St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-03-02
THE SITUATION CRITICAL.
Lower Mississippi Liable to Break
at Any Moment.

at any moment.
New ORLEANS, La. March 1.-Con-
corning the condition of the levees and
the uneasy feeling produced along the
Mississippi by the continued rising of
the water, the following information
has been received from Col.C.E. Wright,
editor of the NickSburg Commercial:
The high stage of water from Cairo to
the gulf creates uneaSineSS through
this section, Another rise from the
Ohio, accompanied by one from the
Arkansas, would put the levees to a
severe strain, especially the new work
just completed or in process of compile
ton. The local levee boards expended
last spring large sums of money to pro-
tect the levees, and last fall in repairing
breaks in them caused by the overflow
OF last year. The people in this section
earnestly hope that the One-miliOn
emergency bill passed by the house and
now pending III 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 telegram from Capt. Lambert. Tor
many years editor of the Natchez Dem
ocrat. says: The situation of the river
along the lower Mississippi just now is
quite critical. While the water in sight
does not appear to be sufficient to cause
a flood height attaining last year, vet
the indications now are for rains
through a considerable portion of the
valley; and, if they should occur, it
IS probable that the floods of last
year would be eQualed the present
season. Many of the tributaries of the
lower Mississippi are now bank-full. and
of A
the water that they pour into the river
increases the danger to that extent, and
there is no telling what the final results
Will be. The leyees are not really in so
good condition as they were at this time
last year, and there is a 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 appropriations for the levees.
Not only the property of the people but
their lives as well are dependent upon
maintaining the leyees, and this can
only be done by the national government
coming to their assistance. The Louis
vile, New Orleans IL Texas road having
suffered great damage by the oyerfoWS
last season, r. f. Reynolds, com
merclal agent of the company, was to-
Qdy lnlerfleWeu concerning the out
look. He said: II have been in com
municatiOn to-day by wire with all
points between this city and Memphis.
and the conclusion arrived at is that the
present condition of tie Mississippi
river and tributaries is liable
TO overflow from Memphis to New
Orleans. The main river, as well as
the tributaries, is higher than at this
date last year. The greatest apprehen-
sion is felt by all living in the Missis-
Sippi valley, and if Immediate help was
given by congress many millions of dol
lars 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 ali
their means, limited by their
last years misfortune, will admit.
The big flood of 1SS990 is now being re
peated with the rivers higher than last
year and still rising at an alarming rate
A repetition Of the devastation and dis
Rster of 1883 would mean a loss of mill
ions to the states of Arkansas. Missis-
sippl and Louisiana. and to the country -
NATCHEZ, Miss, March 1.-The goy-
ernment steamer General Newton re-
turned to-day from the Kempe leyee.
whittier she went with cargo of lum-
Der and other materials to be used in
strengthening the levee. The continued
rise IN the river necessitates constant
knd active work II order to make sure