Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-03
WEpNEspAY,JANuAR %, 1929.
In SEN AIE

The bill 10 graduate The price Of The public lands
tsas. on motion OF Mr. Benton, i,.ado the special
order Of the day for Wednesday next
The bill ''authoIiZng subscription on the part
OF the Uniteii States to the stock OF the louisville
and Portland CANA then came up.
Mr.. Chandler said he should like to have somu
reason assigned why the bill should pass.
MIR. Rowan said i, easy enough 10 give the
reasons why this bill should pass. The canal
could not be completed without the aid of the Co.
vernment-Unfortunately the calculations of the
Engineer employed to survey the route, and esii-
mate the expenses, proved erroneous, and after
the work was far progressed, il fouud that The
expense would far exceed the estimate. The ca
nal was two miles, and something less than a quar-
ter in length, and cut out of the solid rock; much
had been done; the locks were nearly completed;
the excavatcd stone had been removed, and about
two thirds Of the work completed. Being
thus delayed, The stock was below par, aud many
shares had been forfeited in consequence Of the
non payment Of the amount called for. This for
teited stock could not be sold 20 individuals, al
par. The present bill provided that the Govern
ment should take il; and unless the Government
did take il, the work could not be completed.
The expenditures had 0lready amounted 10 between
two and three hundred thousand dollars; aud il
was calculated that the amount provided for in
this bill, would be sufficient to complete II. For
this purpose the Legislature OF Kcniucly had ex-
tended the time in which il was TO be finished for
the term of two years longer. 1t had proved to
be a very great work, much greater than was p
Yer anticipated by any body who had inquired
into the subject. He was not going INTO
the question Of the principle: it merely a
question upon the expectancy OF taking so much
of the stock. II was still believed by the stock.
holders that the stock would be good, and while,
in pecuniary point of view, the Government
would not lose, he hoped the bill would pass with
out objection.
Mr.. Branch made remarks in opposition to
the BILL
Mr.. Chandler moved that the bill be now post.
ptned, and made the order OF the day for Tuesday
next.
MIR. Noble then addressed the Senate in support
of the bill; and
Mr.. Smith, of Maryland went into an argu.
1nent to prove the general nature and importance
vi the work; he cited the presidents Of other
similar acts, and showed that even North Carroll
ma had not been without similar aid from the Co.
vernment. Tie opposed the postponeuieut, and
advocated the immediate passage OF the bill.
The debate was further continued by Messrs
Branch, McLane, Johnston, of Louisiana and Ben
ton; when the bill was finally passed BY yeas "a,
nays le.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.Newion, from the Committee Of Commerce,
reported bill, making appropriations for building
lighthouses and beacOns, and placing buoYs, and
for improving hsrbors and directing surveys;
which was read first and second time, and com
mitted TO the Committee Of the Whole House on
the state of the Union.
MIR. MDufiie reported bill making appropria.
for the year 1929, which was twice read and COM
fitted.
Mr.. Hamilton, from the Committee on RetJench.
ment, reported the following bill:
A BILL to regulate the compensation Of the
Members Of Congress, TO establish a uniform
rule for the computation OF iheir mileage and
for other purposes.
Be il enacted, &C. That, from the commence
Fent Of the first ion Of each Congress, the per
diem compensation now allowed 70 Members Of
Congress shall be paid until four calender months
shel have elapsed, should Congress cit so long;
aid, in case Congress should pro'ract its sitting az
ter the expiration Of the said four months, then
from and after that time, the pay Of each member
shall be reduced to two dollars per day.
Sec. 2. -4Hdbe HJLTfher enacted, That The
Secretary Of the Senate and the Sergeant. alarms
Of the House Of Representative, shall, al the
Commencement Of each session Of Con gress, Obtain
ffbm each Member the name Of The post Office
riEeresth his residence, and shall then procure from
tho Postmaster General 40 exact siatemenrof tbs
distance 70 ssid pos.oflce fon 'hc sestof Govern,