The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-18
THE LEvEE BOARD.
The Action of the July Meeting-The
Present Status OF Affairs.

The Action OF the July Meeting-The
Present Status OF Affairs.
The Greenville Miss Times makes the
following comments upon the action OF the
levee board at its July meeting
1.-THE tax was levied as rated at present;
and will yield as estimated by the exc
cutive committee nearly 100000. OF
this amount $4,000 will be required in
payment OF the 10 per cent. bonds OF the
1882 issue, maturing this year. This will
leave about $780, 900 for construction and
repair purposes, less current expense ac-
count and accruing interest on unmatured
bonds. After payment Of the $4,000
bonds maturing in 1883, there will remain
of the unmatured 1882 bonds, 10000;
100000 to be provided for out OF the 1889
and 500, 900 out OF the 1890 revenues.
"The chief engineers report amply
shows the superatiye importance OF
continuing the levee construction on
the broad and vigorous scale of the
past year. But with the liquidation of
the 10 per cent. bonds, necesstated by
the 1882 disasters, and which true
economy and wise forethought forbid
postponcment or extension in time of;
and the enlargement OF the levees OF the
Washington and Issaquena fronts on the
same scale as those of Bolivar, and with
out material disaster. a breathing spell
will surely be afforded. There will still
remain the o per cent. bonds, $3.50, 600;
only the interest OF which will have to be
provided for until their maturity, thirty
70 l..
sary to remind our readers, were neces-
stated in enlargement OF the levees Of the
district, anticipatory OF the effect of the
rebuilding OF the levees OF the Tensas
front, opposite us. This necessity and its
speculative nature are discussed fully and
clearly in the chief engineers report. The
data from which he adduces his conclu-
sions on this subject is valuable and inter
esting.
"rhe work Of this season is on recon-
incubation OF the chief engineer withheld
from advertisement TO contractors for the
present. Before its determination the
claims OF the district will be presented to
the river commission, and the aid OF that
organization asked TO whatever extent its
means and plans will admit. Owing to
the urgent demands OF the Arkansas exas
front, and the possible initiation OF the
levec system OF the st. Francis basin, we
are not oyer-sanguine OF any munifcent
compliance OF requests from the Missis-
sippi districts. Still, unless the st. Fran
els work is undertaken, and II Congress
restores the bulk appropriation OF the
river commission TO the amount fixed by
the House committee, some aid TO tho
leyees Of this district would be simple jus.
tice and will probably he allotted.
"Upon careful consideration the board
decided against any change in the collect.
ing process Of the cotton tax. The reasons
for this decision are stated in the proceed.
ings OF the board, and we can but concedc
their force. Though in cases, and there
are not many, OF notorious oyerweights,
we think an extra tax per bale could be
collected without much added cost.
GAS suggested in the last and preyiou,
issues OF the Times, the rate OF fees OF the
cotton tax collector were investigated, and
reduced from 90 cents per bale. Thi,
will reduce cost Of collection on q 1901
bale crop from g, 500 TO $1,000 Deduct
ing the cost Of deputy collectors and othei
necessary expenses, this will leave a net
salary 60 the collector Of about -, 500. The
board considered that in view OF the re-
p sponsibiity and risk OF losses this was moi
excessive. II is the lowest rate at which
the collection has ever been fixed. UpoT
the completion OF the BOLIVAR loop" IL
another year. the reduction Of another
cent can probably be made.
eve would respectfully call attention
Of Circuit Judge Wynn 10 his duties il
the appointment Of commissioners &
assess lcycc damages" for the four yeau
ensuing July 9th prox. Vide section thfe'
amendatory act, approved March -, 1884
"Thc hitch in the election or appoint
ment Of cotton tax collector will cause n,
confusion or interruption In the function
OF that official, whose term Is not iixc,
and only ceases ne the will Of the board
still the failure 10 appoint, attended by M
nspcritics and growing entirely out Of per
s0nal preferences. Is 10 be- regretted. Sucl
have occurred before and eyince an undu
weight and influence upon the board O
commissioners, in the appointment O
il salaricd executive officers This no
only extends 10 and affects the choice O
lcvcc commissioners, but members OF th
board OF supervisors rs well, who choos
the commissioners. II isa defect Of th
lcvcc official system which has been mucl
considered and discussed; but for whicl
no better substitute has ever been sug
gcstcd. Perhaps the defect is 10 he classe
among those incident 10, aud inherent In
all forms and provisions Of popular gov
efnmpntH