Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-28
FROM THE CAPITOL.
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER PROBLEMS.
Relative Merits of the Levee and Outlet
Systems Discussed in the Senate.
DISTRICT DAY IN TIE HOUSE.
SENATE.


memorial i'll relation to the Mississippi river
discussion sprung up and was participated in
by many Senators, the point turning on the
question whether the jetty system or the outlet
system was the correct one, or whether there
should not be combination of the two.
Mr.. Vest gave it as his opinion that the two
systems could not stand together and that Con-
gress should adopt the one system or the
other
Mr.. Frye, chairman of the committee on
commerce; spoke OF hearing which that COM
mlttee had given last Thursday to the friends
OF the outlet system and said that it had left
his mind in greater confusion than ever.
THE FRIENDS OF THE OUTLET SYSTEM
had taken the ground, very strongly, that the
levee system had raised the bed of the river
and was continually raising it, and that the
outlet system was the only way to relive the
river. He had not now the remotest idea what
ought 10 be done on the subject
MIR. Reagan said that he had given the sub
Ject great attention when a member of the
committee OIL commerce i'll the House. His in
vestlgatlons had convinced him that the leyee
system was a failure; as it had proved to be on
the Yellow river of China, where the bed of
the river had been raised, and devastating
overflows had taken place. causing the loss Of
millions of lives. 1t seemed to him that
fifty years ago for an outlet system was the
true kind of relief for overfows of the Mis-
sissippi.
Mr.. Berry said that every engineer Except
one perhaps) who had had anything to do with
the river had reported that the levee system
was the only true system. Ninety-nine
out of every hundred men who
were familiar with the river we're in favor of
the levee system and opposed to the outlet
system.
Mr.. Washburn spoke of the deep interest
which he had felt in the subject and of the
thorough examination which he had given it as
member of the House committee on COM
merce, and said that the conclusion which he
had reached had been that the levee system
was the true one. but he was frank to say that
he was today in doubt on the subject.
The results that had been anticipated from
the levee system had certainly not been real
lied. In view of the uncertainty as to the
true system and of the difference of opinion
among wise men it seemed to him that it would
be unwlse for Congress to proceed further until
1t knew more about it
PROPOSED COMMISSION OF SCIENTISTS
Mr. Harris said he had believed in the levee
system, but that the events of the last two
months had greatly shaken his confidence in it,
and he suggested the appointment of a COM
mission OF scientists to be charged with the
duty OF a thor 1ugh investigation of the sub
planet.
Mr. Paddock spoke of the hearings given in
the last Congress by the committee on the i'm
provement Of the Mississippi river and said
that they had developed the fact that all the
engineers who had any relations to the ATssis-
slppl River Commission, and every practical
man familiar with the river believed in the
levee system. Congress had adjourned before
the hearings were concluded: and he suggested
that they should be continued
:IMr. Eustis thougt 1t a very inopportune mo-
ment to discuss the question. In the first place
1t had come up unexpectedly; and in the next
place. he did not think that any Senator had
the requisite information OH the subject
Steamboat captains who ought to know good
deal about the river were unanimously in favor
OF the levee system as against the outlet sys-
tenn.
THE LEvEE SYSTEM COME TO STAY.
Mr.. Hawley said that the levee system would
never be got rid of because Congress had no
constitutional power to prevent planters from
building levees for the protection of their
property, but he also believed that the outlet
system had been undervaItled and he thought
'""' ",qgress should finally settle down on
oombinin the two systems.
,.i!thall said that, as far as knew or be-
lieved, the people along the river (every man
OF them had absolute faith in the levee system
and were generally, if not universally, opposed
to the outlet system. He had not the
shadow OF doubt that If the outlet system was
adopted, it would not be long before the
Mississippi river would become absolutely use
less for the purpose of navigation.
Mr.. Vest asked him what would be the effect
of the Lake Borgne outlet on the Mississippi
jetties.
Mr.. Walthall replied that there was no
doubt that the river below the Lake Borgne
outlet would shoal just as il had shoaled a few
years ago below the Bonnet Care Crevasse
and the Belle Crevasse; and that the whole
theory of the Eads system would be defeated
HO1TSE