The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-09-24

accomplish more for the interests of his
constituents, vastly more. than all his
predecessors since W sconsin heoa' to
have history, had together been able to
do. In fact for the first time the stimu-
lus of public money employed on the great
works of public Improvement, so long
| needed and so vainly called for, was now
| felt in every part of the district People
| rubbed their eyes. Here evidently is a
| man very fit to be our Member of Con-
gress. Here is man who has got things
done, who has. got marvellous things done
Opposition was disarmed, and when he
consented to be candidate second term
his majority was inereas edi -isois 30G0 to
5000. But Mr. Sawyer had not only
made his mark in his District, he had be-
come an infuent al member in the House.
Those who are familiar with Congression-
al matters know that the Committee on
Commerce ranks third among the House
Committees, and that there is great
strife for place upon it. Speaker
Colfax rendered place upon this Com
mittee to MIR. Sawyer It is strange that
Mr. Colfax and some of our most honest
and talented democrats should differ so
widely in their estimate of this lumber
man. Mr. f. B. Washburn of Illinois
Is the Chairman of this Committee. Mr.
Sawyer introduced into the Committee
bill giving $35, 900 each to the harbors of
Manitowoc and Green Bay to continue
the works there this year. General Will
son had e. timated that $40, 900 would be
needed this year to carry on the improve
ment of the Wisconsin River, and ac-
cordingly called for that amount Mr.
Sawyer added it to his bill and demanded
that the committee report bill for the
full amount Mr. Washburn, in the in
terests of the Chicago people, opposed
the last clause vehemently. The contest
was bitter, but upon the final vote Mr..
Washburn stood alone, and the bill pre-
pared by Mr.. Sawyer, went before the
House. Here Mr.. Washburn renewed
his fight upon the bill, and was determin
ed that the Wisconsin river should not
receive any mere Government aid. But
he was ANONYMOUSLY beaten by Mr.. Saw
yer by vote of about two to one. But
Washburn had succeeded in so delaying
action, that it was found upon reaching
he Senate that there would not be time
20 pass it at that session. The Senate
Committee on Commerce than agreed to
hold over these appropriation bills, and
attach to the deficiency bill an appropri-
alton of one million dollars to preserve
and continue pubic works already in pro-
gress. Not contented with finishing his
work IN the House, Mr.. Sawyer looks af-
ter the fte of his little bills till they be-
come laws, and therefore ne soon learned of
this action Of the Senate Committee. He
Immediately went to General Humphries
the Chief of the Engineer Department,
and inquired whether such an appropri-
alton would furnish the necessary money
to carry on the works in this District
The General, after examination, replied
that one million dollars would not enable
him to reach the works In this state at all
| but if five hundred thousand dollars were
added, he would be able to keep our
works in progress this year. These facts
| MIR. Sawyer reported to the Senate Com
| mIttee, but they were 10th to change and
add to the BILL Mr.. S. then told them
that such a bill should not pass the House
unless the needs of this District were
cared for with others, and they finally
consented, if Senator Howe would pro-
pose the amendment upon the floor to ac-
cept 1t. This was done, and million
and half for such works attached to the
deficiency bill passed both houses and be-
| came law. Most emphatlcally then is
1t due to the personal exertions and infu-
once of Mr.. Sawyer that the means we're
provided to continue our public works this
Summer. And it is true, the democratic
papers to the contrary notwithstanding,
that the work is being diligently pushed
forward. The temporary stoppage at
! Green Bay, snesred at by the Oshkosh
Times, was only for few days to enable
the engineers better to do some of their
work. and not at all as intinated, for lack
of funds. .sl.a- .I--E
(And the report of stoppage on the
Manitowoc Harbor was the result of
democratic fnanciering to influence the
elections, but Gen. Humprles on arriv-
ing at this place ordered the work to pro-
ceed at once. EDS. MANTToWoC TRI-
BUNE.l sr-.v asr. se-
In the bin now pending in the Senate,
before mentioned, an. appropriation is
made and survey ordered of the Ocon-
to river, preparatory to asking Its inn
provement. This bill will undoubtedly
pass the Senate at Its next session.
Thus we have reviewed at some length
the prominent public benefits conferred
by Mr. Sawyer upon his District, and
which have earned for him the lasting
gratitude of its citizens. OF course it is
impossible to enumerate the thousand
and one cases continually arising where
a faithful, efficient and influential mem
Der can, and where Mr. Sawyer has aided
the public and private interests of his
constituents. All who have had any oc
casion to transact business in Washington
many even of Mr.. Sawyer's most bitter