The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-20
REPAIRS TO The WHARF.
THE MEMORIAL PREPARED AND
SENT TO WASHINGTON.
What the Gotten and Merchants Tx.
changes and City Authorities
Think Necessary.

The committees appointed by the
Cotton and Merchants Exchanges,
acting with the city authorities, have
completed the work OF formulating a
memorial to Congress on the subject
OF wharf improvement at Memphis,
and the document was forwarded TO
Washington last night. The memorial
Is copied in full below.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives
Of the Fsrty-nint Congress:
Your memorislists, the city of Mem.
phis, Tenn, and the Cotton and Mer-
chants Exchanges Of taid city, in
their corporate caps cities, aud repre-
senting the entire maritime commerce
OF the port Of Memphis, with its allied
interests, respectfully invite attention
to the following facts:
That for some years past the harbor
OF Memphis has been threatened with
the complete impairment Of it's useful
ness as an essential adjunct to the
navigation cf the Mississippi river and
the commerce OF this port.
That the necessity and public policy
OF aveIting this danger have been rec
oenized by Congress in the appropria-
tions already made for that purpose.
That the work heretofore done has
demonstrated, by the test of expert
ence, that its completion will be a
satisfactory solution Of the problem,
and will give this port permanent
wharf, with deep water adjacent to it..
That the portion OF the harbor front
now lacking protection extends from
Jefferson street TO Beale street, and
has been graded and paved by the city
at great expense. Near its upper end
and weakest part is the site OF the
United States Custom-House, just
completed, with the west wall OF its
Enclosure within 800 feet Of the high
water line.
That recent changes Of the river
have greatly increased the strain ou
this unprotected part, so that it is to.
day in greater danger than ever be-
fore.
That with our wharf made safe from
destruction, we still depend, for the
continuance OF deep water all along It,
upon the completion and msint ,nance
OF the work heretofore done at Hope
field Bend, above aud opposite the
city, which work is a part Of the sys
tematic improvement of the Memphis
reach.
That by caviug and sliding Of the
bluff, which has recently occurred, fol
a distance of 1000 feet below the enc
OF the city wharf at Beale street, some
of the most valuable manufacturing
sites OF our city are threatened witt
destruction.
We have heretofore felt it our duty
to formulate, in accordance with the
above iacte, the following resolutions
and for their early and favorable con'
sidel alton, and for the granting OF oul
several petitions your memoralisti
will ever pray.
WHEREAS, The necessity of preserv
iug the harbor of Memphis has beer
recognized by Congress in the appro
piis tons heretofore made and tht
work already done; aud wherta as, thi!
work remains in an unfinished condi
ton from lack of sufficient funds &c
carry it to completion, and for tina
reason the city of Memphis is still
threatened with the destruction OF 1T
harhor front a1d the interruption o
maritime commerce by the rsvages o
the Mississippi river; and where's
observation of the work previously
| done, as to its permanence, stability
and the beneficial effects already ap
parent, leaves no room for reasonable
doubt that it will, if completed al
recommended by the engineers, giv'
permauence and security to the harbo
front OF the city Of Memphis, ant
maintain along it an ample depth o
water; therefore be it
Resolved, AS the sense of the cor
poration, and the Cotton and Mer
chants Exchanges OF the city OF Mem
phis, that Congress be respectfully blu
most earnestly requested to favorabl!
consider the recommendations hereto
fore made by the engineers in chargI
for the completion OF the revetmen
along the harbor front OF Memphis
and in accordance vita the official es
Inmates now before them to appropri
ate $4,000 for that purpose. And b
il further
Resolved, That it is OF no less impor
lance to the preservation of the har
Dor Of Memphis that the work alresd.
inaugurated for the improvement o
Memphis reach be continued at leas
to the extent of completing and thor
oughly repairing the revetment il
Hopefield Bend, and in accordance
with the estimates furnished by tn
engineer in charge, it is earnestly rec
commended that a cum OF $4,000 b
ade available for this purpose, eithe
in the general appropriation for tn
river or in such other way as the judg
ment of Congress may dictate. Ant
be it finally.
RtsOlrcd, That the attention Of Con
gress is invited to the threatened de
struction Of valuable commercial prop
critics below the city wharf, and tina
they be requested 20 consider the pre-
priety of preventing such destruction
by providing for the continuation Q
the bank prote 1tion to a point 100
feet below the end of the wharf, at
cost OF $4,000. Respectfully sub
mitted.
DAVID p. MADDEN,
President Legislative Council,
W. j. CRAWFORD,
President Memphis Cotton Exchange,
W. j. CHASE,
President Memphis Merchants Exchange,
JOHN JOHNSON,
X. +. PATTERSON,
I. J. LATHAM,
JOHN s. T00F,