The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-01
FIFTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
SENATE,


WASHINGTON April 2S.--In connection with
the presentation of the memorial in rela-
ton to the Mississippi river, discussion
sprung up aid was participatedin by many
senator's, the point turning on the question
whether the levee system or the outlet sys-
TEN was the correct one or whether there
should not be a combination of the two.
Senator Vest gave it as his opinion that
the two systems could not stand to-
gether, and that congress should
adopt the one system or the other.
| There was no subject more imperative in
its demands on congress and none that
was in such uncertain, unsatisfactory and
nebulous condition.
Senator Reagan said he had given the
| subject great attention when member of
the committee on commerce in the house.
| that the levee system was a failure
as it had proved to be in the
Yellow river of China, where the
| bed of the river had been raised and devast-
| ating overfiows ofthe river had taken place,
causing loss of millions of lives. 1t seemed
| to him that the plan laid down by Col.
Ellet fifty years ago for an outlet system
was the true kind of relief for overfows of
| the Mississippi.
Senator Berry of Alabama said every en-
gineer except one, perhaps, who had any
| thing to do with the river, had reported the
levee system was the only true system.
Ninety-nine out of every hundred men
who were familiar with the river were in
| favor of the levee system and opposed to
| the outlet system.
| Senator Washburn spoke of the deep
interest he felt in the subject, and the
| thorough examination he had given 1t as a
member of the house committee on COM
merce, and said in conclusion that he had
| reached the conclusion that the levee sys-
| tenn was the true one, but was frank to say
he was today in doubt upon the subject.
Senator Harris of Tennessee said he had
believed in the levee system, but that the
| events of the last two months had greatly
shaken his confidence in it.
Senator Eustis of Louisiana said steam
| boat captains, who ought to know a good
deal about the river, were unanimously in
| favor of the levee system as against the
outlet system.
Senator Walthall of Mississippi said as
far as he knew he believed the people along
the river (every man of them) had absolute
faith in the levee system. He had not the
shadow of "a doubt that if the outlet system
were adopted it would not be long before
the Mississippi would become absolutely
useless for the purpose of navigation.
Senator Vest of Missouri asked him what
would be the effect of the Lake Borgne out.
let on the Mississippi jetties.
Senator Walthall replied there was NO
doubt that the river below Lake Borgne
outlet would shoal just as it had shoaled a
few years ago below Bonnet Carre crevasse
and Belle crevasse, and that the whole
theory of the Eads system would be de-
feated.
Senator Washburne inquired whether the
Atchafalaya outlet had that result.
Senator Gibson in reply said in spite OF
the great Atchafalya outlet which carried
off one-fourth of the water of the Missis-
sippi, the river was higher now than it had
ever been.
After further discussion the vice-presi-
dent said there was no question before the
senate and the business of the morning
hour was proceeded with.
Senator Blackburn introduced bill for
admission of the State of Arizona. Re-
ferred.
On motion OF Senator Evarts the senate
bill to incorporate the society of the Sons
of the American Revolution (reported by
him from the library committee) was taken
from the calendar and read.
| Senator Plumb moved to amend the bill
to provide that the privileges conferred in
the bill should be extended to the Grand
Army of the Republic. t
No quorum voting on the bill, the senate
without action on the bill, adjourned.
i HOUSE.
The speaker laid before the house q
message from the president returning with.
out his approval the bill to give authority
to Ogden. Utah, to increase its indebted
ness. Referred to the committee or
territories.
The legislative, executive and judicial ap
preparation bill passed without division.
The house then went into committee o.
the whole on bills relating to the District
of Columbia.
The pending bill was that tor the estab-
lishment of Rock Creek park. After discus
sion the bill was laid aside with favorable
recommendation. The committee theI
rose and the Rock Creek park bill was de-
feated-yeas rs, nays 88.
Adjourned.