Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-21
RIVERS AND HARB0Rs.
REMARKS OF MR.. WASHBURNE,
OF ILLINOIS.

IN commune 81 We WH0fe on Me Sfdte o. the
Union, July 1 and IL, 1884.
Debate on the Harbor and River Bill
having been limited to five minutes,
Mr.. WASHBURNE said
Mr. Chairman, in the FIVE minutes left for the
discussion of the BILL wish to make few re-
marks in reference To the suggestions OF my coll
league [Mr. WENTwoRTH] as TO the course we
ought to pursue on these appropriations for the
improvement of rivers and harbors, reported by
the Committee on Commerce. understand him
to recommend that we should take the bill just
as it has been reported by the committee, and dis
courage all amendments. Now, / shall briefly
state my reasons for not adopting the suggestions
of my colleague. There amendments which
think ought to be made to the bill, and which i
am sure this Committee will make, on knowledge
of all the facts.
In the first place, let direct attention Of gem
tlemen to the appropriations recommended by the
Committee on Commerce for the improvement of
the rapids in the Mississippi river and ask if they
be commensurate with the Importance of the OBJ
ject? That is nm improvement one not only of
vast importance to the Mississippi valley, but to
the whole country. Now what is the appropria-
ton recommended by the Committee on Com
merce for the improvement of the Dcs Moines and
Rock River rapids? Why, sir, the insignificant
and pitful sum of $4,000 is recommended for
River rapids Here is ON Improvement which
everybody knows, who knows anything of the
subject to make it available will cost half mil
lion ofdollars and which is work of great nation
al Importance And, in addition to the little sum
of 81 100000 heretofore appropriated it is now pro-
posed only to add $4,000 in all.
In my recollection, the first appropriation for the
survey of these rapids was $4,000, and it was
made in 1897, and it was with view to some
adequate improvement of them. The survey was
made under the direction of most slsillful and
accomplished engineer Colonel Lee, and it is the
opinion of persons familiar with the character of
improvements needed, that his plan is the only one
which can be adopted to effectually carry out the
object the Government had in view. The survey
was made by this engineer, and it was approved
by the Engineer Department here in Washington,
and literally nothing has been done since. To
be sure, two years ago there was an appropriation
of $4,000 made for each OF these rapids.
What has been done with that appropriations
Have the people who live on the border of that
great father of waters derived any benefit from
that appropriation No. sir. Not one rock has
been taken out of the channel and not single
obstruction has been removed. But, instead of
that we see the appropriations likely to be all fritz
tered away by a resurvey, and by new experiments,
all to no purpose, according to my judgment in
this regard. II is acknowledged by practical
men, by the steamboat men of that river, class
of men distinguished everywhere for their intelli-
gence and their practical common sense, men who
know every rock over which they pass, from Keo-
kuk to Galena, that the original plan of Colonel
Lee was the best and most practical mode OF
improving these rapids. Why not, then, carry
that plan out in letter and spirit and make your
appropriations to do so? Why these delays, and
why this great injustice to the people of the Mis-
sissippi valley? Why, sir, this appropriation
made two years ago, and literally nothing
has been done, and it would seem that nothing is
as TO be DONE We come here now from this great
valley, and ask for a proper and adequate appro-
priation, and this Committee on Commerce give
us the pitful sum of $4,000 for each of these
rapids. What kind of an appropriation is that,
to remove such distractions from river like the
Mississippi, upon whose magnificent current floats
millions and millions of the commerce of this
great nation, the product of the enterprise and
industry of the people Of that part of the great
West? / shall move to increase this amount
Z Here the hammer fell.
On the 18th of July, the House of Representa-
tives being in Committee Of the Whole on the
state of the Union, Mr.. RICHARDSON obtained the
floor.
Mr. RICHARDSON ! offer the following
amendment:
For continuing the improvement of the Des
Moines rapids, in the Mississippi river, 1922, 900.
| understand it was the avowed purpose OF the
committee to report such appropriations as the
Department and officers in charge of the works
recommend for the continuation of those works.
The officers in charge of the work in question
estimate the amount necessary for its completion
at $250000. | ask the attention of the Commit
tee while read an extract from the report of Col
onel Long, who believe, is the officer in charge
Of this work. II is to be found in the third part
of the message and accompanying documents for
1853 and 1854.
"The cost of improving the Des Moines rapids
by the adoption of the method of sluice nayiga-
ton, as estimated by Colonel Lee, is as follows,
viz:
Blasting and removing 94,8ll cubic yards OF
rock, at So $751; 1922.
al am inclined to think that the estimated
quantity just stated is somewhat short of the
amount required for slnice having clear width
of two hundred feet, and would accordingly as
sumo for the amount in round numbers, excaya-
ton required 100000 cubic yards, which would
give for the probable cost Of the work Of blast
ing, &c, at 81 per cubic yard 100000
"To which should be added, on account
of hindrances and unavoidable inter-
ruptions, including buoys, chains, an
chors &c, at least twenty-five per
cent, viz: 10000
S250,00O
desire to say that il is utterly impossible to
benefit the navigation Of that portion of the river
by an appropriation Of $4,000. If the Govern
ment is to make the Improvement so ms to benefit
the navigation of the river at that point, they
ought to have the money asked by the officer
having the work in charge. | do not undertake,
nor shall undertake. to say, that S25o,000 will
complete the work; but unless we have that
amount, the officers in charge Of the work can do
but little good there.
Mr.. WASHBURNE, Of Illinois. | propose to
amend the amendment of my colleague, as fol-
lows:
Prorided, That said sum shall be expended un-
der the direction Of the Secretary of War; in pros
ecuting said Improvement according to the plan
Of Colonel II. II. Lee.
w L 1T L.. anrr lie rdn