The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-06-02

same In repair, and that the whole expense
OF the river improvements will then be borne
oy the Government out of appropriation,
made. .@n..s
IL l. worthy OF comment, and a just cause
ni PRIDE, that this Is almost the only instance
IN which the officers of the Government
nave so completely merged the discharge of
tbcir duties with the interests and officer4 nf
any corporate authorities, and it is proper
for lis to say that it has been done w ith the
full sanction of the War Department. under
whose authority these operations come.
Your Committee ask no further commell-
datlon OF their labors than this result. And
we would further call your special attention
to the fact that but for this arrangement the
balance OF the appropriation made by the
city would not have carried the improve
mrnt of the river through this years work,
while now we may feel assured of continued
appropriations from the Government that will
soon accomplish the great result which, for
20 many years, has been the dream and hope
Of our city-the free and unobstructed navi-
eaiion Of our river Tor all coastwi>e vessel$.
which will increase and afford an outlet to
our own manufactures and the vast pro-
duets Of the West which we are striving 10
hrirg to our doors. and thereby give us pIos-
pelly and wealth.
What we desire most especially to call
your atteltion to in this rcpcrt is the ncces-
sitv Of your Immediately m1king some pro-
vision by which the unexpended balance OF
the city appropriation shall be available for
the n,e of this Committee, and the funds set
apart in the hands of the City Treasurer to
enable us 10 carry out our arrangements
with the officers Of the Government, as they
have theirs. We estimate that the utmost
expenditure that will now he required OF
the city TO carry OH the river improvements
will not exceed one thousand dcl!ars pei
month for repairs of machinery and ncccs-
slry expenses, but it is absolutely essential
10 accomplish result. commensurate witt, the
amount Of the Government appropriations,
that we provide without further delay an
other Stcimug and more lighters for remoy.
Ing dredgcd material.
AS vii! be seen from our financial Stlte.
lncnt, our expenditures during the past tour
mouths have been exceedingly small, all cX-
peuses having been horne by the Govern.
ment. We have felt Tor some lime the DeceS.
sity of providing the additional machinery
TO carry on the work, but we have hesitat ed
and postponed entering into contracts tor II
srcm the fact that the city treasury has failed
to meet even ollr small demands upon ii
The matter can be delayed no longer with
out serious detriment to the Interests OF the
city. and we must Ec2 the Council either tc
make provisions at oncctO place to The credit
of the rycr.inl. rcycmcnt fund the untX.
pended balance Of appropriation, Or else tc
turn over IN this Committee the bonds re-
maInin. unsold. and allow us to make oul
own negotiations. tha! improvements 80 vita
10 the prosperity OF The city m1y not be in
| terrup'cd at the very moment Of success.
Your Committee cannot close this report
without acknowledging the great services o
their engineer, Major VIC. Turpin, i'll bring
inr the interest OF the river improvements
10 their present favorable condition. and
abiding ~ the iac' and lie not only has oul
rwn interest in charge. but also enjoys th'
confidence and esteem Of the Government
engineer Officers 50 FIR that he conducts the
work on their part also.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBlKT URDwAy, Chairman.