interested.

at TUSCALOOSA, ITOm Jne
same source it is also learned that the
object of this Convention is to petition
Congress to donate money to improve
the navigation of the main water
courses of Alabama, so as to give cheap
transportation from the iron regions
aud coal fields of North Alabama to
the Gulf of Mexico; including a design
of improving the harbor and inlet
thereto of Mobile and Mobile bay.
Editorially the Times-D Democrat very
pithily commends this movement, and
good humoredly tells these Alabamians
and Georgians:
sin pressing a measure of this kind,
of such vital and immediate benefit
and Importance, Alabama and Georgia
can count upon the support of the
Representatives of the Mississippi
Valley. Although some Of the Con-
gressmen from these States are among
the most determined opponents and
enemies of any measure to secure aid
for the improvement of the Father
of Waters" which carries upon its
bosom the commerce, not Of two or
three but over twenty States and Ter
ritOrles."
These facts of the Tines Democrat
are exactly adapted to this case and
pleasantly put forth.
Alabama now sees the necessity
for a cheap transportation to the
sea board for her iron and coal, and
very wisely moves for a convention to
petition the Government to aid her.
No more it is hoped will some of her
Representatives. have occasion to say
to other distressed petitioners suing
before the general Government for
such aid, that it would be as equita.
BILE and just for the Government to
donate money to purchase fertilizers
for the the poor lands of Alabama and
Georgia, as to secure the fertile lands
of the Mississippi delta, from overflow,
through Government aid of improve
ment appropriations" We see, not
only is necessity the mother of inven-
tion, but often it puts quite a diff
ferent tellow-feeling in the bosum of
humanity.
Alabama is all right now, she
wants transportation commodities for
the iron and coal, cheap to the sea-
board. We say All Hail, Alabama!
("Here we rest.")
The approaching session Of Con-
gress; the Presidents message; and in
what manner the Chief Executive will
comply with the promises made in the
Democratic National platform Of
principles, are questions of grave So
licitude to at least one half the active
population of this country to-day.
BY the sanguine. it is hoped that
Mr.. Cleveland fully recognizes the in
terests of the great valley, which
valley, Of its numerical power and
wealth could influence without opDOsi-
tioD, a resolution incorporated in the
great national platform of principles
concerning this vital and i'm
portant interest, "that the de-
mocracy of this nation, takes under
its fostering care. the improvement of
the navigation of the Mississippi
river"
A very pertinent and practical ques-
tion now is: DO the inhabitants OF the
Mississippi Valley really desire that
the promise herein made shall be car
ried out in good faith? No doubt of
this fact. Then what is wise, what is
necessary to this end that the attention
of the Executive, and following, the
representatives in Congress, shall be
directed to this matter and its cOnsum-
nation? The press must and should
enter upon a vigorous campaign and
never furl their banner until victory
perches upon their standard.
When the press, uaitedly, Of this
Valley, make aquestion of this interest
second to none other, then we may ex-
pect an appropriation fully sufficient to
carry out the designs Of those persons
who so wisely and statesmanlike in
corporated these principles into the
Democracy Of this nation.
The demoralizing effects'of differing
theorists as to the "best plan" Of ac-
complishing this great work, should
not for a moment be tolerated or suf-
fered to I'M ure the prospects of an in.
terest so pre-eminently vital. Surely
a government of the character Of this
is able to maintain and put In charge
of this work engineering skill and
ability sufficient to effectually meet all
requirements.
One day necessity will force the rec
lamation Of this Valley from overflow.
Such a climate, such timber forests,
such transportation facilities, such soil,
capable Of such varied productions in
the richest abundance must eventually
be Of such tempting character as to
induce man to put forth his hand and
reclaim and develop the Mlssis-
sippi Valley.
There is undoubtedly to the mind of
the philanthoplst much greater impor-
lance attached to this matter than the
election of a score of Governors, or
Congressman, and yet, the same
energy and thought manifested in the
election of a fayorite candidate, if APP
piled with the same zeal in securing
government aid for the improvement
Of the "Father of Waters" would it is
thought reach this greatly to be