The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-20
L. THOMAS W. WHITE.
VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT FROM
THE LEvEE BOARD.
Is Reasons For Declining Third
Term-The Fine Results of the Levee
Work in the Yazoo Delta District
Parting Compliments.

III Col. T. w. White, OF fernando, Miss,
having voluntarily retired from the levee
board of the Yazoo delta district, after
baving most acceptably served as member
5snd president for two terms, an APPEAL
reporter, meeting him, Intercepted him
las to the reasons OF his action.
1--WE notice that you are no longer on
! the levee board OF the Yazoo delta dis
/ trict?"
Eyes, my second term as member OF the
\ levee board, and its president, expired
this month, and having made up my
mind that could not well continue on it
for another term, | wrote the Governor
and requested him not TO put me on the
board Tor a third term, and Mr.. John p.
Withers was appointed in my place" .
4 "What was your objectionto the placer"
"Well, ! cant say that there was any
1 objection to the place, but il was not ex-
actly in the line OF my profession. Still,
had paid good deal OF attention TO the
subject, and felt a great interest in the pro-
lection OF the Yazoo basin, having lived
near il and practiced law there for great
many years, besides having considerable
H INTERESTS there which would be benefited
the success OF the levee sys-
fm, and / was willing for time
% engage in the work. The leyees
bre now up along the entire front OF our
district, and in connection with the levee
of the lower district, secures the Yazoo
delta from the Tennessee line'to Vicks-
burg its entire front. They are high
: enough and strong enough TO withstand
F<tsods two feet higher than 1882, the high.
est water known. Such Is the opinion Of
Ppur engineers. At this time my private
'k affairs and my legal practice afford me all
Il the employment | am willing to under
II take"
"What is the present condition Of the
district and evces2'
quite satisfactory. When our board
organized in the spring of 1854 the district
was largely under water, us IL had been in
the two preceding. years. The old leyees
were caved off for miles. broken and
washed down in many places along the
entire line, and there Was great want OF
confidence in the future OF the delta
among the Inhabitants We sci to work TO
build our leyecs higher and broader than
had heretofore been done, our engineer
proposing and the board adopting agradc
three feet above the flood line OF 1852, in
conformity TO which our levees have been
constructed. Since that year there has
been no injury from water, except some
! inconsideulblc breaks in the old leycc in
lSS6, when our work was only partly done.
The means for this work WAS raised by
the sale OF 5000, 600 OF bonds and taxes on
the property of the district and Sl00,000
allotted 10 III by the Mississippi river com.
mission. The result is restoration OF
confidence in the future Of the district and
the lcycc system; the recultivation OF the
abandoned plantations; great improvement
and much clearing of wild land; heavy
immigration. followed by large increase in
the amount OF personal property, and en-
hanceinenl in the value OF the lands"
"Do You consider the leyees Of the dis
trict conploiedY'
''ii one sense. yes. But levces ART
never completed, for they will always re
quire constant watching and continual re
k,pairs. They ans now able To withstand, IA
have said, floods greater than 1882; but
rs the banks arr always caving NJ one poin
oor other, there will always be places whcr'
work is 10 be done, and sometimes new
stretches OF lcyce 10 be built. We hav,
such place in the lower portion OF on
district now, where the river shows
disposition TO take off part Of levec hull
by the lower district, In Coahoma county
before our organization, but now belong
ing 10 Us. The engineers report this poin
too precariOus 10 risk longer than thi
year. The Mississippi river commission
has allotted ms funds sufficient TO construc
hail the new line, and our district will ar
range funds for the balance needed. Thu
work will be done during the next sum
mer and fall. will add that the finance
OF our district are in excellent condition
and It's resources ample. The incom
from taxes Is sufficient 10 pay tn
annual fixed charges, including pay Q
officers and interest on bonds, 10 make an
and all repairs, and TO provide q sinkin
fund 10 call in and discharge all our bond
Before they TALL due. The board Is com
posed Of intelligent, earnest and public
spirited property holders in the district
The engineer, secretary and treasurer ar
the same as heretofore. Col. stovall, Oh
president OF the board, has been men
Der since It's organization, is q fine bushes
xnou and will I an. anra mala an exce