The Greenville times., 1896-07-01
EITER COMMISSION.
InteFTieW VIA Gel. z. l. AaXHell Upon
incidents OF the Session.


Col +. l. Maxwell, president Of the
Fifth Louisiana levee board. who hss
been in New York, in attendance upon
the mee'ing of the Mississippi River
Commission, passed through the city
Yesterday enr ute home from that city
and gave the C II. the following se-
count of incidents occurring during
the session:
He had not learned Of the Commis-
siou's allotments, except that published
in the c. II. Yesterday, which was linn
tied to the amount received by the
Grssnyille distriet. He was not sur
prised at that districts getting the
lions share. lie said that Mr. Perey's
speech before the Commission pre
senied the rights Of that district most
eoBvincingly. The Commission, in-
deed, aud others present, were deeid-
edly impressed by the earuestuess and
ability of the speakers argument.
The president Of the Commission, Col.
Gillespie, Commissioners Taylor, Flad
aud Hsrrod, all eomplmented the
speaker in the highest terms. Col
Maxwell himself says that the argu-
ment was one OF the most perfect and
was presented in the most irresistible
manner that be ever listened TO-.
While interested on account Of his
own district In this distribution Col.
Maxwell expressed no disappointment
at tho good fortune Of the Greenville
district, saying that its needs were the
greatest of all.
The prescnce Of Geu. Catchings at
the meeting of the Commission, Col.
Maxwell pronounced as very fortu-
nate. Iu the first place the Commis-
sion had not received official notice Of
the appropriation. This obstacle was
removed upon kilograms sent from
Gen. Catchings to the secretary Of war.
Theu there were several new members
OF the Commission who stood In need
OF enlightenment as to the Congress
sioual idea of the Commissions policy.
Gen. Catchings took up the bill, said
Col. Maxwell, and explained every
thing clearly and practically. He en-
forced upon the Commission two
points, with particular emphasis. as TO
the expenditure OF the money appro-
priated. There were, first, the attempt
OF the city of st. Louis, in the interest
OF an extensive dredging scheme, to
indirectly destroy the Commission.
He assured that body that but for the
opposition Of the lower Valley people
and their outspokcn denunciations of
the scheme, the effort would In all
probability have been successful. Gen.
Catchings contended thar this entitled
the communities which had rallied TO
the cause of the Commission aud Of
river improvement, to kindly consld-
Grafton. as well as just treatment. lie
further assured the Commission that
q liberal appropriation for levees, now
recognized Is sn important adjunct of
navigation work, would meet the ap.
proval Of congress. The other aud
equally important point that he ad.
dressed himself to and which be AIMED
to impress upon the Commission, was
that sentiment In the upper valley was
becoming restive under the delay in
improving low water navigation, and
that It would be difficult to keep up
appropriations, which have that end
for their main purpose, unless decided
results were speedily forthcoming
This admonition Col. Maxwell under
stood to mean vigorous prosecution
Of dredging work. lie thought The
policy Of the Commission would be tC
sxpend pretty much the entire appro
prlatIon on levees aud dredging.