The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1890-05-31

also.
The correctness of this proposition
is very emphatieally affirmed by Mr..
Frank Gaienne, president of the St.
Louis Merchants Exchange, who said
"The improvement of the Mississippi
and the consequent increase of trade
to the seaboard by the reduction of
rates by the river route, compelled
the trunk lines to meet the river rate.
The value of this reduced rate to
the farmers in wheat alone, from 1881
to 1885, taking the route to New York
and New Orleans, was on the average
of cents per bushel.
At the estimate of the Agricultural
Department for 1885, which was Sl7,-
10000 bushels, saving of cents ON
that amount of grain, means S2l, 1885,
720 more money in the hands of the
farmers, to say nothing of the benefits
to all other kinds of business
That the agricultural industries of
the Western States are in depressed
and unsatisfactory condition is fact
so patent that all eoncede it. Quacks,
demagogues, political charlatans, and
dreamers of dreams have pushed to
the front with theories and so-called
panaceas innnmerable for the removal
and prevention of this industrial dis
tress; and many sensible and we'll
meaning men in sheer desperation
have given sanction in greater or less
degree to some of these vagaries
which are pressed upon us for legisla-
tive adoption.
No doubt, wise, just, and equita-
BILE revision and adjustment of the
tariff, whereby the necessaries Of life
would be cheapened, coupled with the
enlargement of the currency by free
coinage of silver, so that It shall be
commensurate with the growth of the
population and business of the coun-
try, would greatly tighten the burdens
Oft the Western farmer; and it may be
that still other Legislative steps might
be taken which would lessen his toll
and possibly augment his gains.
But the disease which is gnawing
at his vitals and sapping his strength
can only be modified by general sani-
tary measures such as these: to eradi-
cate it and restore him to strength and
vigor and health, more heroic treat
mcnt is required. Competition with
foreign grain and consequent lower
ing Of prices have done more to bring
the Western farmer to his present dis
tressed condition than all other causes
combined. The value of the grain
which he sells abroad is the standard
by which he sells in the home market,
for the price of his surplus fixes the
price of his whole crop.
The price of grain has gone down
just in proportion as the quantity of
grain from the Baltic, the Indies, and
from Russia has increased. When
that was small, the American farmer
was master of the situation, and re-
ceived good prices, but within the
past few years 1t has increased enor-
mously. Vast sums are being annual
ly expended In the construction of
railways and canals in order that these
countries may have easier and cheaper
access to European markets, aud 1t is
certain, therefore, that the Ameecan
grain-grower will meet still kcener
and fiercer competition as the years
go by.
Enough has been said to show to
what an extent this river is q factor in
solving the problem of transportation
which is the most perplexing which
confronts the people of the West, and
that to them it is of far greater conse'
quence than to the comparatively small
population of the lower valley.
therefore trust that the Represen
tatives of those people will investigate
this question, participate in its discus
sion, interest themselves in its solution
and unite with us IN lifting it from the
circumscribed place in public estima
tion to which it has been heretofore
unfortunately confined, aud putting il
upon broad and lofty plane, commen
surate with Its national character ant
magnitude.
The questions with which Mr.. Catch
ings was piled, from members honcstl,
seeking information, proved how close
| ly he was followed in his speech. Th'
portion quoted was followed by an ox
planation of the work, its extent ant
nature, of river control; which fol
simplicity and clearncss would hav,
done credit to the highest en-
gineering authority in the land
IL proves that Mr.. Catchings IL
thoroughly realizing and entering
upon the service in which the dis
trict has engaged him, has contentet
himself with no superficial or incom
plete study of its vast and varied quail
ity, its exaeting and perplexing needs
OF this fact the dullest reader ma,
judge by the following extract demol
ishing the outlet heresy.
The Nita crevassc, which occurred
during the present flood, carried of
over 100000 cubic feet of water pei
second, fonr-fifths as much as it is pro
posed by the Cowden Company 10 turn
into Lake Borgne and near one-thirt
of the whole river volume, ye
f the effect of this outflow was to lowe
the river but foot at New Orleans, 81
miles below, and was not appreciabl,
at Plaquemime, 40 miles above.
This was undoubtedly because th,
current was so retarded by thi
, crevasse that the water was not 81
rapidly moved along, and was, in
manner, banked up or piled up SO tha
even a few miles above there was II,
lowering of the flood height whatever
we have a striking exemplifcatiol
] of the old adage that "it is an i'll wint
that blows no good" fol while thi
| Nita crevasse by its enormous dis
r charge worked terrible ruin and havo
f upon large area of the valley, 1t is al
, absolutely unanswerable demonstra
tion of the absurdity of the claims pro
! pounded by the advocates of the LAX,
Borgne outlet.
/. r..