National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-29
The River Commission and James Ii.
Eads W.. Capt. John Cowdon.


In the lower Mississippi river we have
this problem to solve: At flood tide In the
upper river at Cairo there is volume OF
water OF the enormous flow of 1,475,000
cubic feet per second, while the discharge
from the mouth Of the river is but l,l00, 900
cubic feet per second, leaving the amount
Of $4,000 cubic feet per second to burst
levees and destroy the lower country. We
quote the statement made by Admiral
David ID. Porter in 1884. Since that time
the inflow has been greater and the outflow
less.
The problem is this, and will press IT.
self upon the attention OF the people and
Congress
"There is during the high water period
more, and great deal more water flowing
into the lower Mississippi than can flow out
of it at the natural outlets" slow shall
this surplus water be got rid Off"
Capt. Eads and the river commission say:
"Shut up all outlets, and force the water
out at the MOUTH And Eads has already
contracted the mouth to about one.half of
Its former capacity, and has accomplished
that wonderful feat OF modern engineering,
causing river flood to commence at its
mouth and travel up stream.
The plan OF trying to make small open
Ing discharge as much water as Is let into
a river by larger one has resulted ne COM
mon sense would have anticipated. The
small hole won't do 1t, can't do 1t, so tho
levees break. the country is drowned out,
millions Of dollars worth of crops, stock,
and other property destroyed every year,
besides sickness and loss Of life occasioned
by the stagnant waters resulting from the
overflow.
But then 1t makes fat jobs for greedy
contractors. and soft places for an army Of
engineers, surveyors, and SO forth, aud a
good many of the "and so forth"
Capt. Cowdon, an old river man, who has
spent nearly half century in closely and
wisely observing the lower Mississippi, and
studying Its peculiar dynamics, assisted by
g. w. Quintard and others, men OF ample
let at point where 1t will do the most
good, then you will have no more over
nows-and more, you will have better
channel In the river for navigation And
these men have 80 much faith In their
solution that they ask Congress TO give
them permission to test 1t, and ut their own
expense. Then IL they accomplish 1t, to
the satisfaction Of the government, to pay
them lessi than one-tenth OF the amount
which Eads and the commission estimate It
would cost TO perfect their nonsensical
projects.
Congress has had the good sense TO lay
aside, as to the Mississippi and Missouri
rivers, that useless and costly luxury, the
river and harbor commission. Why they
have not taken the sensible step, and passed
the bill for the Lake Borgne outlet and per-
mitted Capt. Cowdon and his patriotic asso-
ciates to 90 on and make their experiment,
is one of those things no fellow can find out,
We trust that they Will get the bill before
them, and pass it. 1t needs no more dis
cussion, the very clauses Of the bill is the
very best discussion which could be had.
Guard, absolutely, the government from
any liability until the work has been done,
and the effects promised produced then
when the flood has been lowered, the lower
country relieved, they will be justly enti-
tied, not only to their reward, but win re-
ceiye the thanks Of the people,