Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-02
RIVERS BANK FULL
Is the Report From the Lower Mis-
sissippi and Its Tributaries.
FEARS OF A DISASTROUS FLOOD.
The Senate Strongly Urged to Pass tae
House Emergency Bill.
RELIEF NEEDED TO AVERT A CALAMITY

NEW ORLEANS, March 1.-Concerning
feeling produced along the lower Mississippi
by the continued rising of the water the fol-
lowing Information has been received:
Colonel E. E. Wright. editor Of the Vicks-
burg Commercial: The high stage of water
from Cairo to the Gulf creates uneasiness
through this section. Another rise in the
Ohio, aud accompanied with one from
the Arkansas, would put the levees to
severe strain, and especially the
new work just completed or in process Of
completion. The local levee boards e1-
pended last spring large sums of money to
protect the levee, and last fall in repairing
breaks in them caused by the overflow Of
last year. The people in this section earn
estly hope ..that the s., ,000,0 600 emergency
bill passed by the House and now pending
in the Senate will be passed before Congress
adjourns SO as to make this sum available
in case of need, as the local levee boards
are not as strong financially as they were
last spring,
A Very Critical Situation.
A telegram from Captain Lambert, for
many years editor of the Natchez Democrat,
says: The situation Of the river matters
along the Lower Mississippi just now is quite
critical. While the water IN sight does not ap-
pear to be sufficient to cause flood height at
tanning that of last year. yet the indications
now are for rains through a considerable
portion of the valley, and if they should occur
1t is probable that the floods of last year
would be eQualled the present season. Many
of the tributaries of the Lower Mississippi are
now bank full, and even ordinary rains affect
them.
All tho watar that ,bax noDr into tho river
increases the danger to that extent, and there
is no telling what the final results will be. The
leveeS are not really in SO good condition as
they were at this time last year, and there is
constant fear of their giving way under the
pressure at many points along the line. There
is every reason now why Congress should come
to the relief of the people OF the mississippi
Valley and make prompt and liberal appro-
prations for the levees. Not only the property
of the people, but their lives as well are de-
pendent upon maintaining the levees and this
can only be done by the National Government
coming to their assistance
Disastrous Overflow Threatened.
The Louisville, New Orleans and Texas
Railroad having suffered great damage by the
overdows last season, R. F. Reynolds, CONNER.
cial agent of the company, was to-day inter-
viewed concerning the outlook. He said: II
have been in communication to-day by wire
with all points between this city and Memphis.
and the conclusion arrived at is that the
present c0nQltl0n OF the MISSISSIPPI rlVer ana
tributaries threatens a disastrous overflow
from Memphis to New Orleans The main
river as well as the tributaries are higher than
at this date last year.
The greatest apprehension is felt by all liv
ing in the Mississippi Valley. and if immediate
help was given by Congress many millions of
dollars worth of property could be saved. The
planters and people have not been idle. but,
seeing the great danger that threatens their
lands and homes, have done. and are doing, all
their means. limited by their their last years
misfortune. will admit. The fight of 1890 is now
being repeated, with the rivers higher than
last year, and still rising at an alarming rate.
repetition of the devastation and disaster Of
1890 would mean loss of millions to the States
OF Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana and to
the country.
The Government steamer General Newton
To-Day TO Natchez from the Kemp
levee, whittier she went with barge of lum-
Der and other materials to De used IN strength
ing the levee. The continued rise in the river
constant and active work in order
to make sure that it will hold out against the
water. The levee will require constant work
until decline sets IN, and the utmost watchful-
ness will be necessary to save it.