Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-14
WASHIN]GTON.
Financial.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13.-OutStanding
lesal tenders, S373, ,221, ,013.
The Committee on Ways and Means to-
day called on the President and Secretary
of the Treasury, in accordance with the
annual custom merely to pay their respects.
The subject of the finances was not men
toned.
Sir Hugh Allan, of Canada, is here with
his family.
A Blow at Public schools.
The National Civil Rights Convention,
which adjourned sine die late last night,
say, in an address, that they take it for
granted action will be had by Congress
protecting them from invidious distinctions
in the enjoyment of common carriers, ho-
tells, and other public places of convenience
and refreshment, and places of amusement,
and enjoying other civil rights, including
entrance to the public schools, without re-
gard to race. They want the denial of
these rights punished.
The Senate Committee on Appropria-
lions will hold meeting Monday TO con-
slider the special appropriation bill of four
millions asked for by the Secretary of the
Navy, which passed the House yesterday.
The committee will amend the bill, max
ing the appropriation five millions, the
amount originally asked for by the Secre-
tary, the amount appropriated by the House
not being sufficient to meet the necessities
of the navy.
Cheap transportation.
WASHINGTON, Dee. 13.-The meeting
called for this evening, in the hall of the
House of Representatives, TO compare views
on the subject of rapid and cheap transport
alton, was presided over by Representative
Dunnelk of Minnesota. Representatives
Clements, of Illinois, and Stone, of Mis-
souri,, were chosen secretaries. Fifty or sixty
Representatives were present; also Senators
Acon and Stevenson. Representative
Sypher read the call for the meeting, which
was signed by one hundred members. This
meeting, he remarked, was not for the pur-
pose of committing any individual to
any particular project. The East was in
terested in the question equally with the
West and South. Improvement of natural
channels was the first question to which
they should address themselves. These
would secure the end sought 10 a greater
decree, and at less expense, than any other
project of artificial means which could be
devised. After speaking Of the vast pro
ducts of the Mississippi Valley, showing
the excess of Western products seeking
Eastern and European markets, being in
amount over One-tenth of the gross yield,
these cereals were transported by three
great water routes, namely, the St.
Lawrence, Hudson and Mississippi
rivers. The storage freight rates per pushel
and time of transit was as follows, by the
St. Lawrence route: From Chicago to Liv-
erpOol, 40 cents per bushel and 53 days
time; by Hudson river route, 40 cents per
bushel and 50 days time; by the Mississippi
from st. Louis, 81 cents per bushel and 80
DAYS time. The ST. Lawrence and Hudson
routes are ice-bOund five months out of y;
whereas the Mississippi route is practicable
the entire wear. While hewas an advocate
and pressed the advantages of the Missis-
sippi route, he desired it to be distinctly
understood he did not antagonize with
other projects. OF the Fort st. Philip canal
he spoke strongly, showing the advantages
not only to the Mississippi valley but the
entire country.
Representative Harris spoke of the i'm
pTovement of the James River and ka-
nawha canal, which would afford the great
West an outlet to the sea, and would not
cost over - or 80 million dollars, a sum
not large compared with the benefits which
would accrue. Liverpool was a thousand
miles nearer by way of Norfolk than by
New Orleans. He was prepared, however,
to give proper improvement projects cordial
support.
Representative Cobb. of Kansas, said he
should like to know if this was not a eau
Gus Of members residing in the Mississippi
tion, and not the merits of the James river
and Kanawha canal.
Representative Burchard said he repre-
sented a constituency deeply interested in
the transportation question, and did not
suppose the object was to agree upon any
particular plan.
Representative Crittenden said he was
ready to cooperate with any, provided they
could carry their projects. Congress had
given millions to railroad companies, and
while lie did not make war upon them,
thought n;.W was the time for those living
in the Mississippi valley to apply to Con-
gresS to give them such assistance as would
develop the great resources OF the West
from where the Mississippi takes it rise TO
where it finds its outlet, and removing OBJ
structions at the mouth Of that river. He
hoped they would all agree before they left
Washington upon some plan.
Rep. Loughridge remarked the West had
power to obtain redress if its represen-
tatiyes would but unite. He wished to take
in the whole country and obtain such inn
provementS as would be Of national benefit.
The cost was nothing. His constituents
were farmers, and therefore must have an
outlet for their surplus produce.
Representative Stanard, said the facili-
ties for transportation have not increased
with the productions; there was not larger
number of through lines now from East tO
West than at the close Of the war. These
railroad lines have had a monopoly for
years. especially during the winter months,
when lake navigation was closed and river
navigation partly closed; and charged their
own price.
Representative Clark, of Kansas, wished
to offer a resolution declaring the meeting
in favor of the Government improving the
mouth of the Mississippi either by the con
struction Of the Fort st. Philip Canal or 9th
| erwiSe, as competent engineers deem feast
BILE, at the earliest practicable moment, as
the first great work Of internal improve
ment.
Representative Burchard said the meet
ing had no right to bind members to any
plan.
Rep. S;anard expressed the hope that nc
resolution would be offered, and proceeded
to show the object in view could be carried
out in no better way than by Improvement
of the Mississippi river.
Representative Clark, of Kansas, said the
time had come when the West would de-
monstrate that there is West. He was in
favor of the James river and Kanawha
canal: in favor of the St. Lawrence route
and the Atlantic and Great Western canal,
and favored improvement of the harDor ol
| Galvcst N; and now he asked his Eastern
friends to open up the Mississippi river tC
the people of that valley. lie then offered
the resOlut' on alluded to already.
After brief debate, the chair declared il
out of order; also, the resolution Of Repre-
sentative Fort, of Ills, providing for the
appointment of a committee to collect in
formation as to the facilities and cost OF
transportation to various proposed ways OF
communication.
Representative Fort said he had supposed
the object of the meeting was to put mat
ters in such a shape as would produce unity
of action and thus secure results.
RepreSen ative McNulta, Oflllmois, said
he had attended a cheap con-