Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-03-17
HARBOR AND RIVER BILL.
Correspondence OF the Chicago Democrat.

WASHINGTON, March l, 1916.
We are in the midst Of the greatest
snow storm ever known here. It showed
all day yesterday, all last night. and bids
fair TO last this day. And all our mails
appear to be blocked up.
The House for The two last days, has
been engaged on private bills; and the SEN
ate has not been in session.
On Thursday last, after the House ad-
journed-I went into the Senate and found
a spar debate going on upon the Oregon
question. Mr.. Packenham was there sit
ting by The side Of wing representative
from Connecticut talking very agreenbly.
But what about is ne ones business.
We have couple Of fresh messengers
from England here. 1t is said that thew
have come to accept Of Mr.. Folks offer
qualified by the freedom Of the Columbia
for twenty years. 1t is said that Mr.. Polk
has referred this matter entirely to the
Senate. If so, allow me 10 say, that the
Senate will accept Of the offer, and stocks
will rise! Every thing now has to give
way TO stocks.
Our harbor bill is in statu quo. By the
resolution of the House, each barbor has
TO have a separate vote. The frs, vote
will be OH Lake Champlain, which Lake
will carry the united vote Of New York,
Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Connecticut and part Of Maine. This Lake
! from the numerous battles on and about /: is
so endeared to men living in It's region that
if it fails, its friends will be likely 10 stop
voting. So, if that fails, all fail. If our
western men vote true on that, it will carry
and all will be safe.
Lake Michigan is the most opposed. land
yet il IS the weakest Of all. Lake Cham
plain untes not only its immediate repres-
en,a,ves but all the States on which it bor-
dels. Lake Michigan has never yet had
but about half o. Indiana and Illinois.
Every nan in Michigan will vote for
Champlan, and certainly half Of Illinois
and Indiana. If these two States lead of
entire Tor Champlain, they will do away
with the prejudice OF the east, and Lake
Michigan is safe.
When the public find gu, all the fac.s,
they will approve Of the course Of the
Committee oil Commerce in not exceeding
The estimates. When nine harbors besides
the st. Clair fats, involving an approPri.
alton Of SlS0,000, fall to three districts and
those districts not sustained by their entire
delegation, they need no addition TO their
load.
Our merchants all have great interest in
the adoption of the ware-housing system.
The Committee Of Commerce have to draw
up bill general in its operotons, but the
bill revised and reported by them gives us
OF The west as great advantages as we
could expect in a bill for a country Of such
diversified interests as our own.
The duty on goods need not be paid un.
der three years unless they are wanted TO
60 to the consumption Of the country. Our
Chicago merchants can buy dutiable goods
and warehouse them until the three years
rua out without paying The duty, and then
MS duty can be paid a, Chicaso instead of
New York. BY this, they save not only
the interest Of their money, but the price
Of exchange in New York.
The fate Of our harbor bill will be known
this week. Mr. Polk told some New Jer-
sey members that he should veto any river
appropriation where the rivor lay entirely
within State unless il had custom house,
and then he would allow no appropriation
above the custom house. Not only is there
no such river in the bill, but there 10 none
unless estimates g. recommendations were
sent to Congress by the Secretary Of War
So after the bill passes, il will not be en-.
lirsly ou, Of danger, it there are amend
ments cor fiic.ing with The rivers expressed
above.