The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-09-10
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED.

views about leyee matters when
have been repeatedly ventilated in
the columns ofthis paper as occasion
offered. but we are not going to in
truds them upon our readers just
now, bit rather call attention direct
ly to the present situation OF the
Valley with regard to future over
flows. 4-s.-..-s--....s
The extensive inundation- on the
Western side of the big river from
Arkansas City to Red river and on
both sides below that point, has done
much to shake the faith of the inhabi-
tants of the Valley i'll leyee protec-
ton, which is not to be wondered at
when we bear in mind the many con-
fident declarations made in the be-
ginning of the year with regard to
the strength of those leyees by en-
gineers and men of practical levee
experience. This discouragment and
lack of confidence in levee protection
has been steadily growing ever since
the first break in Arkansas last
spring. Since the water has passed
away even moving to higher land
where there is no danger, has been
common talk among many of the peo-
pie. They seem to have lost conf
dence in the future safety of the val
ley.
This is but natural when the locali-
tv of the ever recurring crevasse is
so much in doubt year after year,
and the ever increasing height of
the levees has become q fixed fact,
to increase the danger when ere
vase does occur.
Without subscribing to the theory
that levees per Sc are the safe, sure
and only method for protection from
overflow, We must allow that there
are. many considerations and extern
uating circumstances connected with
their watery history and repeated
failure. 1t is, but a few years ago
since the river during the spring
time was fully sixty miles wide from
the uplands in Mississippi to the
highlands in Louisiana year after
year. Gradually the levees have
been extended, increased in height
and strength, and the dimensions of
the sixty miles wide gradually dimin-
ished.
This work of attempting to confne
the outspread waters has been done
as is well known, under the most adj
verse circumstances, to-wit: Lack of
money. There never has been money
enough for the levees needed. The
Levee Board of Carroll and Madi-
SOM before the war borrowed $780,
900 from foreign capitalists and
never pads cent of principal or in
terest. Since the war bonds of vari-
Gus kinds have been negotiated for
levee purposes, and generally at a
heavy discount. To-day the new
Levee Boards recently created by the
Legislature are endeavoring to raise
money on bonds payable by the next
generation, and all this in addition
to the 10 mill tax, five cents an acre
on land and cotton tax, is it any
wonder there has been overfows and
make-shift levees to take dangerous
chances for protection.
So much, and much more could
be said in extenuation of the present
situation of the levee protection, but
through the exertions of thoughtful
men in authority we learn that slowly
but surely Uncle Sam is getting to
regard the Mississippi river as a
National highway, and the protection
of the inhabitants of the valley from
It's surging waters a National duty.
Already there has been many mon
eys appropriated for the purpose.
Let the good work go on, with plen-
ty of money the levees as sure pro-
lection from overflow will be fully
tested, or the school of experience
will teach the scientists that some
thing in addition thereto is needed
so don't be discouraged.
The Convention of the Executive