The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-02-24
4 SPLENDID ROUNDUP,


and larbor bill, is a glorious round. up
of Mr.. Catching's congressional career
1t has fallen to the lot of but few men
to have their names so thoroughly iden-
titled with measure of such great Ma
tiOnal value as the river and harbor bill
Mr.. Catchings has made this work his
especial mission during the whole of
his entire career in congress. While
Others have talked politics, he has talk
ed of progress. Against imperialism he
has pressed on for empire-the empire
of peace and prosperity to be won by
the reclamation and protection OF the
fertile lands Of the great Mississippi
Valley, and the preparation of the river
for the wonderful commercial beneh-
cence it is destined to achieve. For this
he has labored often against the indif
ference Of his own people and always
against the powerful opposition of hos.
tile interests hard to convert or to oniet.
But he has kept the faith, he has fought
the good fight: his labor has been crown
ed with honor and with success, and
the welcome endorsement of well
done will greet him upon his return to
his home. .--Greenyille Spirit.
The above is just and fitting tribute
to the methods and the achievements of
Congressman Catchings. 1t has been
his fortune as it was his definite aim
when he entered Congress, to serve the
vital and especial interest OF his con-
stituents by, first, establishing its ma
tional character and standing: and then
by concentrating his thought and ener-
gles upon it to labor increasingly for its
advancement In this there was true
wisdom, and fruits have been borne ac-
cordingly' Thus conceiving his duty,
Mr. Catchings has raised himself to the
ranks of practical craftsmanship; which
not one Congressman in hundred at
tain, The spirit is not quite accurate.
however, in speaking of him as having
round up his Congressional career as
he has vet full term to serve. Let us
hope that before it closes an advanced
step will be taken in the National policy
toward flood confinement in the lower
valley; that the act will be passed
which is the goal Of Mr.. Gatherings
ambition.
There appeared in recent letter of
"'Savoyard' the well known cores
pondent of the Courier Journal-the
following tribute to Mr.. Catchings;
which his constituents will read with
just pride. Just now, with Rivers and
Harbors bill in peril through being sad
died with the Nicaragua canal rider
Delta people will especially appreciate
what it is worth to them to have their
interests carried in the Sundry Civil
bill:
''For several years the soul of the
River and Harbor Committee has been
Thomas G Catchings, of Mississippi.
That man is to the South what Dewitt
Clinton was to the North, what Thomas
H. Benton was to the West. Indeed
for his people he has made it compare
lively unimportant whether or not
Congress enacts a River and Harbor'bill.
He is the author of continuing i'm
provements," and Tom Catchings gets
in his work on the Sundry Civil Bill.
There has not been single cotton bale
going up or down the Mississippi river
the past five years that does not owe
him tribute. He has done more for the
Mississippi river than any other dozen
men who ever sat in either house Of the
American Congress. saw this as an
onlooker in Vienna. never exchanged
twenty sentences with the man in my
life
1t is not only the improvement work
OF his people that has benehtted spy
anchorage under the continuing" plan
Of appropriations. But all of the larger
OBJECTS that are designated in the Riv-
ers and Harbors bill are passing nnder
this system. This reference suggests
the secret OF the broader success that
has attpndad Mr. (atchinuS career in
Congress he has studied and worked
for the whole class of rivers and har-
bors interests. Had he adopted any
narrow or local line of action failure in
stead OF success woud have been his
portion. BY serving others ably and
generously ---he secures a like help from
all From Pittsbprg to the Pacific,
from the Lakes to the Gulf there is not
city with Improvements vital to its
= HsSuns ~ u A-l