The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-15

NEW re
~ Of Congress. II We snelczsd ); the diplomatic
CHIEF In envelope and Addressed to Mr.. Bodisco,
Of the Russian Legation together with note, ask
ing 'what does this meanr' This Ia brlef SOM
mary Of what Martin expresses himself willing to
communicate. 1t seems an extravagant story
throughout.
The Russian Observation-Disclosures smythe's
Chances Improving.
paper signed by Q large number OF the most
prominent merchants Of New York, urging the con-
nrmation OF Collector Smythe for the Russion Mis-
sion. was received by Senator Pomeroy today. The
paper is highly complimentary to Mr.. smyhte, and
has changed some votes in his favor. The latest
vass gives about f0rty-one votes In his favor.
Tho Niagara Skip Canal.
| A large portion Of the House session to-day was
consumed in the discussion Of the Niagara ship canal
| project This Is Van Horns pet scheme, which he
has nursed carefully until the present time in the
hope that some way or other he would find chance
to slip 1t through a. healthy child by means Of
nice clothes and good feeding The little infant, how
ever. was made to soueal considerably to-day under
the severe treatment Of DR.. Humphrey, who pulled
on its pretty dressings and submitted It TO exam
nation OF the naked truth. Van Horn had very
and he delivered the whole OF It, with only two or
three attentive listeners, however Including Hum
phrey, Of Buffao, and Judge Churchill. who Ia q
sort of godfather to the scheme. When Van Horn
concluded he was congraruated by Churchill and
wiped the perspiratlon from his brow. Humphrey
followed He had no speech prepared but spoke
with an energy and directness that commanded
the undivided attention Of the House. He made
quite sensation, and woke up all the advocates Of
the scheme, who vainly tried BY Interruptions
and dilat0ry questioning TO throw him or the
track. But he was too full Of the subject to be en-
barrassed BY such small trickery; and every inter-
ruption only seemed 70 bring him out more clearly
and pointedly. AS the subject IS likely to occupy
the attention Of Congress for few days, and is OF
interest to New Workers. 1t well to state what the
bill provides for. The principal provisions Of the
measure are found In the first section, as follows;
That ship canal be constructed, as military
States, around the falls Of Niagara, in the State Of
New York, commencing at some convenient
point on the Niagara river. above the falls,
below upon the same stream or upon the
shore Of Lake Ontario, which shall not be less than
face and ninety feet the bottom In earth cutting
and not less Nan one hundred feet wide in rock cut
feet depth Of water with locks not less than two
hundred and seventy-hve feet long and torty-six
e % IF
not less than twelve hundred tons burden; and for
that purpose the President Of the United states
shall have power and authority by engineers
any lands highways railroads and streams
necessary preliminary examinations and surveys,
and to enter upon and appropriate to the Of the
highways, railroads and streams Of water for the
construction OF such canal. with such dams guard,
Sag sO and
t0ns and fixtures as may be necessary for the safe
and convenient navigation Of the said canal and Its
nected Herewith and the proper use and discharge
of the surplus and waste waters thereof.
prIated to carry into effect Inc provisions Of this act
States mot otherwise appropriately; provided, that
the moneys hereby appropriated shall remain and
e = ne q the Of WAT ana sac
until the work herein provided for is completed, any
law or regulation to the contrary Notwithstanding.
To this Mr.. Humphrey oIers Q substitute, not
with any hope that 1t WIN pass, but In order to
kill or Van Horns darling scheme. 1t prog
vides for the appropriation Of $1o,o000o0 in
the bonds OF the United States, payable in
twenty years, and bearing interest at the
rate OF six per cent per annun, for the purpose Of
aiding the State OF New York In cnargng the water.
way and locks on the EriS and Uswego canals to q
capacity sucent to pass vessels at least thirty feet
In width and two hundred and nifty feet In length
from the Hudson river into Lake Erie and Lake On
tario with such additional new locks feeders and
alterations Of the channel Of said canals as may be
necessary for that purpose.
Reconstruction I'm Mississippi and Georgia.
General Gillem's testimony before the Reconstruc-
ton Committee to-day did not develop any new
facts concerning the manner in which the Missis-
sippi election was conducted nor the present
condition OF affairs in that State. He had
In oil 90 tn huf hat uvu nfofra d
in his report to General Grant. In answer to ques-
lions proposed by the members OF the committee he
said he had taken every precaution to have the cleo
ton conducted fairly and to prevent intimidation
upon the part Of the white employers towards their
black employees. He issued circulars OF instruction
to the various sher throughout the State but 1t Is
his impression that the sh ers were hostile to the
Reconstruction acts and did not carry out their in
structions. From all that he was able to learn he
thinks there considerable intimidation used In
different parts Of the State towards the blacks and
that on this account many OF them did not
vote. General Gillem Is to appear again before the
committee, when he will be examined touching the
disturbances alleged to have occurred IN the seven
counties OF the State where the enemies OF the State
constitution were in the majority The Reconstruc-
ton Committee will probably make report to the
House In week or ten days on the result of this
vestigaton into the condition OF Georgia and Msss.
sippi. The committee is by no means agreed among
themselves as to what should be done. Some of
them, and among the number MIR. Bingham, the
chairman, are opposed to new reconstruction OF
Georgia, believing that the testimony does not war
rant such and that her State constitution is
thoroughly republican In form and spirit. Those
who listen to the stories OF the Bullock faction 90
for reconstruction. The number OF these is be-
lieved to be small, because since the investigation
was commenced 1t has become apparent that the
object OF these men is TO have deal OF Offices
SO as to secure good ones for themselves and their
friends and TO get q chance to have revenge upon
political enemies. With regard to Mississippi It
Is thought that the best wav Il to throw
out the votes Of the seven counties where