Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-19
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The National Water works:-we append

been greatly mystifed by the efforts of out
siders DESTROYS of making money out of a
change the plan of the work, and by the sus-
picions engendered by speeches of honorable
gentlemen who, it strikes US, could hardly
fail to entertain different opinions with refer
ence to the work, if they would trouble them
selves with thorough investigation of all
the points in the controversy:
The AoUEDUcr The failure to grant some
appropriation for the Aqueduct in the Def
cheney Bill, will cause the stoppage of the
work, great loss to the United States by
forced sales of stock and property, and to
the contractors who are now at work loss al
most ruinous.
If their work is done during the healthy
season of spring, they will make money; if
during the unhealthy fall, they will lose.
The cost of the work done under their con-
contracts will remain the same to the United
very much increased
Many members seem to be under the in
preston that there have been no estimates
presented.
By referring to Senate Elk. Doc. 4S, SOD
Congress, I'd Session, full estimates presented
to Congress before the work was begun will
be found
Inc same estimates are presented again In
Doc. 81, the answers to Mr.. Pringle's resolu-
tions of this session, with tables showing the
variation of estimates lately made, with the
advantage of over two years experience in
carrying on the work.
The new estimate falls slightly below the
original
There is a mi,apprehension as to the supply
OF water to the city also. In the documents
above quoted it will be found that only the
main trunks to the Capitol, Navy Yard, and
public buildings are to be laid by the United
States, and that the tapping of these by
branches to 90 through the streets and supply
the other parts Of the city, is left to be ar
ranged as Congress may direct.
The city will lay the distributing pipes, the
privilege being given to them by Congress, or
sold to them if Congress prefers, for sum
sufficient to keep the whole work in repair
A water rent to be charged by the city upon
expenses; and if the United States prefers,
give also revenue.
If the 100000 amendment Of the Senate to
the Deficiency Bill is granted, it will hasten
the completion of the work one year. If lost
a year is lost. If this be granted, the terms
and conditions of further appropriations can
be arranged in special bill to be brought in
by the District Committee, which should pro-
vide for the entire completion of the work
NJ. u.
A Noteworthy Incident The action of
the House on Wednesday last upon the bill
granting pension to Mrs. Mary E. Tillman
reflects great credit on the soul of that body
This lady lost her husband and three sons in
the Mexican war; and is left with a helpless
younger family depending on her Her dead
all fell calamity defending their country's
flag. The bill, as reported, proposed to allow
her the usual pension Of eight dollars per
month. Mr.. Brooks, of South Carolina, under
whom the father and two sons volunteered,
made one of the most beautiful, affecting, and
effective speeches in explanation of the cir
cumstances under which Mrs. T. applied for
relief from the Government that was ever
uttered on such o subject in the chamber.
Mr.. Mace, to the great credit of his heart, be
it written, Immediately proposed to increase
the pension to twenty dollars a month and
in few remarks, which won him great praise
from his political opponents, as well as his
friends, materially aided to procure the en-
actment Of the bill.
The California Democratic State Conven-
tion.-We have an interesting letter from a
subscriber at San Francisco, giving some ac-
count of the proceedings Of the recent Demo-
cratic State Convention at Sacramento 1t is
as follows:
SAN Francisco, March 19, 1856.
Editor Of the Star: / have recently re-
I'm fr0u Stafa -,
mento. Ex-Governor Biglcr introduced the
buchanan resolutions, embracing a clause in
structiDg the delegates to be elected to cast
their votes for Mr.. Buchanan As thus drawn
up they were laid on the table Subsequent.
ly, they were taken up in the committee on
resolutions, and after being amended go as
simply to express preference for Mr.. Buch.
anan, they were reported by majority Of one
vote. Among the resolutions reported by the
committee and adopted, was one endorsing
the National Administration and its policy
There was severe contest for tho delegates
to Cincinnati, and all of those chosen are per-
sonally friendly to President Pierce A tre-
mendous effort was ma de to defeat Col. Inge
who sent on his resignation of the u. s Dis
trict Attorneyship shortly before going up to
the Convention. His warm personal friend
ship for President Pierce was of course the
main ground of the opposition to him. The
fight was made on him, and his supporters
triumphed. The anti-Pierce men centred
their votes on 1t. Beale, as the opponent of
Col. IHge. l have time only to add that
California cannot fail to vote for any nomi-
noes Of the Cincinnati Convention. Jet.
A Valuable Work.-The Smithsonian In
stitution has just received by means of its
system of exchanges, the following work which
is one Of the finest productions of the modern
press. 1t is entitled " Architectural Monu-
ments of Early Christianity in Constantinople,
from the fifth to the twelfth centuries" and
was edited by order and under the auspices of
the King Of Prussia 1t is most important,
for whole era in the history of the fine arts,
as the most accurate surveys of St. Sophia's
Cathedral that prototype of Byzantine archi-
lecture, as we'll as Of other christian architec
tural remains at Constantinople, were ex-
ecuted by Prof Salrenberg, the editor, under