Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1879 — THE FATHER OF WATERS. [ARTICLE]

THE FATHER OF WATERS.

The Mississippi River Improvement Bill, as Passed by Congress. The House of Representatives at Washington has passed the bill to provide for the organization of the Mississippi River Improvement Commission. This is a modification of the bill originally reported which provided in addition an appropriation of $3,871,574 to be used for clearing crevasses and raising and strengthening the levies along the Mississippi river. The amount was distributed as follows: In the State of Illinois, $75,000; in the State of Missouri, $490,380; in the State of Missouri above the Ohio, $51,264; in the State dt Tennessee, $100,000; in the State of Arkansas, $1,299,180; in the State of Mississippi, $1,178,000; in the State of Louisiana, $677,750. The work was to be let out to the lowest bidder by the Secretary of War. The provision in the bill making this large expenditure was discussed for several days, and finally failed, finding its chief supporters only among those members representing constituencies on both sides of the river. The entire amount of $3,000,000 appropriated in the bill was stricken out, and the bill as passed appropriates $250,000 for the services and expenses of a commission. The commission is to be composed of five persons appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. It is to be composed ol three officers 'of the army engineer corps, one of whom shall be designated by the President of the United States as the President of the commission. The other two members of the commission are to be civilians who are familiar with the navigation of the Mississippi river. The army officers are not to receive pay in addition to their annual salaries now allowed them by law. The other two are to receive an annual salary of $3,000. It is made the duty of the commission to direct and complete such surveys of the river, between Alton, 111., and the mouths of the river, as may now be in progress, and to make such additional surveys, examinations and investigations, hydrographical and topographical, as may be deemed necessary. The Secretary of War is authorized, when requested by the commission, to detail from the engineer corps of the army such men as may be necessary, and to place at the disposal of the commission such vessels, machinery and instruments as may be under his control. He is also empowered to purchase, if it is found necessary, whatever vessels, boats and instruments are not now under the control of the department. They are to consider plans and estimates for the correction and permanent location and deepening of the channel of the Mississippi, and the improvement of its navigation, and the protection of the alluvial lands of the Mississippi delta from overflow, and to prepare and mature plans for and estimates of the cost of a general system of works, having the same object in view, from Alton, 111., to the mouths of the Mississippi. When these plans are matured and approved by the President of the commission, they are to submit to the Secretary of War a detailed report, together with the plans, to be by him transmitted to Congress. An important amendment offered by Mr. Reagan, of Texas, was incorporated in the bill requiring the commission to report also in full upon the practicability, feasibility, and probable cost of the various plans known as the jetty and levee and outlet systems as well as upon all others that may be suggested to them. If these plans and estimates are approved by Congress the Secretary of War is instructed to construct and complete the works. The commission is then to make an annual report of the progress of the works, and of the estimates of the amounts of appropriations necessary to carry them on. The majority of the commission is also authorized, prior to the 'completion of the surveys and examinations, to submit to the Secretary of War specifications and estimates for such immediate works as may be necessary for closing outlets, gaps and crevasses in the levees or banks of the river, to be transmitted to Congress. If these plans, specifications and estimates are approved, the Secretary of War shall cause the immediate construction of such works in such manner as may be deemed most speedy and economical.