EXECUTIVE MANSION, _April 17, 1882_.
_To the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I transmit herewith a letter, dated the 29th ultimo, from the Secretary
of War, inclosing copy of a communication from the Mississippi River
Commission, in which the commission recommends that an appropriation may
be made of $1,010,000 for "closing existing gaps in levees," in addition
to the like sum for which an estimate has already been submitted.
The subject is one of such importance that I deem it proper to recommend
early and favorable consideration of the recommendations of the
commission. Having possession of and jurisdiction over the river,
Congress, with a view of improving its navigation and protecting the
people of the valley from floods, has for years caused surveys of the
river to be made for the purpose of acquiring knowledge of the laws that
control it and of its phenomena. By act approved June 28, 1879, the
Mississippi River Commission was created, composed of able engineers.
Section 4 of the act provides that--
It shall be the duty of said commission to take into consideration and
mature such plan or plans and estimates as will correct, permanently
locate, and deepen the channel and protect the banks of the Mississippi
River; improve and give safety and ease to the navigation thereof;
prevent destructive floods; promote and facilitate commerce, trade, and
the postal service.
The constitutionality of a law making appropriations in aid of these
objects can not be questioned. While the report of the commission
submitted and the plans proposed for the river's improvement seem
justified as well on scientific principles as by experience and the
approval of the people most interested, I desire to leave it to the
judgment of Congress to decide upon the best plan for the permanent and
complete improvement of the navigation of the river and for the
protection of the valley.
The immense losses and widespread suffering of the people dwelling near
the river induce me to urge upon Congress the propriety of not only
making an appropriation to close the gaps in the levees occasioned by
the recent floods, as recommended by the commission, but that Congress
should inaugurate measures for the permanent improvement of the
navigation of the river and security of the valley. It may be that such
a system of improvement would as it progressed require the appropriation
of twenty or thirty millions of dollars. Even such an expenditure,
extending, as it must, over several years, can not be regarded as
extravagant in view of the immense interest involved. The safe and
convenient navigation of the Mississippi is a matter of concern to
all sections of the country, but to the Northwest, with its immense
harvests, needing cheap transportation to the sea, and to the
inhabitants of the river valley, whose lives and property depend upon
the proper construction of the safeguards which protect them from the
floods, it is of vital importance that a well-matured and comprehensive
plan for improvement should be put into operation with as little delay
as possible. The cotton product of the region subject to the devastating
floods is a source of wealth to the nation and of great importance to
keeping the balances of trade in our favor.
It may not be inopportune to mention that this Government has imposed
and collected some $70,000,000 by a tax on cotton, in the production of
which the population of the Lower Mississippi is largely engaged, and it
does not seem inequitable to return a portion of this tax to those who
contributed it, particularly as such an action will also result in an
important gain to the country at large, and especially so to the great
and rich States of the Northwest and the Mississippi Valley.