Washington sentinel., 1854-05-25

ing nearly an hour yielding to frequent responses
10 questions put by him, he consented to a motion
TO adjourn.
And the Senate, al o'clock, adjourned
House Of Representatives.
The House resolved itself into Committee OF
/ the Whole on the state of the Union and Mr.
CHANDLER was called 10 preside
He announced that the Pacific railroad bill was
the special order for TO day.
Mr.. PHELPS, with the consent of his friend
from California, Mr.. McDoUGAL,l moved 10 post
pone The consideration of the subject until to-
morrow. This was agreed to.
WATER WORKS.
The committee then took up the Deficiency bill
the question being on concurrng with the Senate
amendments
The discussion on that appropriating five hun
dred Thousand dollars for the continuation of the
works for supplying the cities of Washington and
Georgetown resumed
Messrs BISHOP PERKINS, and SAGE op-
posed the appropriation the latter saying the effect
would be TO enable property-holders TO roll up
millions Of dollars at the expense of the general
| government
Mr.. SMITH, of Virginia, offered an amendment
requesting the President, previous to the expendi-
ture OF any part of the money, 10 enter into con-
tract with Irresponsible contractor or contractors
for finishing and completing said work. at a sum
not exceeding $2,300,000. He said that the Dis
trict OF Columbia is placed exclusively under the
jurisdiction of Congress, and hence the duty oil
Congress to take care of its interests. Besides,
the general government has large interest here
and therefore. plentiful supply Of water is neces-
sary TO preserve and protect the public property
from fire.
Mr.. HAVEN said, that if the committee should
again get afioat on this water, they would hardly
touch bottom to-day; and therefore he hoped that
without further debate, they would take the qnes-
| tion.
The amendment was voted on and rejected.
Mr.. GREEN WOOD offered one, which was
adopted, to the effect that the money shall not be
applied unless the corporations of Washington
and Georgetown shall appropriate proportion
equal TO one-fourh Of this sum, TO aid in the con.
slruction Of the work.
Mr.; STANTON, Of Kentucky, offered an
| amendment inviting proposals for finishing the
work. He said if it should be prosecuted BY the
government engineer, under the direction OF the
War Department. their worst fears would be
more than realized and he advered to the ex-
travagant prices paid for laying the bricks for the
tunnel.
Mr.. HAMILTON replied, saying that it would
be economicalto pass the appropriation at once
and that the plan stood on substantial basis.
Mr. SIANIONS amendment was rejected.
That OF the Senate, -appropriating $5O0,00o as
| amended on motion of Mr.. GREENwooD, was non
concurred n--yeas 81, nays not counted.
! LITTLE FALLS BRIDGE.
| The following Senate amendment was read for
| the consideration OF the committee.
For the completion of the bridge across the
Potomac river, at Little Falls and painting there
of agreeably 10 the plan adopted under the direc-
tion of the President Of the United States $75 O00
/ Mr.. PHELPS said the Committee OF Ways and
/ Means recommended non-concurrence in this
| amendment. He said that during the last Con-
gress S3O,OOO We're appropriated for the construc-
tion OF The bridge, and the committee did not feel
disposed TO justify further expenditure of money
lie deemed It proper 10 say, that Notwithstanding
Mr.. Rider, the contractor, has lost from eight to
i ten thousand dollars on the work recently de-
stroyed, he is prepared TO complete the bridge
! for the sum mentioned in the amendment.
| Mr.. SMITH of Virginia, said that nobody
thought that thirty thousand dollars would pay tor
the work That amount was merely appropriated
on account OF the structure. 1t was important
! the bridge should be constructed.
Mr.. STANTON OF Kentucky, offered an amend
ment providing that the work shall be performed
under the direction of the Secretary OF the Inte-
rlor, by competent civil engineers according to
| plan, the whole cost of which shall not exceed the
sum hereby appropriated. He remarked he had
understood that the engineer having charge Of that
bridge Captain Thom) had had no experience in
the construction of bridges. He (Mr. STANroN)
had piece OF this fallen bridge. There were holes
| in the iron as big as his fist, which were plugged
up with lead and painted over TO hide the defects
The bridge over Rock Creek, which lately fell
down, was built of similar rotten and bad materi-
al, cast at the same place and according to the
same plan. The least weight or jar, therefore,
Mr.. LETCHER said, from the developments
made 10 this House by the gentleman from Ken
lucky, the first thing the House ought 10 do was
to appoint committee 10 ascertain the character
OF the materials employed before they undertake
to make an appropriation of $4,000 for the con-
struction of another bridge.
Mr. BANkS said It was not necessary TO have
another contractors as the present one desires 10
change the plan, knowing the former bridge was
imperfect
Mr.. LILLY was in favor of the provso Army
officers are not educated 10 build bridges but civil
engineers are educated specially for such pur-
poses, and to them such work should be con6ded
l. Mr.. FLORENCE remarked there is a fearful
epidemic in this District to bridge building and
he agreed with the gentleman from Virginia that
It was time to put stop to those proceedings.
The amendment of the Senate, as modified by
Mr.. STANTON, of Kentucky, was concurred in.
Several other amendments having been acted
upon,
Mr.. WALSH moved, at three o'clock, that the
committee rise.
Mr.. HOUSTON appealed to the gentleman to
withdraw his motion. They should get through
the bill to-day, as the Pacific railroad bill would
come up tomorrow as the special order
Mr. WALSH said there was evidently drum
ming up 10 get quorum and, besides there were
provisions in this bill which ought not 10 pass
/ The question was taken, and decided in the
negatve-ayes SO, noes TO-
No quorum voting, the roll was called 10 note
absentees; when the committee rose,
| And the House adjourned
OUTRAGEOUS AFFAIR AT CHARLEsTowN-
ROBBERY AND ARsoN-A most outrageous af.