The Osceola times., 1886-10-23
$3Sl,979

Hc ltibdiiiu'i, TiD,V-i, VIII Dt
expended on levees of this district,
opposite to and in connection with
the Lake Providence work.
OF the specific appropriations we
speak with regret, knowing that the
commissions determination of that
set apart for Greenville will cause
great disappointment. 1t was recon-
mended that the sum be not expen-
ded, for two reasons. The first, the
want of the "plant" with which to
do the work. 1t was contemplated
that this could be borrowed from the
Lake Providence work. But owing
to the failure Of the previous Con
gress to make an appropriation, this
had become much damaged from dis
use, 1t will take two months for its
repair, and then it will all be requir-
ed at Lake Providence until high
water, the end of the working sea
son. And then the commission did
not believe that the amount available,
s37 800, could be safely expended
in accomplishing what it had asked
1856 900 for.
While deploring this overthrow of
a hope which we have for years
wrought to make reality, it is not
our custom to indulge in repining.
And while regretting this adverse
decision, we cannot, in fairness, con-
demn the commission.
This appropriation of 1878 re-
mains to this purpose; and we must
strive to have it supplemented in the
coming Congress by su,n sufficient
to command the confidence OF the
commission.
Similar recommendations were
made in the case of the appropria-
tions for Columbus and Hickman,
Ky. The Vicksburg appropriation
was contingent; and half of it, $37,-
500, will probably be expended on
Delta Point; the remainder will not
be applied.
The Memphis apr ropriation would
have Jared similarly, but that its citi-
zens have added to the $56,250 ap-
propriated sufficient amount to ef-
feet complete work.
The specific allotments for New
Orleans and the Atchatalya will be
expended. In the latter case a be-
ginning of the closure, in accordance
with the plans of the commission,
will be made,
The levee expenditure, 100000,
in connection with the Plum Point
works, is designed as the beginning
of the closure of the sunken lands
outflow. This proposes to effect a
correction OF the greatest OF all dis
turbers of the lower river regimen ;
and potent and most hurtful factor
in our Yazoo Delta levee problem.
The liberal allotment to the upper
Yazoo Delta district is most crafty
ing. With that sum and the funds IN
hand, aud the current revenues of
that district, the levees of the upper
Yazoo front will be placed quite on
footing with those Of the lower.
This will place the young distric:
fairly on ils feet, and open up the
possibilities to be achieved through
a perfect levee line from the Desoto
Hills on the Yazoo river, which have
been so often depicted. For this sub
stantial recognition, the people of
the Delta are greatly indebted to
President White and Engineer Dab
ney, mainly through whose able and
earnest efforts the 100000 was Sc
cured.
Our own districts share in this al
lotment was meagrs. Indeed, with
the condition of our levees we ex-
pected no more. And the liberal
allotment to the upper district should
quite prevent disappointment.
While our Arkansas neighbors are
considerably chagrined that a larger
sum was not allotted to them, we