The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-07-11

been a set and comprehensive levee
speech in the senate since the late
Gen. Randall Gibson was member
of that body. There was, if we re-
member correctly, some debate in the
open senate when there was a special
levee appropriation Of 81, 000, 000-to
repair the 1890 flood ravages. But
that was decided in committee, and
it was to the commerce commmittee
that our then George and
Walthal addressed themselves. 1t
was the intelligent and practical
levee rule of those two departed and
illustrious Misissippians, and Of Mr..
Money after he succeeded to the sem
ate, to cooperate as far as their in
fuence and labors were available,
with ex-Congressman Catchings, the
special champion and recognized au-
thority of the levee interest, and the
policy of it's advancement by legis-
lation.
But it is not true that Mr.. Money
never made a speech for levees
During the years that they served in
the house together, Mr.. Catchings al
ways had his able and active support
both in counsel and debate In the
contests upon river improvement and
levee appropriations lie spoke force
fully and effectively as he always does.
There was speech from him on one
occasion that should win him fair
ness, at least, from levee men. That
was in 1896-when the high tide of
free silver threatened to overhwelm
Mr.. Catchings in the very crisis of
his levee labors. But many silver
ties remained true to him and the le-
wee paramountcy. And chief among
them was Senator, then Congress
man Money. In letter refusing to
join in the anti Catchings hue and
cry, he completely demolished the
false arguments, that were advanced
against him. 1t took courage as we'll
as sense of right in 1896 for Missis
sippi politician to stand by Catchings.
"Lest I'VE forget, and become guilty
of the sin of ingratitude, the follow
ing close of that letter is quoted:
"Gen. Catchings has always been
very powerful advocate of river and
harbor improvements and of levees
also. and think you will find it
will prove mistake to try to mini
mize or disparage his work. Let him
have credit for honestly doing his
best and for having done it effective
ly and we'll.
There is an irony behind it that
makes ludicrous the pretention of |
Longino to place in the senate as a
levee champion. This slould strike
the most obtuse, for it is not to be
so soon forgotten that he was the
leader in the ignoble 1896 campaign
of disparagement and misrepresenta-
tion of the services and value of
Catohings in congress, for that same
interest. The numerically insignif-
cant Delta faction that sought his
defeat out Heroded Herod for 16 to /,
for they saw in this new and most
bewiCching slogan weapon for his
destruction. Long and vainly did
they seek for candidate against him,
among the local political leaders
of reputation and standing. Many
were. solicited and, out of fealty to
the levee cause, all declined. At last
a leader was discovered in Longtime
then the chancellor of the district.
He was the "wilIin' Barkis'' that
was set mp for the place. And once
in it, be made a canvass worthy Of
his subsequent career. Tile !. CAM
paign he personifed has had few par
Allels on the low level Of intolerance.
misrepresentation and shallow ap.il
peals 70 passion and prejudice. Il
Mr.. oasohinga Was then engaged in {