Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-29
ALEX q, NDi21As
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH %, 1926.

After suspension OIL some uayS, 'he iiousc
of REPRESENTATIVES have resumed the discussion
Of Mr.. McDufhe's propositions for amending
,be Constitution Of the United States. Such,
however, is the apathy evinced by the great bo-
dv Of the members, that the House is literally
deserted as soon as the Resolutions are read,
,nd an orator takes the floor. There was no
time during the discussion Of yesterday, that a
hundred members were TO be seen in their seats;
and when the Committee rose, there were but
Ios within the walls, many Of whom were call
ed in by the Sergeant-at-arms, after the ques-
ton had been once put and it was ascertalned
that quorum had not voted. Such state oil
things can readily be accounted for It's
known and acknowledged that every effort TO a
mend the Constitution, at the present ume,
must result in defeat; consequently those VINO
are not disposed to make speeches for home con-
sumption are Indifferent about the debate, and
anxious to see it terminated. Many are tired
Of listening 10 harrangues ad CGptandNm Vui-
rus, and we might add, for the greater part
,oret prg!erea niLH, while others prefer reading
them after they have been improved by the re-
porters We do not near that all the speeches
are of this class for several very able ones have
been delivered, but we speak Of the mass.
The probability is, the present week will put
an end to the affair. The Panama Mission
comes up on Monday, and we hazard little in
predicting that when that question is disposed
of, the indispensable business of the nation will
engross the remainder Of the session.
We have endeavored for some days past to
ascertain the probable amount OF the estimates
for the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, but with
out success, further than conjectures that it will
be in the neighborhood of TWENTY MILLIONS
Large>as this amount is, the Baltimore Pa
triot makes it still greater The Editors do
not say how they obtained their information,
but they state that the expence Of the whole
work will not fall short of thirty millions Of
dollars, From tide water to Cumberland
the expense is estimated at eight millions
One thing, we believe, is reduced to certain
ty, namely, the grand project of locking over
the Allegheny, must be abandoned and our
attention turned to the Potomac only. Even
at eight millions, which we think will be
found to exceed the estimates OF the Engineers
two millions at least, the stock would be the
best in the United States, paying, 1t is thought
70 to IS per cent per annum; while the othe"
sections, costing three times the money, would
no, yield half the nett profits.
CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS OF YESTERDAY.
IN THE SENArE-The bill for the relief Of
Francis Larch of New-Orleans was read the
third time and passed. The bill for the bene-
fit of the incorporated Kentucky Asylum for
the instruction Of the Deaf and Dumb gave rise
10 good deal Of desultory debate, in which
most of the members Of the Senate partici-
nated 1t was opposed on the ground thar
Congress had no power to dispose OF the pub
lie lands except for purposes affecting the gen
eral welfare, and that it was the same thing as
donation to private individual. To this IT
was replied, that Congress had right to make
any disposition of the public lands it thought
pvoper-thau similar grant had been made to
the Asylum in Connecticut, and that II was an
object deserving of the donation proposed to
be given. The bill was passed 10 third read
ing. The bill authorizing the re-opening of
the Kings road in the territory of Florida, was
also ordered to third reading. The Judicial
ry bill from the House of Representatives will
probably be the subject of consideration to-
morrow.
In THE HOUSE OF RFPREsENTATIvEs-Mr.
Newton Of Virginia, from the Committee on
Commerce, reported bill for authorising the
building Of lighthouses and light vessels, erect
ing beacon lights, placing buoys, removing OBJ
structions in the river Savannah, and for other
purposes; which bill was twice read and COM
misted.
MIR. Webster, from the Committee on the Ju-
dietary, reported bill to provide for making
reports of the decisions Of the Supreme Court;
which bill was twice read and committed.
Mr. Vinton, from the Committee on Public
Lands; made a report in relation to the conflict
snc- .to;,,s RI lands Ivino between I,udlow'S and