Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-29
LEVEES OR OUTLETS.
The Senate Discusses Their Respec-
tive Merits at Some Length.
A MAJORITY FAVORS THE FORMER
Increase of the Bullion Products of the
Country Reviewed.
HEAVY SILVER EXPORTS TO JAPAN

WASHINGTON, April 2S.-In the Senate
TODAY during a discussion of the best
method of preserving property along the
Mississippi, Mr.. Harris said he had believed
in the levee system, but that the events oil
the last two months had greatly shaken his
confidence in it; and he suggested the ap-
pointment of q commission OF scientists, to
be charged with the duty of thorough in
vestigation of the subject in the light of the
experience of the whole planet.
Mr.. Eustis thought it very inopportune
moment to discuss the question. In the first
place, it had come up unexpectedly, and in
the next place, he did not think that any
Senator had the requisite information on the
subject. Steamboat captains who ought to
know about the river, were unanimously
in favor of the levee system.
FAITH IN THE OLD SYSTEM.
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 pro-
lection of their property; but he also be-
lieved that the outlet system had been un-
dervalued, and he thought that Congress
should finally settle down on combining the
two systems.
Mr.. WalthalI said that as far as he knew
or believed the people along the river (every
man of them) had absolute faith in the levee
system, and were generally, if not uni
versally, opposed to the outlet system. He
had not the shadow of q doubt that if the
outlet system was adopted itwould not be
long before the Mississippi river would be-
come absolutely useless for the purpose OF
navigation.
Mr.. Vest asked him what would be the
effect OF the lake bordering the 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 it had shoaled
few years ago below the Bonnet Carre ere
vase and the Belle crevasse, and that the
whole theory of the Eads system would be
defeated.
Mr.. Washhurn inquired whether at Chat
alaya outlet had that resulted.
CLINCHING ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Gibson, in reply to Mr.. Washburn,
said that in spite Of the great Atchafalaya
outlet (Which carried off one-iourth of the
water OF the Misslssippi), the river was
higher now than it ever had been.
After further discussion the Vice Presi-
dent said that there was no question before
the Senate, and the business of the morn
ing hour was proceeded with.
Mr.. Blackburn introduced bill for the
admission o; the State OF Arizona; referred.
The land forfeiture bill was then taken up,
the pending question being Mr.. Calls
amendment in relation to railroad lands in
Florida.
Mr.. Pasco argued in favor of the amend
ment and stated the grounds why he dis
agreed with his colleague in the matter. The
bill went over without action, Mr.. Plumb
giving notice that be would ask the Senate
to sit it out tomorrow.
On motion of Mr.. Evarts the Senate bill
to incorporate the Society OF the Sons of the
American Revolution (reported by him), was
taken from the calendar and read.
MIR. Plumb made some satirical remarks
about efforts to encourage the patriotism
that was Living around loose in the coun-
trv," and moved to amend the bill by pro-
viding the privileges con erred in the bill
should be extended to the Grand Army of
the Republic. As there was no quorum
voting on the amendment (the vote being
II to 14), the Senate, without action on the
bill, adjourned.