The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1891-06-20

tending the navigation of the Missis-
slppi river are NOT TO be compared for
moment to those Of the great lakes.
Improve this river, subdue and civil
lie It, and it Will become so active
and vigorous competitor for the
business Of the Western States. that
with its giant strength, it would tear
down and destroy forever the monOp-
olistie system Of transportation extor-
lion which has SO long and remorse-
~ consumed your substance.
The geological theory of this river
Is, that where It breaks through spur
OF the Ozark mountains at Cape
GiraFdeau, there was once a waterfall
live hundred feet high, aud that there
was an estuary or arm of the sea ex-
lending to that place. The river has
gradually eneroaehed upon the sea,
aud by deposits of the sediment with
which 1t is ever laden, has built up
this great valley.
Like those of all sedimentary rivers
which TOW through beds of their own
creation, its channel is ever changing,
aud IN this constant shifting of its
channel, We find the cause which pro-
duces most of the troubles of naviga-
tion. If left to do as it pleases, with
It's frlable banks, its constant oscilla-
tions, its ever changing volume, there
VIII never be a fixed or permanent
channel, for it will seek out a new one
each season, adapting itself always to
The varying conditions created by The
influence suggested. The government
has taken the needs of the river into
consideration, and in 1879, after much
pleading and entreaty created the Mis-
sissippi River Commission, which is a
board of engineers, whose duty is to
devise means to effect its required re-
straint and betterment.
After much observation and con-
sideration, they have adopted plan,
which, though at one time severely as
sailed, now receives the endorsement
OF every engineer who has maturely
examined it, and, ! may say, of the
leading engineers of America.
1t contemplates, first, the deepening
of the shoal places; second, protection
to the banks from erosion, whereby
caving will cease; prevention of
escape Of the water over its banks in
times OF flood.
The first is accomplished by mar
rowing the river in shoal places TO a
proper width, by rows of piling inter-
woven with brush, so that though
permeable, they will sufficiently inn
pede the llow, to deprive it Of the
power to hold all OF its sediment in
suspension, and compel it to drop a
part OF it.
by this means an artificial bank is
gradually constructed, through the
agency Of the river itself, which con-
trols its direction, aud keeps it in a
fixed channel, whereby it necessarily
becomes deeper and deeper. The
second Is effected by covering the
banks, which have been previously
graded to suitable slope, with will
low mattresses held in place by rock,
whereby erosion from the current is
avoided. The third il accomplished
by throwing up earthen works, called
levees which in effect merely give
elevation TO the banks, and thereby
prevent the escape of the flood water.
| have for many years resided upon
the banks Of that great river. | adj
mire 1t, and it is needless to say
that 1t commands my profoundest
respect. Improperly approached it is
tractablc and amiable, but like some
people of your acquaintance and
mine, while you may coax and per-
suade, you cannot drive it. Its in
stincts are good, and 1t really wishes
to behave itself In the main it is
above criticism for throughout a very
large portion of its length, it deports
itself as decent and well ordered
river should. Like Longfellow's little
girl, when it is good, it's very good
but when it is bad, il Is horrid.
The effort of the commission is tc
avoid n direct conflict with 1t, and
gradually obtain control by cultivatinq
its natural tendencies. The river by
a little training here and there, l,
without its knowledge, compelled tC
abandon its evil ways aud tread tn,
paths Of righteousness. Wherever th,
methods OF the commission haye beer
applied, abundant success has beer
obtained. The Plum Point reach
lying about so miles above Memphis
is a striking monument TO the wisdom
of their plans.
Through the thirty-six miles of tha
reach the river was abnormally wide
and The great diffusion of the watel
made ii correspondingly shallow. 1
was filed up with towheads or baby
islands sticking their bald skulls above
the water, aud dividing the river into
many channels where there SHOULD
have been but one. These channel
were shifting and tortuous, and they
often had but four or five feet of water
The effect of this, of course, was Il
greatly embarrass commerce, and a
times to totally hinder navigation. b!
means of dikes the width has beer
narrowed, there is no longer a multi
plicity of channels. the depth has beer
largely increased, and the portion o
the river which was formerly an OBJ
iect of terror to navigators, has beel
so transformed thht they are now
clamoring for similar treatment ant
improvement of other dangerou
places.
Capt. Eads thought, aud think HI
thought correctly, that a depth o
fully twenty feet could be obtained
from Cairo to the Gulf.
OF the three features of the plan o
the commission, regard that whicl
contemplates the prevention of over
flows, by restraining the flood waters
through the agency of lpvees, as th'
most important.
The opinion is now generally enter
tanned that 1t is absolutely essentia
that the surplus waters should be con
fined aud compelled TO march OH a
double quick TO the sea.
If we would obtain the desired rec
tifieation of the river, we must max
the direction of the current the sam
In high as in low water. That is, th
securing process by which bars are t
be removed aud the channel deepeneC
and which can only go on by iixatio
of the direction of the flow, must nc
ho iuterrunted and unset during hip