Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-27


Mr. PHELPS said that with the consent of the gentle
man from California, (Mr. McDouoALL,) with whom he
had consulted he would move TO postpone the further
consideration of the special order until tomorrow Sc
that the deficiency bill might be disposed Of to-day
The motion was agreed to.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL.
The committee accordingly resumed the consideration
of the bill to supply deficiencies in the appropriations fol
the service of the fiscal year ending the Both of June
1854, returned from the Senate with ftythree amend
ments the pending question being on the amendment
appropriating 100000 for continuing the WORKS for
bringing water into the city of Washington
Mr.. PERKINS, Of New York, opposed the amendment,
believing that the plan adopted would require FOR its
completion seven millions Of dollars
Mr.. SAGE could see more reason why the Govern
men should pny for the construction of these works than
the State OF New York should pay for the introduction
o. water into the city Of Albany.
Mr.. PHELPS appealed to the committee, as the spe-
ca order had been postponed for only one day. to pro-
coed TO vote upon the amendment without further dis
cusson. 2".a. @M..-
Mr. SMITH, of Virginia, moved to add to the amend
proyiso that previous the expenditure of any
part OF :he $500 000 the President shall into
tract with responsible contractor contractors to fin
ish and complete the work, upon the plan heretofore
adopted, for not exceeding 50 SOC, 900; and it
shall be the duty Of the President to take from the
tractor contractors good and sufficient security for
the completion OF the work according to the plan and
specifications determined upon by the Executive
Mr. s. called the attention of the committee the fact
that by the Constitution the District Of Columbia
placed under the exclusive jurisdiction Of the Federal
Government and consequence there was obliga-
ton upon the Government to provide water for the ci
Gems of the District Gentlemen should remember that
Washington city literally created by the expeud
lures Of the Federal Government and by the expenditures
OF those brought here in conrexion Herewith. If ever
city existed which had right to claim from the Govern
ment accommodations requisite to make it safe it
Washington As was well said yesterday by the gentle
man from Ohio (Mr TAYLOR independent Of this
sdcraon the Federal Government had very large in
erest within these limits which required every precau
ton for its protection. . .....
1t had been said that very large expenditure would
be the consequence Of prosecuting this work He wished
to call the attention of the committee the fact that
there was proprety in this body undertaking to adj
Just system for the prosecution Of this Improvement
The act this subject expressly provided that the plan
should be adopted which be selected by the Presi
dent Il true Congress might abolish the whole
terprse hut the principle had been settled in the com
menceent Of the work and the adoption Of plan, from
which lie presumed the House would not DEPART
Mr.. HAVEN said that if the committee should again
get aoat on this water they would hardly touch bottom
to-day aud he therefore hoped that without further de-
bate, the question would be taken.
The question then taken on the proyiso Of Mr.
SsIlTH, and it was disagreed to-
On motion of Mr.. GREENWOOD, proviso was added
to the amendment that the amount hereby appropriated
shall not be applied unless the Corporations of George
town and Washington shall appropriate and pay an
amount equal to oneourth of this aid in the con-
s,ruction of this work
Mr. STANTON, Of Kentucky, offered proriso to the
ed unless contract should be made within the amount
estimated for the completion Of the plan adopted
ooO after sixty days notice in the public jour
mails, the work 10 he completed in two years.
Mr. HAMILTON advocated the amendment Of the Sem
ate lie said that If the appropriation should not be
granted now, il would be made some time during the
session 1t was simply question Of economy and the
Government would money by the appropriation Of
the 5000, 500 provided for in the Senate amendment
The amendment of Mr.. STANTON was then rejected
he question was then taken on the original amend
ment, as amended on the motion of Mr. GREENWOOD and
it was non coacurred in: Ayes 81 noes not counted
The following amendment of the Senate having been
read a...- .
For the completion Of the bridge the Potomac river
at Little Fails and painting thereof agreeab,y to the III
adopted under the direction President Of the United
states. seyenty-flye thousand dollars
Mr.. PHELPS said that the Committee of WAYS and
Means recommended non-c6ncurrence in this amend
ment. During the last Congress $50 900 were arpro-
pr!ated for the construction of this bridge and the Com
mttee Of Ways and Means did feel disposed to justify
further expenditure o. money. lie deemed it proper
to say tha notwithstanding Mr.. Rider the contractor
had lost by the recent accident the work. from eight
to ten thousand dollars he prepared complete the
bridge for the mentioned in the amendment +,
Mr. SMITH, of Virginia, said that when $780, 900 were
appropriated by the last Congress for the construction of
this bridge nobody thought it would complete the work
1t was only appropriated on account of the structure
was important the bridge should be constructed for the
convenience of the District
Mr., STANTON, of Kentucky offered an amendment |
providing that the work shall be done under the direction
Of the Secretary of the Interior by competent civil
engineers according to plan the whole cost Of which
shall not exceed the sum hereby appropriated.
He said that he had understood that the engineer hay
ing charge of the bridge had had experience in the
construction Of such works. for which, however that off,
Ger was not to blame. He Mr.. S. had piece Of the
fallen bridge There holes in the iron large as
his fist which were plugged up with lead and pointed
over TO hide the defects The bridge Rock Creek
which had lately fallen down, built of similar rotten
and bad material cast at the place and according
to the same plan The least weight JAR therefore was
calculated to tumble the bridge into the river.
Mr. LETCHER said that from the developments made
to the Committee by the gentleman from Kentucky the
first thing they ought do should be the appointment
OF committee to ascertain the character Of the materials
employed in the construction Of the bridge before un
dertaking to appropriate the named in the amend
meut. .,.">.
The amendment Of Mr.. STANTON was then agreed to-
Mr. BANKS said that it not necessary to change
the contract because the contractor himself desired th
the plan should be changed, at least far the
rial concerned. .,..
Mr. LILLY expressed himself in favor of the proyiso
Army officers not educated TO build bridges, but
civil engineers educated specially for such purposes
and to them such works should be conided.
Mr. FLORENCE said that there seemed to be fright
full epidemic in the District of Columbia in regard to
bridges He was in favor of adopting such plan for
this bridge would the purpose for which such
structures were built
The question was then taken, and the amendment of
the Senate, as amended, was concurred in.
Several other amendments discussed and disposed
Of during which the committee found itself three times
without quorum, when in each instance the roll was
called and the absentees reported to the House.
Without dsposing of the bill, the committee rose.
And the House adjourned.