New-York tribune., 1873-01-21
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE !

UNEXPECTED STRENGTH OF THEIR ADVO-
GATES.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Jan. 9O.-The Committee on Com
nerce to-day got the House 10 set apart the 18th OF
February for the consideration of certain bills now
pending in the Committee for improvements IN ~
land navigation. Mr.. Negley, who asked for TINS
special order did not specify what bills the Com
mittee wanted to report, but Mr. Shelabarger named
three of especial importance. They were the Vr-
gina Ship Canal BILL the James River and Kanawha
Canal bill and the bill for canal to connect the
waters Of the Tennessee and Savannah Rivers by
way of the Coosa River. in Georgia Neither of
these measures has been agreed to by the Commit
tee but it is fair to presume from the interest shown
IN them to-day, by the Chairman and Mr.. Negley,
that they will all be reported favorably. The over
whelmins majority of LOG to so, by which the House
granted TIE spe6ssl order, fnay Ss taken strong
tresumptive evidence of desire 10 pass
these gigantic schemes of internal Improvement
during the present session. The opponents
of these projects have not heretofore regarded them
AZ of immediate concern. snd have supposed that
they would not be brought forward for action at
this session. They were astOnished to-day, at the
strength that developed in favor of their early
consideration. There appears from this strong vote
TO be already some understanding established be-
tween the members representing sections interested
in contemplated improvements that tney snail unite
their forces and put them all through.
The Niagara bin provides that the Government
shall construct canal around the Falls by direct
appropriation from the Treasury and that no tolls
shall be levied upon vessels except such as NAV be
necessary TO ray the operating expenses and keep
the canal in good order. The estimated cost OF this
work is S120O0OOO
The James River and Kanawha Canal bill creates
n Board of CommissiOners-One to be appointed by
the President and one by each of the States of Iowa.
Missouri Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Ohio West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, who
are TO construct and control canal from Richmond
10 the Ohio River by the way of the James, jackson,
Greenbrier New, and Kanawha Rivers The States
Of Virginia and West Virginia are TO relinquish to
the United States all their interest IN the
James River and Kanawha Canal. and in the great
Kanawha River improvement. Government aid for
the work is to be furnished to the extent of
SsOOOOOO in bonds. This would be but small part
of the outlay necessary to complete the work. and
The Government will no doubt be called on for fur
ther contributions if the bill passes.
The third bill proposes a similar Government loan
for the construction OF the Atlantic and Great West
ern Canal TO connect the waters of the Tennessee
River with those of the Savannah, and thus make
great water highway navigable for steamboats, from
1t Louis and the Northwest to the Atlantic Ocean
at Savannah. The estimated cost of this work is
S3oOO0OOO which it is proposed the Government
shall advance controlling the canal by commission
ers and receiving the tolls until entirely reimbursed
for its expenditure Neither of these bills has been
fully considered by the Committee, and important
notifications may be made in them before they are
presented to the House for action.